chapter 2 majoritarian or pluralist democracy?. learning outcomes 2.1 distinguish between the two...
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Learning Outcomes
2.1 Distinguish between the two theories of democratic government used in political science: procedural and substantive.
2.2 Compare and contrast the majoritarian and pluralist models of democracy.
2.3 Evaluate the challenges facing countries trying to move toward a democratic form of government.
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The Theory of Democratic Government
Ancient Greeks Classified Governments by Number of Citizens Involved in Process
Classifications Run as Continuum: Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy
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The Theory of Democratic Government
The Meaning and Symbolism of Democracy Democracy: ancient Greek
Demos = common people and kratos = power
What constitutes democracy: two views Democracy is a form of government Democracy is in the substance of government
policies
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The Theory of Democratic Government
The Procedural View of Democracy How government should make decisions:
Who should participate? How much should each vote count? How many votes needed for a decision?
Universal participation Political equality Majority rule
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The Theory of Democratic Government
A Complication: Direct Versus Indirect Democracy Participatory democracy – rare in U.S. E-government Representative democracy Responsiveness
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The Theory of Democratic Government
A Complication: Direct Versus Indirect Democracy Four principles of procedural democracy:
Universal participation Political equality Majority rule Government responsiveness to public opinion
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The Theory of Democratic Government
Substantive View of Democracy Substantive democratic theory
Substance of government policies, not procedures
Government policies should guarantee civil liberties
Disagreement: social vs. civil rights Conservatives – narrow view Liberals – broader spectrum
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The Theory of Democratic Government
Procedural Democracy Versus Substantive Democracy Substantive: no criteria for determining if country
is democratic Procedural: criteria can produce social policies
that clash with minority rights Choose to focus on either procedures or policies Compromise: balance legitimate minority and
majority interests
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Institutional Mechanisms Necessary for Democratic Government Establishing procedures and organizations to
translate public opinion into policy Elections Political parties Legislatures Interest groups
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Majoritarian Model of Democracy “Government by the people”: majority rule
Popular election of government officials Deciding government policy - initiative, referendum,
and recall
Assumes citizens are knowledgeable, want to participate, and make rational decisions in voting
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Alternative Model: Pluralist Democracy Pluralism – innumerable groups that share
economic, religious, ethnic, or cultural interest. “Government by the people”: people operating
via competing interest groups Two mechanisms:
Interest groups Decentralized structure of government
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Majoritarian Model Versus the Pluralist Model Majoritarian model: mass public control
Conclusive elections Centralized government Cohesive Political Parties with well-defined
programs
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Majoritarian Model Versus the Pluralist Model Pluralist model: interest groups control
Strong interest groups Decentralized government
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Undemocratic Model: Elite Theory Identified and stable minority makes most
important government decisions Control key financial, communications, industrial, and
government institutions Power derived from wealth Define issues and affect outcomes
According to elite theory, U.S. is an oligarchy Powerful few manage issues and constrain outcomes
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Institutional Models of Democracy
Elite Theory Versus Pluralist Theory Difference: durability of ruling minority Pluralist: struggle between competing interest
groups Wealthy groups have an advantage over poorer,
inadequately organized groups Critical weakness in pluralism: appears to justify
disparities Levels or political organization Resources among different segments of society
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The Global Trend Toward Democracy
Two Models of Democratic Government Majoritarian – no government achieves high
degree of responsiveness demanded by model Pluralist – no government offers complete and
equal access to all competing groups Some nations approach ideals closely enough
to be practicing democracies
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The Global Trend Toward Democracy
Establishing Democracies Governments meet some criteria for
procedural democracy and not others Global Trend toward democratization since
1975 Slight drop in recent years “Arab Spring”
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The Global Trend Toward Democracy
American Democracy: More Pluralist Than Majoritarian U.S. political system low according to
majoritarian model, but fits pluralist model well American people’s trust in government has
fallen Would Americans be more satisfied with
another form of democracy?
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