Weeks 1-2
Chps 1,2 & 3
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings
of the U.S. Government
(CR 1: 5-15% of course/exam)
Political Philosophies
• Neutral pov: Harold D. Lasswell—
everything you want and how you get it is
political
• Thomas Hobbes—man is evil—w/o
government control chaos would ensue
• John Locke--Rulers and citizens enter into
an agreement, or a social contract
• Government by the people, masses
The Purpose of
Government
• Maintaining Order
• Providing Services
• Promoting Equality
Political Power
• Power – ability of one person to cause
another person to act in accordance
• Authority – right to use power
• Legitimacy – what makes the law or leader
a source of “right”
What makes a
Democracy?
Principles necessary for a democracy to
exist.
1. Universal suffrage (everyone vote)
2. Political Equality (all votes counted
equally)
3. Majority Rule
4. Government responds to public opinion
Different types of
Democracy
•
•
•
•
•
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Republic
Constitutional Democracy
Constitutionalism
Can uneducated/poor
people be trusted?
• Direct Democracy – citizens create/vote
on laws
• Problems
1. Impractical for reasons of time, expertise
• How do you get 300 million people to vote multiple
times per day on issues they no nothing about?
2. Masses of people make unwise decisions
based on emotions (Hitler was elected)
Representative
Democracy (Republic)
• Citizens elect representatives
• Gov’t MEDIATES popular views
– “Will of the people” ≠ “Common interest”
• Reps are educated on issues at hand
• Prevents fast, sweeping change
• Minority rights more likely to be protected
Theories explaining how
democracies ACTUALLY
function
1. Majoritarian Theory
2. Pluralist Theory
= leaders are forced to follow the
wishes of the people because
majority rules
= groups compete and compromise
with each other to get the gov’t
to do what they want
3. Elite Theory
4. Bureaucratic Theory
= groups or people who possess
= appointed officials dominate the
the most more power (money or
gov’t through unelected jobs
influence) dominate gov’t
A Reminder…
• These are only theories. They are
people’s perception of our democracy and
the way it functions.
• Which theory is correct???
– Pluralist – most popular today
– Majoritarian – popular pre-1950’s
– Elite – rising since the 80’s (Michael Moore)
– Bureaucratic – gov’t spending more than ever
before just to run itself
•
In the Constitution as originally ratified in 1788,
the provisions regarding which of the following
most closely approximate popular, majoritarian
democracy?
a. Election of members of the House of Representatives
b. Election of members of the Senate
c. Election of the President
d. Ratification of treaties
e. Confirmation of Presidential appointees
•
Which of the following accurately characterizes the
main differences between elite theories and pluralist
theories of politics in the United States?
a. Elite theories concentrate on the role of interest groups; pluralist
theories
b. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all
policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities
compete for power in different policy areas
c. Elite theories argue that social status is the major source of
political power; pluralist theories argue that wealth is the major
source
d. Elite theories emphasize the multiple access points that interest
groups have to public officials; pluralist theories stress the
limits in the number and effectiveness of such access point
e. Elite theories view government as efficient; pluralist theories view
it as slow and wasteful
•
Which statement most closely reflects Thomas
Hobbes contention of humanity and
government?
a. Without government, society would live in a state of
nature and chaos would ensue
b. The consent of the governed is necessary for a
government to function properly
c. If the government fails to live up to its obligations, the
people have the right to rebel
d. A separation of government agencies is essential for
efficient government
e. It is better for strong leadership to be feared than
loved by the populous
•
Fiscal policies refer to the government’s
power to
a. Regulate specific industries
b. Tax and spend
c. Reapportion congressional seats
d. Control the supply of money
e. Enforce treaties