Basic Government Concepts

I. Terms State: political power exercised over a defined geographical area through public institutions Population, territory, government, sovereignty State vs. state Nation: human community with shared culture and history Government: collections of individuals who occupy political office or exercise state power Regime: sets of rules and institutions that control access to, and exercise of, political power and that typically endure from government to government E.g. Adams’ government gave way to Jefferson’s in compliance with the Constitution Sovereignty: government has final say over what happens within its country Limited by international law, WTO, NAFTA, IMF, etc.

II. Regime Types 1. Who has power: Democracy vs. Dictatorship Liberal vs. illiberal democracy Power from the people liberal democracy Direct vs. Representative (republic) Substantive vs. procedural democracy Power withheld from the people authoritarian dictatorship: autocracy, monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, kleptocracy, theocracy Strive for totalitarian control; militaristic; outward appearances of democracy (see J. Kirkpatrick)

2) Geographic Distribution Where is power located: Unitary, confederate, federal Britain Articles of Confederation Constitution Unitary State governments; Danville exists at convenience of Sacramento Confederate Independent, sovereign states in loose alliance Key: cannot legislate over individuals Federal Overlapping division central (federal) and regional governments (State); separate and co-equal

3) Division of Power within Government Legislative (makes laws); Executive (executes/carries out laws); Judicial (interprets laws) Divisions not so clear cut: necessary overlap Presidential: separate, independent, coequal, checks and balances Parliamentary: executive members of legislature: chosen by, removable by, legislature No confidence votes; coalition governments Less likely to deadlock/fewer checks + balances

III. Principles of Democracy 1) Fundamental worth + dignity every person 2) Equality of all A) opp’y B) law 3) Majority rule w/minority rights Madison: Tyranny of the majority 4) Necessity compromise (process, not end) 5) Widest degree indiv. freedom (while protecting/serving public interest)

IV. Necessary Ideals 1) Effective participation 2) Equality in voting In politics money is speech 2) Equality in voting But CA vs. ND? 3) Enlightened understanding TV make me stupid 4) Final control over agenda See: mobilization of bias 5) Inclusion of adults Immigration issues; 12 million+ excluded

V. Required Institutions 1) Elected officials 2) Free, fair, frequent, effective elections 3) Freedom of expression 4) Alternative sources information 5) Associational autonomy (civil society) 6) Inclusive citizenship Capitalism?

VI. Advantages of Democracy 1) Avoid tyranny 2) Essential rights 3) General freedom 4) Self determination 5) Moral autonomy 6) Human development 7) Protecting essential personal interests 8) Political equality 9) Peace-seeking 10) Prosperity