1. Democracy is…..

2. Political Cartoon #1 Title: democracy
Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Date: February 2, 2005

3. Characteristics of democracy
List 6 characteristics of democracy.

4. Characteristics of Democracy
Majority
rule
Govt.
by and for
the people
Everyone equal under
the law
DEMOCRACY
Elected representatives carry out the people’s will
Rights of the individual protected
Freedom

5. Democracy is ….
a system of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected representatives

6. Direct (Pure) Democracy
A form of democracy in
which the people as a
whole make direct
decisions, rather than
having those decisions
made for them by
elected
representatives
Referendum
Recall

7. What problems can arise from a direct democracy system?

8. Representative Democracy
Reasons it was preferred by Founders:
1. Government would mediate, not mirror popular views.
2. People viewed as capricious.
3. Competitive elections would minimize abuse of power.

9. The question with representative democracy becomes: Who governs
The question with representative democracy becomes: Who governs? How much power should “they” have?
Power: the ability of one person to cause another to act in accordance with his/her intentions.
Authority: right to use power, not all who have political power have the authority to do so.
Legitimacy: What makes a law or constitution a source of right.

10. How is power distributed in the America system?
Majoritarian Politics vs. Elitism
Majoritarian- leaders constrained to follow wishes of the people.
Vs.
Elitism- rule is by people who possess a disproportionate share of power.
4 Theories of Elitist view.

11. Elitist Power Theories
Marxist theory: (Marx) government is a reflection of the means of production, government controlled by the dominant class (capitalists.)
Power Elite Theory: (C. Wright Mills) power elite composed of key corporate, military, media, labor union, and political leaders control and are served by the government

12. Elite Power Theories
Bureaucratic View- (Max Weber) power is in the hands of appointed officials who exercise power when deciding how public laws are enforced or enacted.
Pluralist- no single elite has monopoly on power, all elites bargain and compromise.

13. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
Brainstorm five basic founding ideas

14. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)
government derives its power from the consent of the people

15. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
II: Respect for the Individual
each person has the right to reach their own potential
all entitled to “certain unalienable rights”

16. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
III: Equality of Opportunity
“all men are created equal”
What kinds of equality should the government guarantee? Political? Economic? Social?

17. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
IV: Personal Liberty
“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
self-determination

18. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
V: Rule of Law
“a government of laws and not of men”
safeguard of liberty

19. So, just how democratic are we?

20. Artist: Stephane Peray, Thailand Date: August 10, 2005