Chapter One
Deliberation and Citizenship in Service
of Freedom and Democracy
American Government and Politics: Deliberation,
Democracy, and Citizenship
Chapter One: Learning Objectives
•
Describe the difference between a
“deliberative” democracy and one
based on self-interest
•
Define democracy and describe the
various forms it can take
Chapter One: Learning Objectives
•
Explain the key principles of the
Declaration of Independence and
describe some ways in which they
have influenced American history
•
Describe what liberal democracies are
and how they compare to other kinds
of political systems in the modern
world
Chapter One: Learning Objectives
•
Explain the knowledge that citizens
should have to contribute to decisions
about the common good in the United
States
Introduction
How to study politics
•
Politics is “who gets what, when, how”
•
Government officials do not always make
decisions based on their self-interest
•
Need to consider political actions that benefit
the “public interest”
Introduction
How the pursuit of public interest works
1.
Affects a variety of political activities
2.
Policymaking relies on voluntary
compliance with law
3.
A healthy political community requires
volunteerism
Citizenship and Deliberation
Civic virtues important to citizenship
•
Self-restraint
•
Self-reliance
•
Civic knowledge
•
Civic participation and service
Citizenship and Deliberation
What does deliberation mean?
Do you believe citizens have a
responsibility to contribute to
deliberations about politics,
governance, and the common good?
Theories of American Democracy
Competing theories of democracy
•
Group theory
•
Pluralist theory
•
Elite theory
•
Rational choice theory
Democracy
What is a democracy?
What is the difference between a direct
and representative democracy?
What type of democracy do we have in
the United States?
Democracy: The Democratic Tradition
in the United States
Local self-government was prevalent in
the colonies, but it was not practical to
practice direct democracy beyond the
local level. Representatives were sent
to colonial legislatures.
There were restrictions placed on voting
so not every citizen had a voice in
government.
Democracy: Why the Framers Chose
Representative Democracy
Why representative democracy?
•
Direct democracy may be dangerous
•
Representative democracy allows for
deliberation
•
Representative democracy may include “a
greater variety of parties or interests”
Democracy: Direct Democracy in
Modern American Politics
Tools of direct democracy in America
•
Initiatives
•
Referendums
The Progressive movement fought to empower
citizens with tools of direct democracy.
Democracy: Applying the Definition:
Rule by the People
What is popular sovereignty?
Maurice Savage/Alamy
Freedom and American Democracy
What are some of the key principles of
American democracy stated in the
Declaration of Independence?
Do you believe those principles of
democracy have always been
promoted by the actions of
government?
Myths and Misinformation
The Fate of the signers of the Declaration
of Independence
•
In 2000, a story spread about the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. However, that
story contained many false statements
•
See page 12 for actual information about the
fate of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
We hold these truths to be self-evident
This means that the truths are “evident without
proof or reasoning”
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
That all men are created equal
Has the government always treated all men
equally?
What are unalienable rights?
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
All people are entitled to natural rights
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
To secure these rights, governments are
instituted among men
To what extent do we need government in our
lives?
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
Deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed
What is the difference between active consent
and tacit consent?
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
It is the right of the people to alter it or abolish it
How may citizens alter or abolish government?
Freedom and American Democracy:
Expressing the American Mind
Key principles of the Declaration of
Independence
•
Prudence, indeed, will dictate
We value the ability of our political leaders to
use good judgment to make wise decisions to
promote the public interest.
Pledges and Promises
The solemn oath of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence
•
Fifty-six men signed the Declaration and
committed to the following pledge:
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a
firm reliance on the protection of divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other
our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Freedom and American Democracy:
Universal Principles
The Founding Fathers believed that
fundamental principles of democracy
and governance would not change
over time.
How does the Founders’ view differ from
the ideas of moral relativism and
cultural relativism?
Freedom and American Democracy:
Different Levels of Rights
What are the different levels of rights?
•
Natural rights
•
Civil rights
•
Political rights
Democracy and Freedom in the
Modern World
What are liberal democracies?
What are some of the basic elements of
liberal democracies?
Democracy and Freedom in the Modern
World: Growth of Democratic Institutions
With the end of the Cold War, liberal
democracies increased around the
world.
From WWII to the end of the Cold War,
there was a clash between liberal
democracies and communist systems.
International Perspectives
Challenging repression in Burma
•
Burma has been accused of abusing rights of
citizens (see page 21 for a complete list).
•
Aung San Suu Kyi has challenged the abuse
and, in 1991, won the Nobel Peace Prize.
However, she has been under house arrest or
other restrictions since 1989.
Democracy and Freedom in the Modern
World: Growth of Democratic Institutions
A new emerging threat to liberal
democracies around the world is
terrorism committed by radical Islamic
groups such as al Qaeda.
Radical Islam and communist systems
are examples of totalitarianism.
Democracy and Freedom in the Modern
World: The Rule of Law
In order to ensure that
individual rights are
protected, the
principle of rule of law
must be firmly rooted
in liberal
democracies.
ThinkStock/SuperStock
Democracy and Freedom in the Modern
World: Embracing New Goals
Promoting social welfare has emerged
as one of the important functions of
modern American government.
Do you believe that there are controversies over the role of government
in promoting social welfare? What
are some of those controversies?
Citizenship and Deliberative Democracy
In order for a democracy to function
well, citizens must be educated about
their rights and responsibilities.
The New York Public Library/Art
Resource, NY
Deliberation, Citizenship, and You
Direct democracy in the Internet age
•
Should we begin to practice direct
democracy in the Internet age?
•
What are some advantages or
disadvantages of direct democracy
through the Internet?
Summary
•
Americans seek to promote the “public
interest” not just self-interest
•
One important purpose of government
is to secure the rights of citizens
•
Educated citizens are necessary for a
democracy