chapter one: the democratic republic. politics and government politics is the struggle over power...

Chapter One: Chapter One:

The Democratic RepublicThe Democratic Republic

Politics and Government• Politics is the struggle over power and influence

within organizations or informal groups that can grant benefits and privileges.

• Process of deciding who gets what, when, and how

• Politics occurs in many areas of life: church, schools, social groups even families.

• Government is an institution that performs certain functions for society.

• Institution is an ongoing organization that performs certain functions of society

• Resolves conflicts or allocates benefits/privileges

Copyright 2012 Cengage Learning 2

Why Is Government Necessary?Rousseau – said that people are born

good and society corrupts the individual; you correct societal ills, you “fix” the person!

Do you agree or disagree with Rousseau’s quote? (write YES or NO on white boards then explain you answer underneath your response)

3

Lord of the Flies – William GoldingView the following clips. As you watch the clips from

the 1963 adaptation of the novel, compare and contrast the “security” on the island. Remember, all boys were brought up in an “up to do”/ “well-mannered” English home.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F4wCNLYLOM&fe

ature=bf_next&list=PL31A36794F324CBE5

Lord of the Flieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3zzsPxSmBM&featur

e=BFa&list=PL31A36794F324CBE5Piggy’s quote: "Which is better--to have laws and

agree, or to hunt and kill?““But what is government itself but the greatest

of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” – James Madison-

After viewing clips, what was different between the first and second clips? Write on white boards.


JACK AND POWER “Shut up,” said Ralph absently. He

lifted the conch. “Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things.”

“A chief! A chief!”

“I ought to be chief,” said Jack with simple arrogance, “because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.” (1.229-231).

Analysis: Jack’s desire for power is no product of the island; this is a trait that he’s had from the start.

Jack’s face swam near him.

“And you shut up! Who are you, anyway? Sitting there telling people what to do. You can’t hunt, you can’t sing –”

“I’m chief. I was chosen.”

“Why should choosing make any difference? Just giving orders that don’t make any sense –” (5.238-241)

Analysis: Democracy has no value for Jack. His ambition blinds him to the point where he sees no “sense” in Ralph’s grounded and reasonable orders.

Power and AuthorityWhat is the difference?POWER: involves the use of coercive force to make

others yield to one’s wishes even against their own will

AUTHORITY: achieved by virtue of character that others are motivated to follow willinglyIn order for governments to exist, they must have authority or power, which is the ability to produce effects on others or the potential to influence others [e.g. power over nations, states, cities, schools, classrooms, athletic teams, gangs, individuals].

Somalia• To understand the need for government, it

is best to evaluate circumstances in which it does not…

• no central government since 1991..civil wars, famine…would you feel secure if you lived here?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADdLCQuDWrY

So…why is government necessary?


• The Need for Security• Societies need order, a state of peace and

security…maintaining order by protecting members of society from the violence of foreign entities and criminal activities is the oldest purpose of government• Afghanistan: the ruling Taliban had supported al

Qaeda, which organized the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2011…the US and other nations intervened to overthrow the Taliban regime

• The loss of security in Afghanistan – the new government has never fully gained control over the Taliban, and it citizens have had no sense of order or security

• Limiting Government Power• Too much government is much more common

problem• In 2011, 47 countries were identified as “not free”

by human rights organization…controlled by dictators, oppressive parties, or military rule• http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

• Societies need protection from government abuses

• Liberty – greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals

Authority and LegitimacySocieties need authority – the right and power

of a government to enforce its decisions and compel obedience Must be broadly accepted by the people in order

to have legitimacyExamples: Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya gradually lost

legitimacy and in two cases (by 2011) their authority

Democracy and Other Forms of Government

• Types of Government• Totalitarian – one person/small group controls EVERY

aspect of society (dictator)

• Authoritarian – one person/small group only controls aspects of government (churches, etc. not controlled by government)

• Aristocracy – rule by the best, which means wealthy

• Theocracy – rule by self-appointed religious leader (Iran)

• Oligarchy – rule by a few

• Democracy - rule by the people 13

Democracy and Other Forms of Government

Direct DemocracyGovernment and laws derive their legitimacy from the

consent of the peopleExample: Connecticut – towns/schools and budgets voting

process

Examples of Direct Democracy in the U.S.Initiative – allow voters to propose a law or a constitutional

amendment (Mississippi had three initiatives on ballot in 2011)

Referendum – allow voters to approve or disapprove of legislative or constitutional measures

Recall – allow voters to decide whether to remove an elected official from state office (recent case –Wisconsin)14

Dangers of Direct DemocracyWhile the framers believed in government based on

the consent of the people, they were highly distrustful of a “pure democracy” that might be prone to the lure of demagogues, abuse the rights of the minority, or deteriorate into instability and mob rule.

The Founders created institutions to filter the will of the people through elected officials.


