1
Chapter
One:
The
Democratic
Republic
Learning Objectives
2
 Understand why governments exist.
 Be familiar with and use appropriately the
terms: politics, government, and institutions.
 Understand the concepts of order (or security)
and liberty.
 Understand the concepts of authority and
legitimacy.
Learning Objectives
3
 Briefly describe several forms of government
(totalitarianism, authoritarian regime,
aristocracy, democracy).
 Understand the difference between direct
democracy on the one hand and a democratic
republic (a representative democracy) on the
other.
 Explain why the United States is a democratic
republic.
Learning Objectives
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 Explain the key features of democracies
(universal suffrage, consent of the governed,
majority rule, limited government).
 Describe competing theories of how the U. S.
democracy works (majoritarianism, elite
theories, and pluralism).
 Describe the trade-off between order and
liberty, and between equality and liberty (in the
form of property).
Learning Objectives
5
 Define the concept of ideology and explain the
dominant ideologies in the United States
(liberalism and conservatism).
 Distinguish between economic liberalism and
conservatism and cultural liberalism and
conservatism. Provide some distinguishing
characteristics of selected totalitarian
ideologies, specifically communism, fascism,
and radical Islamism.
Learning Objectives
6
 Understand current demographic trends in the
United States and assess the possible impacts
of these changes on the political system.
 Identify and explain the significance of the
cultural values and ideologies that support the
American political system.
 Evaluate the challenges to the U.S. system
posed by globalization and environmental
change.
Politics and Government
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 What is Politics?
 Process of resolving conflicts
 Struggle over power or influence within an organization
or informal groups
Politics and Government
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 What Is Government?
 Institution
that resolves conflicts
 Institution
that allocates benefits and privileges
Why Is Government Necessary?
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 Security
 Liberty
 Authority
 Legitimacy
Why Choose Democracy?
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 Types of Regimes
 Totalitarian
 Authoritarian
 Oligarchy
 Democracy
 Anarchy
Why Choose Democracy?
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 Direct Democracy as a Model
 Political decisions are made by the people directly,
rather than by their elected representatives.
 Attained most easily in small political communities
Why Choose Democracy?
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 Direct Democracy Today
 Initiative
 Referendum
 Recall
 Teledemocracy
Why Choose Democracy?
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 Dangers of Direct Democracy

Although the founders believed in government based
on the consent of the people, they were concerned
about mob rule.

Devised institutions to filter the popular will through
elected elites.
Why Choose Democracy?
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 Republic: sovereignty rests with the people.
 Democratic republic: power rests with the
people, but policy decisions are made by
elected officials.
Why Choose Democracy?
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 Principles of Democratic Government

Universal suffrage

Majority rule

Free and competitive elections

Limited government based on a constitution
Who Really Rules in America?
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 Theories About “Who Really Rules in America?”

Majoritarian Theory: government ought to do what the
majority wants.

Elite Theory: small cohesive group makes nearly all
political decisions.

Pluralist Theory: various groups compete for power.
Fundamental Values
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• What Is Political Culture?
• Political culture is a set of ideas, values, and
ways of thinking about government and politics
that are shared by all citizens.
Fundamental Values
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 What Is Political Socialization?
Political socialization is the process by which
beliefs and values are transmitted to new
immigrants and children.
Fundamental Values
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 Fundamental Political Values
Individual freedom
 Security
 Equality
 Order
 Security
 Property

Fundamental Values
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Political Ideologies
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 What Is Political Ideology?
A political ideology is a set of beliefs about
politics that provides a well-organized theory
about the goals for a society.
Political Ideologies
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Political Ideologies
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Political Ideologies
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 Liberalism: set of beliefs that maintains that
government should improve people’s lives,
support civil rights, and tolerate social change.
 Conservatism: set of beliefs that maintains that
government should have a limited role in
helping people, support for traditional values
and lifestyles, and a cautious response to
change.
The Challenge of Change
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Demographic Changes:
 Aging population
 Low birthrate
 Ethnic changes: growth of Hispanic population
The Challenge of Change
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The Challenge of Change
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The Challenge of Change
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Globalization:
 Impacts employment
 Impacts flow of goods and people
 Diminishes power of government
The Challenge of Change
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Environmental Changes:
 Global warming
 Pandemics
 Pollution
Web Links
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 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
information about the rules and requirements
for immigration and citizenship:
www.uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm
 U.S. Government
access to federal government offices and
agencies: www.usa.gov
What If…Citizens Were Required to Vote?
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 In the 2008 election, only 30% of the voting age
population elected Barack Obama.
 Groups that are less likely to vote include
younger voters, less-educated citizens, and
those who are economically disadvantaged.
 Mandatory voting could lead to policies that
help all citizens.
What If…Citizens Were Required to Vote??
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Unintended consequences of mandatory
voting:
 Increase in uninformed voters
 Voting would not be considered voluntary