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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.
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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
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.
