Transcript PPT - Physpics

Introduction to American Government
Lecture 2: Democracy
Susan B. Hansen
[email protected]
Cell: 010.5677.7879
Ordering Textbook
• http://www.atomicdog.com/2808484606060, click Next
• Pick an edition, then click Checkout Now
o Online Edition
o Paperback + Online Editions
•
•
•
•
Fill in name, etc.
Check the box: □ I agree to the Atomic Dog Publishing Terms of Service
Click Next
Enter credit card number, Click Complete Purchase
Using Textbook
• www.atomicdog.com
• Login in blue box on upper right
– Email address
– Password
(as selected when you registered)
Definitions
•
•
•
•
•
democrat – favors popular government
republican – representative government
Republican - political party member
Democrat – political party member
Classical liberalism – values individual rights, economic
freedom, limited government
• Modern liberalism – favors active government role in
society and economy
• Federation: central government is more powerful
• Confederation: states have more power
Key Values of Democracy (Hudson)
• Popular rule
– “One person, one vote”
• Liberty
– Human rights
• Equality
– At least equal in political power
Many different institutions can be
compatible with these values
Other Key Values of Democracy
Choice + Voice
• Choice
– fair and frequent elections
– alternative parties or candidates with equal access to media,
campaign funds
– can move freely to other countries/states/cities
– Peaceful transitions to opposing parties (Korea 1993)
• Voice
– access to ballot
– can freely organize, protest, criticize, publish
Models of Democracy
Protective
Developmental
Pluralist
Participatory
Goal or
purpose
Protect liberty
(market
relations and
private
property)
Nurture
citizenship
Protect and
promote
diversity
Foster
participation
Role of
Citizens
Passive
Active
Passive
Active
Institutional
mechanisms
Separation of
powers and
representation
Representation
Interest groups
and elections
Neighborhood
assemblies
and workers'
councils
Equality
Political
Political and
Social
Political
Econ/Pol/Soc
Human nature
Selfish and
acquisitive
Capable of civic
virtue
Selfish and
acquisitive
Capable of civic
virtue
Preconditions for Democracy?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Political order
Level of development-wealth
Capitalism
Education-literacy
Shared culture/values/language
Nongovernmental organizations, unions, political
parties
-Can the US export democracy to Iraq???
Democracies Aren’t Perfect!
• Can make bad decisions
Viet Nam – Iraq – racism - drug policy
• May ignore majorities, suppress minorities
Internment of Japanese-Americans
• Economic policy failures – 1933 German Weimar
Republic, Latin American inflation
• Institutional paralysis – unable to decide
Cybernetic Democracy
• Open to change in people, institutions
Frequent elections
Transparency of rules and policies
Limited terms of office
Competition for support = responsiveness
• Dictators are rigid, hard and costly to dislodge:
Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Mao