AP AMERICAN GOV’T

DILEMMAS OF DEMOCRACY

Government

Government is the legitimate use of force within specific geographic boundaries to control human behavior.

The oldest objective of government is to protect life and property.

Public goods are those things provided for free by the government.

Examples include sanitation, education, highways, etc.

DEMOCRACY

Democracy was originally considered undesirable. It meant “mob rule”.

Gov’t derives its power from the governed.

The word is not used in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence.

SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

Thomas Jefferson (based on John Locke’s principles)

We, as citizens, enter into an agreement with the government allowing it to create rules that set boundaries for our behavior and protect our life, liberty, and property.

If the gov’t goes too far w/ that power, we as citizens can dissolve that government.

TWO TYPES OF DEMOCRACY

Direct- used in Ancient Greece. People en mass decide every issue regarding the gov’t. Fairly impractical in larger societies.

Representative- (Republican form of gov’t) - the people elect leaders to represent them in gov’t and make decisions on their behalf.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

If those who we elect do not listen to our wishes, we have the ability, and responsibility to vote them out of office.

Unfortunately, we do not participate, for various reasons, so our elected officials generally ignore us.

James Madison had a take on representative democracy that he noted in Federalist paper #10.

FEDERALIST #10

Madison said that “factions” (groups) would arise, and form, in an effort to take control of the government.

This would be good because all ideas would be presented and the best idea benefiting the greatest number of people would ultimately prevail.

Due to the lack of participation of the people, modern times views these factions as interest groups who influence most policies passed by government officials.

DEMOCRACY AS AN IDEAL

Personal Liberty- most powerful value in American history.

Self determination- everyone must have the opportunity to succeed.

Americans favor equality of opportunity NOT equality of outcome.

We are NOT for economic equality. Popular consent- gov’t dervies all of its power

from the consent of the governed.

ELEMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION

Separation of powers- this established the individual powers of the three branches.

Checks and balances- this prevents any of the three BRANCHES from gaining too much power.

Federalism- established the power of the LEVELS of gov’t (Federal vs. State)

Due process- All citizens are treated equally by the law

THREE CONCEPTS OF GOVERNMENT

The three concepts of government are freedom, order, and equality.

The original dilemma of democracy pits FREEDOM VS. ORDER.

As citizens, how much of our freedom should we give up to ensure that we are protected by the government.

How has this changed since 9/11?

FREEDOM

FREEDOM FROM VS. FREEDOM OF Freedom of = rights that cannot be taken from

you. Examples- freedom of speech, religion, etc. Freedom from = what the gov’t is responsible

to provide for you. Examples- freedom from fear, want, hunger. The government is responsible to provide

things equally to all of its citizens

ORDER

The government maintains order and security for your person and property.

Based on John Locke’s “2nd Treatise on Government”.

Basic objective of government is to protect life, liberty, and property.

HUGE influence on Declaration of Independence and the founding fathers.

EQUALITY

TWO TYPES Political equality- one person, one vote Social equality- determined by wealth,

education and status. Those with more social equality have

more power.

Modern Dilemma of Gov’t

FREEDOM VS. EQUALITY How much of our freedom should

citizens give up to ensure that all citizens are treated equally.

Very controversial Examples: school busing, ADA of 1990,

social services (entitlements) People favor Freedom over equality

Two theories of government

Procedural view (process democrats)- concerned with how government makes decisions.

3 questions: 1) who participates? All citizens 2) How much should each vote count? Political

vs. social equality 3) How many votes are needed to make

decision? Majority vs plurality. Responsiveness of elected officials based on

participation of citizens.

Substantive view of democracy

Also known as principle democrats Substance of government policy- what

is the government doing? It requires that all government policies

must meet a basic criterion- they must guarantee civil liberties and civil rights.

Liberty- behavior (speech,expression) Right- power of privilege (vote)

Models of Democracy

Majoritarian- government by the people Key is popular election: 1) choose wisely 2) re-elect or vote out based on performance FLAW- assumes citizens are knowledgeable

and want to participate Closest we have at national level is during

presidential elections (>50% voter turnout)

Majoritarian democracy

Three examples at the state level 1) initiative- puts policy issue on ballot by

gaining signatures 2)Referendum- creates a vote to remove a

law based on signatures. 3) recall- removing an elected official through

a vote of the people (after petition) States differ in which they allow.

Pluralist Model

Pluralist model of democracy is government by some of the people

Groups compete against each other to gain power and influence policy.

They form based on shared religion, ethnicities, culture, occupation, beliefs, etc.

They usually form into interest groups They spend money, time, and resources to

influence policies to benefit their group. They can have influence at all levels of gov’t (fed,

state, or local).

ELITE THEORY

Small identifiable group makes most important gov’t decisions.

Examples: 1) Wealthy corporations control the agenda 2) Military industrial complex- they trump all

groups in time of conflict 3) mass media- controls flow of information;

pushes liberal agenda

Summary of theories of democracy

Majoritarian

RARE

Pluralist

Most common

Elitism

Most powerful

Government by all the people

Government by some of the people

Government by a few of the people

Citizens band together to control policies.

Interest groups compete for power based on policy.

Same powerful group controls policies when it wants to.

Political Ideology

Definition- consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government.

The continuum stretches from anarchy (no government) to totalitarianism.

Most of the argument in American politics takes places in the center of this ideological continuum.

Main ideologies of USA

Liberals- Equality > freedom > order Support social programs, environmental

policies, stronger federal government Conservatives-order>freedom >equality Support national defense, stronger state

government, free enterprise

Other ideologies

Libertarians- Freedom > Equality & Order

Oppose all gov’t action except which is necessary to protect life and property.

Communitarians- Order & Equality > Freedom

More socialist in nature.