 Direct democracy: merging of ruler and ruled  Indirect democracy: also known as representative democracy; rulers are selected in genuine, competitive elections for a fixed time period 1. freedom of expression 2. popular sovereignty 3. political equality

 Definition: Democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.  Democratic Theory (Robert Dahl)  Equality in voting  Effective participation  Free press and speech  Citizen control of the agenda  Inclusion  Majority Rule and Preservation of Minority Rights

 Pluralist Theory  A theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies  Groups will work together  Public interest will prevail through bargaining and compromise

 Many centers of power  Voters exercise meaningful choices and new elites can gain access to power  Multiple access points to government as power is dispersed on many levels and branches of government  Method of governance: bargaining and compromise  Electoral majorities rarely rule; active and legitimate groups can make themselves heard, manifested through rise in interest group activity

 Elite and Class Theory  A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization; elitists content that American democracy is less democratic than the pluralist believe  Not all groups equal  Policies benefit those with money and power

 Society is divided along class lines  Upper class elite rules  Wealth is basis of class power; few have the power to act as policy makers  Big business is at the center of power and democracy  Elite consists of three interwoven strata: corporate, military, and political elite

 Hyperpluralism  A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.  Groups control policy and prevent government from acting  Difficulty in coordinating policy implementation  Confusing and contradictory policies result from politicians trying to placate every group

 Increased Technical Expertise  Limited Participation in Government  Escalating Campaign Costs  Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock)  Institutionalization of power a. Revolving door in Washington b. K-Street Allan Cigler (political scientist at Univ. of Kansas): "The growth of lobbying makes even worse than it is already the balance between those with resources and those without resources."

ClientTotal Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $2,558,205,882 Health$2,298,865,053 Misc Business$2,257,719,539 Communications/Elect ronics $2,092,700,759 Energy & Natural Resources $1,670,116,451 Transportation$1,358,911,163 Other$1,252,273,819 Ideological/Single- Issue $848,747,426 Agribusiness$819,757,771 Defense$668,009,653 Labor$265,459,714 Construction$264,698,101 Lawyers & Lobbyists$188,142,079 Top Sector Spending between