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Problems of Democracy

Problems of Democracy. Ms. Nestico Chapter 1. What is Democracy?. Form of government “Rule by the people” Representative or Direct? People have the right to vote Democrat or Republican - political parties Freedom or right to choose. Chapter 1, Section 1. Functions of Government

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Problems of Democracy

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  1. Problems of Democracy Ms. Nestico Chapter 1

  2. What is Democracy? • Form of government • “Rule by the people” • Representative or Direct? • People have the right to vote • Democrat or Republican - political parties • Freedom or right to choose

  3. Chapter 1, Section 1 • Functions of Government • Make Laws -- Legislative • Enforce Laws -- Executive • Interpret & Change Laws - Judicial

  4. Purposes of Government what is governments responsibility to its citizens? • Maintain Order • Provide Services • Protect Us

  5. Maintaining Order How does the government maintain order? • Police • Courts • FBI/CIA • Congress and making laws

  6. Providing Services • Welfare - cash assistance • Food Stamps • Healthcare --Medicaid/Medicare --Medical Assistance (MA) • Social Security • Education • Transportation • Regulatory Agencies --EPA, FDA, FCC • Employment

  7. Protecting Us • Military • Homeland Security • Jails/Detention Facilities • Police and Fire Departments

  8. I. Origins of Government • Aristotle - ancient Greek philosopher 384-322 BCE • Coined the term “polis” or city-state --refers to ancient Greek government -- serves as the basis for democracy

  9. Characteristics of a “state”(Based on Aristotle’s definition) The term “state” is interchangeable with: country, nation or city-state 1. People - population • Territory • Government • Sovereignty - the ability to rule oneself

  10. II. Division of Political Authority - Aristotle • Distribution of Power a. Unitary system b. Confederate System c. Federal System • Economic 3. Who Rules a. Capitalist a. autocracy b. Socialist b. oligarchy c. Communist c. democracy

  11. Distribution of Powerhow does power flow?A. Unitary System one central government with full authority over all political subdivisions or states

  12. Confederate System states are sovereign and individual but are all working toward a common goal; central government has limited power

  13. Federal Systempower is shared between a central government and its political subdivisions

  14. Capitalism

  15. Socialism

  16. Communism

  17. Who/How Many Rule? • Autocracy - one ruler 1. Dictatorship - single ruler with absolute power. --no elections --may use force to maintain control 2. Monarchy - single ruler who gains leadership through inheritance --some have absolute power but not common today -- Saudi Arabia - example

  18. Despotism - • rule by a single authority who holds all the power and everyone else is considered his slave • Implies tyrannical rule • Authoritarian • Rule by a single authority who requires strict obedience to the state • Maintains social control through oppressive measures (limits resources provided to the people).

  19. Totalitarian • The state regulates virtually every aspect of public and private behavior • Maintain power and control by extreme measures • Examples: secret police propaganda control of mass media restriction of free discussion widespread use of terror

  20. What is the difference between authoritarianism and totalitarianism?

  21. Absolutism - one person with absolute power • from the time of the “nature of law” and “divine right of kings”

  22. Divine Right Theory • Identified in the 1600’s • Thomas Hobbes wrote Leviathan (1651-1690) in which divine right is initially discussed • Divine right = a king’s or ruler’s power comes directly from God • Focus on the ruler, not the people

  23. Social Contract Theory • Identifies that people do have rights • Focus is on the people, not the ruler • Government should actually be an “agreement” or “contract” between a people and its government • Based on Natural Rights - the “nature of law” • Social Contract Theory is extended to acknowledge that people have natural rights:

  24. Natural Rights:Life, Liberty & Property

  25. Social Contract Theory (con’t.) • John Locke - Two Treaties of Government (1690) • Social contract theory extended further to assume that people agree to obey the government in exchange for the government providing services and protection for the people.

  26. Key to the beginning of US Government: John Locke’s Social Contract Theory says that if the government does not hold up its end of the agreement, people have the right to break the “contract” and revolt

  27. B. Oligarchy - a few/small group of rulers • Totalitarianism - small group that rules the government that takes over virtually every aspect of people’s lives. • Junta - small military group seizes power and begins their own government • Aristocracy - rule by an elite upper class (our founding fathers)

  28. 4. Meritocracy - people with the highest IQ and effort/ability to rule. 5. Plutocracy - rule by the wealthy 6. Technocracy - run by the highly educated who believe that major business should have the most say in government

  29. 7. Theocracy - rulers rule on behalf of God and religion

  30. Democracy - rule by the people • Republic - elected officials vote on policy issues/representatives of the people conduct the government’s business • Direct Democracy - every man has a say or vote on every issue • Representative Democracy - synonymous with “republic” • Social Democracy - capitalist democracy begins incorporating aspects of socialism into its government practices & economy - “controlled capitalism”

  31. Citizenship - 14th Amendment • US Citizenship Rights 1. Vote 2. Serve on a jury 3. Hold public office 4. Public Services/Education 5. Own property/business 6. Due Process/legal protection

  32. Obligations of US Citizen 1. Pay taxes 2. Obey the law

  33. Ways to Be a US Citizen 1. Jus soli - “of the soil” --anyone born on US territory (military bases, embassies, etc.) 2. Jus sanguinis -- “of blood” --when both parents are US citizens --if at least one parent has been a citizen for a minimum of 10 yrs.

  34. Naturalization (requirements) a. Ability to read, write and speak English b. Good moral character c. Working knowledge of Civics/US History d. 5 years of permanent residency (3 years if married to a US citizen) e. Favorable disposition toward the US & the Constitution.

  35. Citizenship Status • Legal Alien a. Permanent resident - lives here permanently, has a green card and is working toward citizenship b. Non-resident - here temporarily, usually for work or education F-1 Visa = Student visa H-1 Visa = work visa c. Illegal Alien - obvious

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