Empirical Theories Modern Theories of Democracy

Create in your notebook Gov’t SystemsDefinition (Who is allowed to participate?) Examples Monarchy Constitutional Monarchy Dictatorship Oligarchy Pluralism Gov’t SystemsDefinition (How are decisions reached?) Examples 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