1. Theories of Democratic Government

2. Definition of Democracy
System of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences

3. Traditional Democratic Theory
Key principles that specify how governmental decisions are made in a democracy
Ideal democratic process should satisfy 5 criteria:
Equality in voting: does not have to be universal, but must be representative
Effective participation: citizens have adequate & equal opportunities to express preferences
Enlightened understanding: marketplace of ideas; freedom of speech & press essential
Citizen control of agenda: collective right to control the government’s policy agenda
Issues that attract attention
Problematic if one group has influence beyond its numbers
Inclusion: government extends rights to all citizens

4. Traditional Democratic Theory: Fundamental Principles
Majority Rule
Desires of the majority represented in choosing policy
Minority Rights
Majority should not do anything it wants
Cannot infringe on rights of minority
Representation
Use people to represent others in governmental decision-making
Impossible to have direct political involvement by all in large society

5. Two Types of Democracy Direct Democracy Representative Democracy
All or most citizens participate directly, such as in a small town meeting
Impractical in large populations
Even in Aristotelian Greece, the “many” referred only to free adult male property owners
Many states allow direct democracy in which voters decide on referendum issues
Decisions depend on votes of the people themselves
Leaders that are elected by the people make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote
Utilizes characteristics of both presidential and parliamentary systems of government
Leaders must communicate without many restrictions
Voters need to believe a meaningful choice exists in competition
Leaders must make compromises to connect a majority of voters, which can balance out radical candidates with well-rounded contenders

6. American Democracy
Framers believed the “will of the people” was not synonymous with the “public good” or “common interest”
Different factions would make it difficult to govern
Factions would need to come together and form coalitions
Larger republics provide more moderate views
So, gov’t should be father away since the people don’t always have the public good in mind
Favored a “mirror, not mediate” approach to popular opinion
Saw representative democracy as a way of minimizing abuse of power by a misguided majority or self-serving officeholder
Had to determine which offices were elected or appointed

7. Contemporary Theories
The real question: Who really governs?
3 Contemporary Theories:
Pluralist
Elite & Class
Hyperpluralism

8. Pluralist Theory
Policies are passed due to which interest is more representative of the views of Americans
Large spectrum of input from competing interests
Groups with shared interests influence public policy by pushing for decisions that respond to their concerns
Optimistic that the “public interest” will prevail through bargaining & compromise
“All active and legitimate groups in the population can make themselves heard at some crucial stage in the process” –Robert Dahl
No one group controls a majority of the political process
Enough political resources are available that big business cannot lock out every issue
Requires Americans to be “joiners” in the political process
Have we joined?
Technology isolates people
More involved in self-defined ways instead of in groups

9. Power Elite Theory
Government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of government
Members of the economic elite & policy-planning networks
Power is not in the hands of elected representatives
Stands in opposition of pluralism
Society is divided among class lines
Upper class elite hold significant power
Wealth is basis of power
The wealthy will rule
Also: high political leaders, major corporate owners & executives, & high ranking military officers
Wealthy can afford to finance election campaigns & control key institutions like corporations
“The people who own the country ought to govern it” – John Jay

10. Bureaucratic View
Government officials & workers are the ones who exercise power by helping write policies into existence (not the elected representatives)
Appointed officials are mostly invisible to the average person
Implement & make policies to suit their interests and ideas
Theory created by Max Weber
Institutions allow bureaucrats to control them, as to maintain & control the government more easily
Desirable to some extent, as expertise & specialization allow bureaucrats to make better decisions

11. Hyperpluralism Groups are so strong that the government is weakened
Results from extreme form of Pluralism
Groups treat government as their servant
Push for own policies at whatever level and branch of gov’t may result in their favor
Create battlegrounds at national, state, and local levels in executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Government responds to all groups, creating policies that are confusing, contradictory, and muddled
Public interest isn’t well served

12. Journal Entry
Which theory do you think has the most merit and why: Pluralist, Elite, or Hyperpluralism?