Empirical Theories
Modern Theories of Democracy
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Gov’t Systems
Definition (Who is
allowed to participate?)
Examples
Definition (How are
decisions reached?)
Examples
Monarchy
Constitutional Monarchy
Dictatorship
Oligarchy
Pluralism
Gov’t Systems
Pure Democracy
Representative
Democracy
Totalitarian Regime
Authoritative System
Constitutional System
Types of Government Systems
Democratic Theories
Who has Power?
The People - a
majority of people on
a particular issue
determine policy.
Civil Rights/liberties of
numerical minorities
are protected as well.
Democratic Theories
How Much Power?
No one group
constitutes a majority
on all issues.
Compromise is
necessary to get
enough agreement to
achieve a majority.
Democratic Theories
View of Government
and Politicians?
Government is the arena
in which compromises
are struck and the means
by which the will of the
majority on a particular
issue is realized.
Politicians are elected to
represent their
constituents.
Democratic Theories
How Influence Policy?
Attempts by different
groups to persuade a
majority of the people
to support their point
of view.
Democratic Theories
View of Public Opinion
and Media?
Public Opinion is
ultimate point at
which decisions are
made. The role of the
media is to provide
accurate information
to public so that they
can make decisions.
Pluralist Theories
Who has Power?
Certain Interest Groups (e.g. Labor Unions
& Corporations). Not all people in society
represented by interest groups & not all
groups equally powerful.
Pluralist Theories
How Much Power?
No one group dominates - but these
groups compete. Those groups with more
money & contacts have more power.
Pluralist Theories
View of Government and Politicians?
Government is the battleground on which
the interest groups compete to influence
policy.
Pluralist Theories
How Influence Policy?
Interest groups use lobbying and
campaign contributions to attempt to
influence politicians to their point of view.
Pluralist Theories
View of Public Opinion and Media?
Popular opinion can matter on some
issues (e.g. elections) so interest groups
buy ads to attempt to manipulate public
opinion on certain issues.
Elite Theories
Who has Power?
One core elite typically of the
wealthiest people.
Elite Theories
How Much Power?
One Elite has total
Control of American
Politics.
Elite Theories
View of Government
and Politicians?
Government is a tool of
the elite. All politicians
serve as pawns for the
interests of the
elite...Political Differences
are trivial and illusory.
The Elite determines
which candidate will win
in pseudo-elections.
Elite Theories
How Influence Policy?
Through ownership of
all key assets
including media &
through "pawns" in
the government.
Elite Theories
View of Public Opinion
and Media?
Manipulated by the
Elites through the
media.
Hyperpluralist Theories
Who has Power?
Many Interest Groups.
Hyperpluralist Theories
How Much Power?
Interest Groups have
so much power
nothing gets done.
Gridlock
Hyperpluralist Theories
View of Government
and Politicians?
Government is weakened
and unable to act.
Politicians give in to every
group so no policies are
created.
Hyperpluralist Theories
How Influence Policy?
Go to the courts if
they do not get what
they want from
Congress
Hyperpluralist Theories
View of Public Opinion
and Media?
Popular opinion can
matter on some
issues (elections) so
interest groups buy
ads to attempt to
manipulate public
opinion on certain
issues.
Challenges to Democracy
1. Increased Technology
– Changes how individuals get their
information (evening news v websites)
– Information is more easily available to public
– Increasingly difficult for individual citizens to
make well-informed decisions (too much
info)
Challenges to Democracy
• Limited Participation in Government
• How do Age and Education relate to
voting?
• Electoral requirements that decrease voter
turnout
– Citizenship
– Age
– Residency requirements
– ID requirements
• What are the four linkage institutions?
How do each connect citizens to
government?
Escalating Campaign Costs
• 2012 Presidential Election
– Obama $775.4 million
– Romney $460.2 million
• 2012 Congressional Election
– Ted Cruz $14,031,864
– Roger Williams $3,035,074
Explain how an increase in cost of elections
campaigns has contributed to the decline in
trust and confidence in government.
Diverse Political Issues
• Political gridlock
• Divided government
• Liberal v Conservative
Explain how divided government has contributed
to decrease in trust and confidence in government.
Consequences of the decrease in trust in
confidence in government for individual political
behavior