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Democracy!

Democracy!. A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing gov’t so that policy responds to public demands Founders despised pure forms of democracy “Mob rule” The US has a representative democracy. Elect people to make decisions for us. What is a democracy?.

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Democracy!

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  1. Democracy!

  2. A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing gov’t so that policy responds to public demands • Founders despised pure forms of democracy • “Mob rule” • The US has a representative democracy. • Elect people to make decisions for us. What is a democracy?

  3. Equality in voting: one person, one vote. • Effective participation: citizens must have efficient and equal ways to voice concerns • Enlightened Understanding: Free press and free speech essential • Citizens control the agenda: collective right to control agenda, not selective • Inclusion: All rights must be extended to those subject to the laws. Democratic Theories

  4. Majority rule: Policies created must represent the will of over half of voters • Restraints are created in order to protect minority rights. • Minority rights: majority cannot infringe upon rights such as; speech, assembly etc. • Representation: will of the many is communicated through elected officials. Ideas Cont.

  5. Pluralism: many groups participate. • No single group can dominate • NRA, PETA, UAW all competing for gov’t attention. • Pluralist believe all people will be heard at some point in the decision making process • “Nation of joiners” • Today many people join interest groups and lobbying activities. Influence of the many

  6. Americans have started to decline in group participation • Technology has caused less involvement through isolation. • More solo involvement than group. • Increase in bowlers, decrease in bowling league involvement • People are making more individual decisions, rather than group. Problems with Pluralism

  7. Elitism: upper class America holds all power • 1/3 nations wealth held by 1% • Some extremists say that it doesn’t matter who rules, corporations hold power. • Hyperpluralism: So many groups compete, and stop the government from acting. • Worried about offending these groups. • Too many portions of gov’t have overlapping powers, hard to coordinate. All of the theories!

  8. Increased complexity of issues: issues problems beyond general population knowledge • Limited participation in gov’t: citizens not taking full advantage of opportunities to participate • Campaign costs: Connection between money and politics • Diverse political interests: hard to establish a majority interest Challenges to Democracy

  9. Political Culture: set of values widely shared within a society • Liberty: various freedoms • Egalitarianism: equality of opportunity • ¾ Americans are proud of the equality and fairness of the US • Individualism: the idea that people should and can get ahead on their own. • Laissez-faire • Populism: rights of average person against the elite Political Culture of the US

  10. GDP: sum total of the value of all goods and services produced in a year • We spend $3.8 trillion a year • Employ 2.8 million • people Gross Domestic Product

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