an introduction to democracy. two key questions will guide our study of american democracy: who...
TRANSCRIPT
An Introduction to Democracy
Two key questions will guide our study of American democracy:
• Who governs? – Those who govern will affect us.
• To what ends? – How will government affect our lives?
American Government and Politicians in Context
Why does such a gap persist between our image of the ideal
politician and our views about actual politicians?
Bush’s Approval Ratings
Defining Democracy
Democracy
Government by the people, either directly or indirectly, with free and
frequent elections
Direct Democracy
Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials
more directly
Representative Democracy (a.k.a. a Republic)
Government that derives its powers indirectly from the people, who elect those who will govern
Constitutional DemocracyGovernment that enforces recognized
limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through
free, fair, and relatively frequent elections
Democracy as a System of Interacting Values
Equality of Opportunity
Popular Consent
Personal Liberty
Respect for the Individual
These basic values of democracy do not always co-exist happily
Democracy as a System of Interrelated Political Processes
• Free and fair elections
• Majority rule
• Freedom of expression
• The right to assemble and protest Citizens standing in line to
vote
Democracy as a System of Interdependent Political Structures
The five distinctive elements of the U.S. constitutional system
FederalismSeparation of Powers
BicameralismChecks and Balances
Bill of Rights
The Paradox of Democracy
When the German people voted Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party into power, did majority rule give the Nazis free rein to restrict the individual liberties of the people?
The paradox of democracy balances the principle of majority rule against
the principle of individual liberty.
Democracy Around the World
• Recent American-encouraged democratic elections in countries such as Lebanon and Palestine have produced results with which America was not pleased
• Plus, democracy in Iraq has not, as of yet, produced the effects our government originally intended
Freedom and Democracy around the World
In 1950, there were 22 democracies.In 2000, 120 countries were considered democracies.
4 Theories of Government
1. Marxist theory: Those who own the means of production (the capitalists), controlling the economic system, will control the government
4 Theories of Government (cont’d)
2. Elite Theory: Societies are divided along class lines and an upper class elite will rule and make all important decisions, despite the formal organization of govt.– This elite originally consisted of a coalition of
corporate leaders, top military officials, and a few elected officials
– Now some also add major media owners, top labor union officials, and heads of major interest groups
4 Theories of Government (cont’d)
3. Bureaucratic theory: Appointed civil servants (career government workers) control the government, without consulting the public.– These civil servants don’t just implement
policies, they make them to suit their own needs and interests
4 Theories of Government (cont’d)
4. Pluralist view: Competition among all affected interests shapes public policy decision-making– It’s impossible for just a few elite groups to
dominate because today political resources are so widely scattered and available
• Hyperpluralism: theory that groups are so strong that govt. is weakened to the point of not being able to act
Who Really Governs in a Democracy?
Pluralistic View
The belief that democracy can be achieved in a large, complex
society by competition, bargaining, and compromise
among organized groups, and that individuals can participate in
decision making through membership in these groups and by choosing among parties and
candidates in elections
Elitist View
Believes that complex decisions need to be made free of public
pressure. The masses should be “spectators” in
the process
Who Really Governs in a Democracy?
“Government is always government by the few, whether in the name of the few, the one, or the many” -Harold
Lasswell (political scientist)
Public Opinion about Who Runs the Country
Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?