Democracy!

What is a democracy?

A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing gov’t so that policy responds to public demands◦Founders despised pure forms of democracy

“Mob rule”The US has a representative democracy.

◦Elect people to make decisions for us.

Democratic Theories

Equality in voting: one person, one vote.

Effective participation: citizens must have efficient and equal ways to voice concerns

Enlightened Understanding: Free press and free speech essential

Citizens control the agenda: collective right to control agenda, not selective

Inclusion: All rights must be extended to those subject to the laws.

Ideas Cont.

Majority rule: Policies created must represent the will of over half of voters◦Restraints are created in order to protect

minority rights.Minority rights: majority cannot infringe

upon rights such as; speech, assembly etc.

Representation: will of the many is communicated through elected officials.

Influence of the many

Pluralism: many groups participate.◦No single group can dominate◦NRA, PETA, UAW all competing for gov’t attention.

Pluralist believe all people will be heard at some point in the decision making process◦“Nation of joiners”

Today many people join interest groups and lobbying activities.

Problems with Pluralism

Americans have started to decline in group participation◦Technology has caused less involvement

through isolation.More solo involvement than group.

◦Increase in bowlers, decrease in bowling league involvement

People are making more individual decisions, rather than group.

All of the theories!

Elitism: upper class America holds all power◦1/3 nations wealth held by 1%◦Some extremists say that it doesn’t matter who

rules, corporations hold power.Hyperpluralism: So many groups compete,

and stop the government from acting.◦Worried about offending these groups.◦Too many portions of gov’t have overlapping

powers, hard to coordinate.

Challenges to Democracy

Increased complexity of issues: issues problems beyond general population knowledge

Limited participation in gov’t: citizens not taking full advantage of opportunities to participate

Campaign costs: Connection between money and politics

Diverse political interests: hard to establish a majority interest

Political Culture of the US

Political Culture: set of values widely shared within a society◦Liberty: various freedoms◦Egalitarianism: equality of opportunity

¾ Americans are proud of the equality and fairness of the US

◦Individualism: the idea that people should and can get ahead on their own.

◦Laissez-faire◦Populism: rights of average person against the

elite

Gross Domestic Product

GDP: sum total of the value of all goods and services produced in a year◦We spend $3.8 trillion a year◦Employ 2.8 million◦ people