1. Basic Government Concepts

2. 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.

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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