Read: Democracy or a Republic
What is the author’s viewpoint about our government?
Are there any point that you disagree with? Underline the
arguments for the type of government he believes we
have.
Roots of Democracy
Democracy is . .
•A system of government in
which citizens:
•Vote for their leaders
•Have specific rights and
responsibilities
Democracy came from many
sources:
The ancient Greeks :
In Athens, citizens voting
for their leaders became
common
“Civic virtue” became
important to many
philosophers.
The ancient Romans :
Developed the “rule of
law” common to all
citizens throughout the
empire
Developed advanced
forms of representative
government, before
evolving in to a
dictatorship.
The Bible:
Hebrew prophets
developed the idea of
all people being equal,
created in the image of
God.
The idea caring for the
weaker members of
society.
The Magna Carta
British Document
King John forced to recognize his power
was limited by the Barons
First step toward limited government
English Bill of Rights
Made Parliament
stronger than King or
Queen
Protected rights to trial
by jury
Outlawed cruel and
unusual punishment
Individual Rights
Mayflower Compact
Pilgrims signed it
Agreed to follow all
laws made by elected
leaders
Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut
Limited powers of
colony government
Powers not given to
colony given to towns
Similar to federalism
House of Burgesses
Founded at Jamestown
in 1619
First representative
body in the English
colonies
Served as a model for
other colonies
Two types of democracy
Direct democracy
Power vested directly
in the people
• All citizens take part in
each decision made
• Majority rule, no
protection for minority
Indirect democracy
Citizens elect
representatives to make
decisions for them
• This is also referred to
as a Republic
Definition of a republic: power rests in the body
of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by
representatives chosen directly or indirectly by
them. Protection by rule of law.
Key elements of Democracy:
1. Citizen Involvement
2. System of Representation
3. Rule of Law
4. Electoral System
5. Equality
6. Freedom, Liberty, and Rights
7. Education
13
1) Citizen Involvement
Direct Democracy: Citizens take part personally in
deliberations and vote on issues. Citizens debate
and vote on all laws.
Representative Democracy: Citizens choose (elect)
other citizens to debate and pass on laws.
14
Participation
1. Voting.
2. Political parties and/or interest groups.
3. Political meetings or public hearings,
discussing politics, calling your
representative.
15
Elitist theories of democracy
Proponents Say:
• Elites (usually “experts” but not
necessarily) should rule.
• Citizens choose between elite proposals.
• Result is a smoothly running and efficient
government and society.
• Politics is too complex for average citizens
to be able to create good policy.
16
Elitist theories of democracy
Opponents Say:
• Efficiency is not as
important as citizen
influence on policy
making.
• Average citizen is
capable of
understanding the
complexity of
politics.
17
Pluralism
Proponents Say:
• Competing interest groups check each
other’s power none become too strong.
• Protects citizens from centralized power.
• Recognizes, Protects, and Promotes
diversity of interests within society.
18
Pluralism
Opponents Say:
• Overriding interest remains: stay in power!
• Does not protect freedom unless freedom is
in the interest of the powerful.
• It maintains the status quo does not
provide opportunity to change an unjust
system.
19
Corporatism
Proponents Say:
• Interest groups are integrated into the
government.
• More harmonious interactions within
society.
• Interest groups help government make
policy that reflects the common good and
interests of the society.
20
Corporatism
Increases the
power of
unelected people
The concept is
irrevocably
tainted by
Fascism.
Reduces citizen
involvement
21
The “Iron Triangle”
Department of
Labor
(Government)
Business
Organizations
Unions
22
Participatory Democracy
Low voter turnout should not be “rationalized.”
Advocate “Citizen Law Makers” People are
more likely to follow laws they help make.
If we must have representative democracy then we
must create incentives for more participation.
For example:
1. Term limits
2. Recall Elections
23
Participatory Democracy
Opponents Say:
Impractical in large republics
Policies will less often be made by experts
24
2) A system of Representation
• Citizens delegate power to representatives
to act for them.
Based upon the 2010 census there is one
representative for every 710,767 citizens.
25
Should representatives simply reflect the
interests of its constituency or should they be
independent agents?
Edmund Burke (1729-1797): representatives
are independent agents.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): “Any
law which the people have not ratified in
person is null, it is not a law.”
26
3) Rule of Law
Law is supreme,
nobody is above the law, even those
who make law
against divine right
doctrine
popular sovereignty—all power
emanates from the people.
27
4) The Electoral system
Conflict over procedure of choosing
representatives
Electoral process begins with the selection
of candidates—But how does one become a
candidate?
Importance of access to information.
Result of not voting is the transference of
political power to others.
28
Majority Rule
%50 + 1
What happened in the 1992 election?
US system is “Winner take all” or “first past
the post”.
Result: Minority view is not represented
31
In Europe
Proportional representation
Seats are allocated in the legislature on the
basis of percentage of votes cast for party
A=%35 B = %30 C= %25 D = %10.
Governments are formed in coalition with
other parties in order to make %50 + 1.
32
Minority Voice
Some rights can’t be taken away by the
majority.
In the USA, government cannot take rights
away without 2/3rd house and senate and ¾
of state legislative
33
5) Equality
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Definition: sameness in relevant aspects
Disagreement over definition:
political equality
equality before the law
equality of opportunity
economic equality
equality of respect or social equality;
34
Natural Rights and Civil Rights:
Natural Rights:
Rights a person has
a human being
Civil Rights: Rights
derived from
government.
35
How do we limit Government?
Frequent elections
Watch dogs
Civil disobedience
Protest
Revolution
36
Compare the US and Japan
Look at all of the information about Japan
and the United States
In pairs answer the questions about the
democracy in the two countries