Unit 1: Dilemmas of Democracy
I. Defining Democracy
A. Originally very undesirable
1. Not used in either Declaration of Independence or Constitution
2. Meant “mob rule” definition: gov’t derives power from the governed – “gov’t
by the people”
B. 2 types
1. Direct Democracy (Ancient Greece) – most became dictatorships b/c of mob
rule
2. Representative: a republic – those in authority get and retain power by winning
free elections in which all citizens participate.
a. Madison, Federalist #10 – direct democracy flawed b/c no security,
rights of property and it doesn’t work!
C. Constitutional Democracy: those in elected office are Limited -- subject to
recognized and enforced limits.
1. “Constitutionalism” refers to checks and balances, federalism, separation
of powers, rule of law, due process, and the Bill of Rights
D. Democracy as an Ideal
1. Personal liberty: most powerful value in American History
a. Self-determination: key to liberty – all people must have the
opportunity to succeed
b. NOT just “freedom from” but “freedom of”
i. Freedom of – absence of constraints on behavior – freedom
to do something
ii. Freedom from – freedom from want and/or fear –the gov’t
is responsible for you
c. Respect for the individual – it is assumed that all “people” in the
“we the people” are rational and make rational decisions
i. Declaration of Independence: Jefferson “all men…are
endowed with certain inalienable rights…”
d. Equality of Opportunity: egalitarian thinking
i. Dif. Between equality of opportunity and equality of
outcome – were we always all equal?
e. Popular consent – legitimate gov’t derives power from consent of
those governed
E. Democracy as a structure: system of political structures that safeguard these
values
1. Constitution grants & limits gov’t power
2. 4 elements of the Constitution
a. Federalism – division of power b/w states and national
government
b. Separation of powers
c. Checks and Balances
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1. Judicial Review: interpretation of Constitution, enforces “Bill of Rights” –
guarantees liberties due to process of law
A. Dilemmas of Democracy
A.
3 Main concepts of gov’t – freedom, Order, equality
2. Freedom – freedom of, freedom from
3. Order – gov’t maintains order to provide security for you as a person and your
property
a. John Locke (1632-1704) – English enlightenment philosopher
i. Two Treatises on Civil Government (1690)
a. Basic objective of gov’t is to protect life,
liberty, property
b. INFLUENCED framers of Constitution
and especially Jefferson in the
Declaration of Independence
4. Equality: 2 Types
ii. Political equality: one person, one vote
iii. Social equality: wealth, education and status
1. Equality of opportunity: same chance
(affirmative action)
2. Equality of outcome: society’s responsibility to
see to it that opportunity used properly w/
correct results – redistribute wealth and status
(clashes w/ freedom)
B. Freedom v. Order – original Dilemma
1. How much freedom must citizen surrender to the gov’t?
a. Gov’t has to protect life and property – but crime rate is rising – more order
needed?
1.
People want more security (order) but are not willing to sacrifice their freedom to
do it
b. Ex: AIDS testing; banning hand guns
2.
by definition any policy that strengthens one takes away from another
a. Policy decisions result from people valuing one over the other
1. Ex: flag burning amendment
C.
Modern Dilemma – Freedom v. Equality (huge controversy!)
1. Usually values clash over social equality – promotion of someone’s rights
curtails someone else
1. Ex: school busing policy; 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act –
ramps required
2. Americans are much more likely to choose freedom over equality – b/c
we’re out for #1
D.
Theories of Gov’t
1) Autocracy – rule by one (dictatorship, king, etc.)
2) Oligarchy – rule by a few (China)
3) Democracy – rule by many
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E.
Two Theories of Democracy – 2 major schools of thought
1. Procedural view (process of decision making): concerned with HOW gov’t
makes decisions
1. 3 questions:
i. Who should participate?
ii. How much should each vote count?
iii. How many votes are needed to make the decision?
2. Who – universal part
3. How much =political equality
4. How many = majority rule (or plurality)
5. Responsiveness of elected officials based upon majority decision –
threat of defeat at next election
B. Substantive view: (Principle dems) – substance of gov’t policy – what is the
gov’t doing?
1. Requires gov’t policies to meet a basic criterion – must guarantee
civil liberties and civil rights
i. Liberty = behavior (speech, expression)
ii. Right = power or privilege (vote)
III. Political ideology – how does gov’t answer the dilemmas?
a. Political competition is crucial to democracy idea: opposing parties can
i. Exist
ii. Run candidates in elections
iii. At least have a chance of replacing those in office
2. Political ideology – consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper
purpose and scope of gov’t
a. Totalitarianism? Socialism? Capitalism? Anarchism?
3. Libertarians – oppose all gov’t action except that which is necessary to
protect life and property (very limited gov’t)
1. Freedom over order and equality
4. Liberals and Conservatives – middles
1. Liberals: gov’t support of social programs (education, poor/old;
environment)
i. Reduce inequalities in wealth
ii. Protect against non-gov’t forces
b. Conservatives: smaller gov’t; smaller budgets and fewer programs;
order over freedom
i.
Support free enterprise – noninterference (laissez faire); gov’t
should make laws to stabilize but not interfere (ex: global economy)
ii. Favor order over freedom and freedom over equality; personal
liberty over social equality
iii. Faith in the private sector
b. Communitarians: favor both order and equality over freedom;
i. Order and equality over freedom
2. More socialist – there is a role for gov’t to help the disadvantaged, but
only if it is the only way to achieve the goal (legally)
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C. Models of Democracy
1. Majoritarian model of democracy
ii. “Gov’t by the people” = majority of the people
iii. Key is popular election:
i. Choose wisely in the first place
ii. Re-elect or vote out based on performance
2. Relation to procedural theory (fulfills 4 principles)
i. Universal participation
ii. Political equality
iii. Majority rule
iv. Responsiveness = possibility of defeat
3. Flaw = assumes citizens are knowledgeable about politics and they
want to participate (22% say they follow politics)
4. Supports referendums and initiatives – election on policy issue put to
the people; puts policy issue on ballot or agenda by gaining a number
signatures
i. 21 states allow both; 5 states one or the other
5. Recall – signatures to dismiss elected official
2. Pluralist Model – “gov’t by some of the people”
Deals in reality of the electorate, not ideal
1. Based on pluralism – modern societies consist of innumerable groups
that share economy, religion, ethnic and cultural interests
2. Organize into formal groups
3. Interest groups spend time and money on policy issues – influence
politicians’ decision = “minority rule”
4. Gov’t operates through competing interest groups
5. Decentralized form = key to pluralism – multiple access points at
levels of authority
6. Ideal pluralism – all are allowed to organize but the best win out
3. Comparison
1. Majoritarian – mass public using electoral process (procedural) to
ensure gov’t makes decisions based upon majority – assumes there’s
knowledge
2. Pluralist – interest groups need to be knowledgeable; relies on
decentralized gov’t; allows for minority rule through many
“specialized groups”
4. Elite Theory = small group makes most important gov’t decisions –
wealthy businessmen
1. Argues U.S. is oligarchy b/c powerful few define issues on
Congressional floor
2. Differs from pluralism, which provides for many influential groups
that are ever changing as new issues come up
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