DEMOCRACY IN THE U.S.DEMOCRACY IN THE U.S.

DemocracyDemocracy

Gov’t by the people Two Types

Direct (How can people participate directly in government? How can they make laws?)

Indirect (republic; gov’t derives power from the people through representation)

Founders DistrustRoger Sherman- “People should have little

to do as may be with government” (Why? What characteristic, in men, were

the founders afraid of?)

Gov’t by the people Two Types

Direct (How can people participate directly in government? How can they make laws?)

Indirect (republic; gov’t derives power from the people through representation)

Founders DistrustRoger Sherman- “People should have little

to do as may be with government” (Why? What characteristic, in men, were

the founders afraid of?)

Founders MistrustFounders Mistrust

Benjamin Franklin: “There are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men: love of power and the love of money.”

Alexander Hamilton: “Men love power.”

Benjamin Franklin: “There are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men: love of power and the love of money.”

Alexander Hamilton: “Men love power.”

RepublicRepublic

Same as indirectSolves Problems of directSecures advantages of direct

Same as indirectSolves Problems of directSecures advantages of direct

Democratic TheoryDemocratic Theory

Majoritarian ViewLeaders influenced by people’s will (What issues are

currently influenced by popular opinion?)

Elite ViewMinorities Dominate policy making (Politicians?

Corporate Leaders? Military? )

Pluralist View (“Sometimes you win and…)Many groups compete for policy control

Hyperpluralist ViewGridlock occurs due to competition of groups (Tea

Party v. Latinos??)

Majoritarian ViewLeaders influenced by people’s will (What issues are

currently influenced by popular opinion?)

Elite ViewMinorities Dominate policy making (Politicians?

Corporate Leaders? Military? )

Pluralist View (“Sometimes you win and…)Many groups compete for policy control

Hyperpluralist ViewGridlock occurs due to competition of groups (Tea

Party v. Latinos??)

Fundamental Democratic Values

Fundamental Democratic Values

Popular Sovereignty (power is vested w/ people)

Respect for individualLiberty (Civil Liberties; Inalienable

rights)Equality (of opportunity)

Popular Sovereignty (power is vested w/ people)

Respect for individualLiberty (Civil Liberties; Inalienable

rights)Equality (of opportunity)

Fundamental Democratic Processes

Fundamental Democratic Processes

Free and Fair Elections

Majority rule w/ minority rights (Rights such as our civil liberties)

Freedom of ExpressionFreedom to Assemble/Protest

Free and Fair Elections

Majority rule w/ minority rights (Rights such as our civil liberties)

Freedom of ExpressionFreedom to Assemble/Protest

Fundamental Democratic Structures

Fundamental Democratic Structures

Federalism (shared power b/w state-federal)

Separation of Powers (Constitution)

Checks and Balances (within the framework of gov’t)

Constitutionalism (rule by constitutional government; according to written law)

Federalism (shared power b/w state-federal)

Separation of Powers (Constitution)

Checks and Balances (within the framework of gov’t)

Constitutionalism (rule by constitutional government; according to written law)