PoliticsA primer

Primer: n. (prim-er or prahy-mer)

1. Any book or study of elementary principles

Politics

Politics: n. (pol-i-tiks)1. The art or science of

government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs.

“Who gets what, when and how.” -Harold D. Lasswell-

Politics

Politics: n. (pol-i-tiks)“Politics is the art of the possible”

“Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.”--John Kenneth Galbraith--

First Objective

Be able to explain all four types of governmental systems as explained by Aristotle

Aristotle

Greek philosopher Taught by Plato Was 5’ 9” 156 lbs

Aristotle

Greek philosopher from 5th century BC

Listed several forms of government

For each form there is a positive and negative version

Aristotle's types

A ruler (one) Exclusive multiple rulers (few) Inclusive multiple rulers (many) Everyone rules (all)

A ruler

Monarch, king Tyrant, dictator

Exclusive multiple

Aristocracy (rule of the wise, sometimes used synonymous with plutocracy)

Oligarchy (rule of the strong) Plutocracy (rule of the rich)

Inclusive Multiple Republic

(representative rule of the people)

Rotating: all citizens serve for a short time in government (farmer senator)

Elitist: small group of educated representatives who serve government as a career (lifetime senator)

Everyone rules

Democracy (people rule) Mobocracy (anarchy)

Full name Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu

Born Jan 18 1689, died Feb 10 1755

Wife Jeanne de Latrigue

Baron de Montesquieu

Devised an idea of checks and balances in government

Three forms of government supported by a social principleMonarchies (rely on

principle of honor)Republics (rely on

principle of virtue)Despotisms (rely on fear)

Baron de Montesquieu

Niccolo Machiavelli Author of The Prince Machiavelli is associated with

“dirty politics” Name used as an adjective

Example: “That was a Machiavellian take over.”

Quotes;“The ends justify the means”“It is better to be feared than

loved”

Machiavelli

Quotes:“A prince should imitate the lion

and the fox. The fox recognizes the trap; the lion frightens the wolves.”

By no means can a prudent ruler keep his word. Because [all men] are bad and do not keep promises to you, you likewise to do not have to keep your promises to them.

Second/Third Objectives

Explain why political philosophers theorized a state of nature

What is the social contract? Where did it come from? And why does it matter?

State of Nature Political philosophers created this

theory to explain why government is necessary

Dealt with what life would be like without government/lawsWho would enforce laws?Would there be laws?Who would look out for the weak?Who would rule?Would there be order?

Social Contract People give up absolute freedom to

gain protection, order, other freedoms Government gains power/authority by

agreeing to honor certain rights and provide protection

This creates a contractual relationship between the people and the government

Contract: agreement between two entities in which both sides agree to give up certain things in order to gain other things

Social Contract Theory

Government derives a mandate from the masses, not from some ceremony

Government “of the people” Source: Thomas Hobbes and

John Locke

Thomas Hobbes

Leviathan All people are selfish In the absence of authority (state

of nature) people will turn on each other

Life will be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”

Famously lampooned in Calvin & Hobbes comic strip

John Locke

Two Treaties of Civil Government Put forward the Social Contract

idea “The great chief end of men

uniting…under government is the preservation of their property [and so, their natural rights].”

Natural Rights: Life, Liberty and Property

Locke’s Theory• State of

nature existed before government

• People had total freedom

• But no protections for Natural Rights

• To protect natural rights they form government

• If government does not protect these rights they have an obligation to dissolve the government

Fourth Objective

Explain the Founders view of democracy.

Jefferson Declaration of

Independence Adhered to Locke’s

philosophy Changes Life,

Liberty and Property, to Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Founders and Framers

The founders were classically trained

Were fearful of tyrants They were also fearful of the

people Democracy was thought to be the

most dangerous form of government

Democracy is bad?

Famous Quotes:“A democracy is a government in

the hands of men of low birth, no property, and vulgar employments.” Aristotle

“A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” Thomas Jefferson

Democracy is bad? Famous Quotes:

“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” John Adams

“Real Liberty is not found in the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments. If we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy, or some other form of dictatorship.” Alexander Hamilton

Not exactly a ringing endorsement

Democracy is bad? Contemporary quotes:

“The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill

“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.” Churchill

“To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.” Louis L’Amour

“Democracy is dumb.” Kevin Barrows

Robert Dahl’s criteria for an ideal democracy

Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion

majority rule + minority rights

Fifth Objective

Explain the theories of our democracy and how the Founders made sure we had “just the right amount of democracy” in our system of government

Theories of Democracy Pluralist: numbers of groups that are

similar who press the government to look after their interests

Elitist: small group makes most important decisions (also called power elite)Three groups corporate heads, key

military leaders, some key government leaders

Bureaucratic: those who operate the government agencies really manage society

Marxist: all power is a result of economic privilege or status

Majoritarian: people as a whole vote on everything

We the distrusted people

Did the Founders trust us? The Constitution shows the

Framers basic distrust of the peopleElectoral CollegeUnelected Judicial BranchSenators appointed by the states

(originally, changed by 17th amendment)