Presentation on theme: "Democracy."— Presentation
transcript:
1 Democracy
2 What is a democracy? Aristotle’s definition: “rule of the many”
Majority rule (government by the people) Two types of democracies:1. Direct (participatory
democracy) “pure”2. Indirect (representative democracy)
3 Direct (participatory democracy)
All or most of the citizens participate directly in either holding office or making policy
(laws)Exists only in very small population sizes Exists in some small towns in the U.S. today
4 Direct (participatory democracy)
Allows citizens to make their own laws and rule themselves. (people make all the decisions)
Impractical in large populations or countries the founding fathers did not favor direct democracy
(un-educated masses) Time-consuming: most citizens lack the time, information, interest, or
expertise to make rational choices or political decisions Even highly educated people can be
manipulated by demagogic leaders who play on people's fears and prejudices
5 Direct Democracy Examples Today:
Referendum: The legislature (Congress) submits a proposed law to citizens (voters) during an
election Initiative: Citizens write and submit a proposed law to citizens (voters) during an
election after obtaining a required number of signatures (people take the initiative and write the
bill themselves).
6 2010 Propositions Arizona Proposition 203: Medical Marijuana
Yes: 841,348 (50%), No: 837,008 (50%) California Proposition 19: Legalizing Marijuana No:
5,333,230 (53%), Yes: 4,643,592 (47%) Rhode Island Question 1: State Name Change No:
250,466 (78%), Yes: 71,162 (22%)
7 2012 Ballot Measures (Washington State)
Referendum 74: (Allow Same-Sex Marriage) Yes: 1,527,272 (53%), No: 1,341,926 (47%)
Initiative 502: (Legalize Marijuana) Yes: 1,593,680 (55%), No: 1,279,005 (45%)
8 Indirect (representative democracy)
People elect officials to enact laws, policies, and political decisions for them in the Constitution
(a Republic). Works effectively in huge populations when bringing the full community together is
impractical.
9 Constitutional Democracy
A form of government in which political authority is defined, limited, and distributed by a body of
fundamental law known as a "Constitution," and the majority of the people have the power to
elect government officials according to the Constitution's provisions.
Constitutionalism: the belief that government power has limits that can be defined in a
constitution.
10 Basic Concepts of Democracy
Every person's inherent worth and dignity are recognized.
Respect for the uniqueness of each individual
A belief in majority rule and a commitment to minority rights
Acceptance of the need for compromise Insistence on the greatest feasible degree of individual
liberty (freedom against order) The people provide the government its power and legitimacy.
11 Dictatorship Autocracy: rule by one Oligarchy: rule by few All are authoritarian in nature
12 Theories of Democratic Government
Who has power? At the municipal, state, and national levels of government, who has power and
influence over public policy and decision-making? Pluralist Theory Elite Theory Bureaucratic
Theory Hyper-Pluralism Theory Traditional (Majoritarian) Democratic Theory
13 Theories of Democratic Government
Traditional Democratic Theory: The people hold the majority of power and control the
government through electing officials and representatives (Majoritarian). Pluralist Theory:
Interest groups vie for power in government, each advocating its own policy preferences and
agenda. Conflict between groups may arise, necessitating negotiation, bargaining, and
compromise; no one has the upper hand (Robert Dahl)
14 Theories of Democratic Government
Elite Theory: A small number of powerful elite (corporate leaders, top military officers, and
government leaders) form an upper class that rules in their own interests (C. Wright Mills).
Bureaucratic Theory: Modern governments' hierarchical structure and standardized procedures
allow bureaucrats, who carry out the day-to-day functions and workings of the government, to
wield real power over public policy (Max Weber)
15 Theories of Democratic Government
Theory of hyper-pluralism: Democracy is a system in which many groups have such clout that
government is frequently "tugged" in multiple directions at the same time, resulting in stalemate
and inefficiency (negative view, government is weakened)