Indirect Democracyconsists of a society which elects it’s leaders and

representatives

Also called a representative democracymost popular government by farCan still be a monarchy (as with Great Britain) but the

monarch remains a ceremonial roleDemocratic republic – representatives elected by the

people make and enforce laws/policies (have no king/queen)


A Democratic RepublicA republic in which representatives elected by

the people make and enforce laws and policyBased on popular sovereignty (rule by the people)

“We the people…”United States is considered a democratic

republic

Constitutional DemocracyLimited government - governing powers are clearly

restricted (written documents or shared beliefs)


A Democratic RepublicPrinciples of Democratic Government

Universal suffrage (everyone’s vote counts equally) U.S. – developed over time; rights of all adults to vote for their

representatives in government

Majority rule but with minority rights Majority needed to make fair decisions Majority rule means that the greatest number of citizens in any

political unit should have the power to select officials and determine policies

Free and competitive elections

Copyright 2012 Cengage Learning18

CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITY - DemocracyDecide if each scenario represents ideal democracy.Write YES or NO on your white board (if called on in

class, be able to explain answer).

19

1) Elections in the U.S. are characterized by low voter turnout. Mid-term elections draw approximately 30% (or fewer) of registered voters to polls. Presidential elections draw approximately 50% (or fewer) of registered voters to the polls. This and the fact that we often have more than two candidates for office often means that our presidents win less than a majority of the vote. For example, when President Clinton was elected in 1992 he won the election with 40% of registered voters or about 29% of the population.

DOES THIS REPRESENT AN IDEAL DEMOCRACY?

2) Special interest groups are a primary source of campaign funding. Most special interest groups contribute to incumbents (those presently in office), making it difficult for challengers to raise the amount of money that is necessary to have a chance at winning. In fact, on average, 95% of all current members of Congress (incumbents) win their seats.


3) Individuals, interest groups, and corporations who contribute money to electoral campaigns have access to political leaders that ordinary Americans do not. With this access, they might have the ability to influence the lawmaking process.

Examples: AFL-CIO (union) and NRA (National Rifle Association) donating to Congressmen to get pro-union laws and pro-gun laws passed.


4) The President of the United States has the power to issue Executive Orders that have the effect of law. There is no immediate check on this power: it is a power outside those given to the President in the Constitution. Virtually every President has used the Executive Order (FDR interned the Japanese Americans through an executive order).


What Type of Democracy Do We Have?Theories of American Government (three theories

that explain how the U.S. democracy actually works (or should)…each theory highlights a different facet of the true reality)

Majoritarianism – political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want

Elite Theory – argument that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest; larger population has little impact on the decision-making process

Pluralism –views politics as a conflict among interest groups; political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise (will study int. groups later) 24

What do you think bind us together (what we value)? (list on board)free enterpriseCivil rights/civil libertiesDiverse ideasRule of lawWritten ConstitutionEqualityIndividualism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbqs7vfOIok

Fundamental Values of American DemocracyPolitical culture is a patterned set of values

and way of thinking about government and politics.

Political socialization is the process by which political beliefs and values are transmitted to immigrants and children, mainly through families and schools


Fundamental Values of American DemocracyLiberty versus Order

Civil liberties and found in the Bill of Rights Civil liberties – personal freedoms that are protected for all

individuals

Personal freedom and right to privacy can often come in conflict with order and security


Fundamental Values of American DemocracyEquality versus Liberty

Equality – idea that all people are of equal worth; equality as an individual, under the law

Equal opportunity – has substantial support Economic equality – more controversial (in 1800s, some

advocated universal equality in which wealth was more evenly distributed)

Property rights and capitalism


Fundamental Values of American DemocracyThe Proper Size of Government

(decentralized government…separation of powers/checks and balances)Big government in times of crisis…9-11 and Great

Recession…people want an active governmentBig government and the Great Recession

Stimulus package, bank bailout, government takeover of GM…some supported policies/some did not

The limits of big government Despite Great Recession measures, unemployment still

high and government measures created distrust in big government…Republicans retook House in 2010 29

Ideologycomprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of

people and role of governmentPolitical ideologies: next few slides

Conservatism (dominate Republican Party)Places high value on the principles of order, liberty,

patriotism, and traditional valuesAdvocates limited governmental role in helping individualsValue liberty when it is defined as freedom from

government interference in business and from government support of nontraditional social intervention

Place lower value on economic equality, believing that individuals and families are responsible for their own well-being


Liberalism (dominate Democratic Party)Advocacy of government action to improve the welfare of

individuals Place high value on social and economic equality

Support for civil rights and tolerance for social and political change

Favor government regulation of economy to benefit all individuals within the society and government action to reduce poverty and to provide services such as health insurance

Value liberty but view it as freedom to live life according to individual values


The Traditional Political SpectrumSocialism

Favors strong support for social and economic equality

Traditionally socialists envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by government or by employee cooperatives.


The Traditional Political Spectrum• Libertarianism

• Philosophy of skepticism towards most government activities

• Strongly support property rights• Oppose regulation of the economy and

redistribution of income


The Traditional Political Spectrum


A Four Cornered Ideological Grid


Economic Liberals/Cultural Conservatives: support govt. action both to promote economic equality and fairness and to defend traditional social values

Libertarians: believe in the most complete freedom possible in both economic and social matters

Liberals: most liberals like to call themselves progressive; think this term has a negative connotation

POLITICAL TEST…you decide

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