Underpinnings Unit. Machiavelli. Machiavelli s name is synonymous with dirty politics Author of The Prince European History Moment.

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1 Underpinnings Unit Q: What does underpinnings mean? Machiavelli Machiavelli s name is synonymous with dirty politics Author of The Prince European History Moment Machiavelli Quotes: He is attributed with the saying, the end justifies the means. It is better to be feared than loved A prince should imitate the lion and the fox. The fox recognizes the trap; the lion frightens the wolves. By no means can a prudent ruler keep his word. Because [all men] are bad and do not keep promises to you, you likewise to do not have to keep your promises to them. 1

2 A more hopeful view Harold D. Lasswell s Definition of Politics Who gets what, when, and how All of us are political we re just not used to calling it that. You don t have to take a class to get politics. Man is by nature a political animal Social Contract Theory John Locke a key theorist. Government derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. Government of the people (by the people for the people) 2

3 Locke s Theory State of Nature Social Contract Dissolution State of Nature existed before government People had total freedom Natural Rights to life, liberty, and property People desire protection of their natural rights so they form government (a social contract) Safety in Numbers If gov t doesn t adequately protect natural rights, the people have an obligation to dissolve government Principles necessary for Democracy to exist 1. Universal Participation 2. Political Equality all votes are counted equally 3. Majority Rule 4. Government responsiveness to public opinion According to this definition, is the United States a Democracy? If not, why? If so, when did we become one? Is Iraq? Democracy is Evil? Consider the following The masses are turbulent and changing and seldom judge or determine right Alexander Hamilton - Founder Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide John Adams Founder and 2 nd President A democracy is a government in the hands of men of low birth, no property, and vulgar employments. Aristotle Philosopher & Political Scientist believed the masses were too uneducated to govern themselves, too prone to the influence of demagogues, and too likely to abrogate minority rights. James Madison Father of the Constitution & 4 th POTUS 3

4 Is Democracy Evil? Q: What system of government do we have? A: Don t say Democracy. We live in a Republic as in and to the Republic for which it stands In this way, we are all (little-r) republicans Pure/True/Direct/Participatory Democracy vs. Representative Democracy Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. James Bovard Direct/Pure Democracy In a democracy (Athenian-puredirect) the Idol Judges have no say. The masses have total power to judge or determine right. WE WANT SANJAYA! Republic (Indirect Democracy) WE DON T! WE WANT SANJAYA! In a republic, the masses communicate their wishes to an intermediary who then have final say who the Idol is. Sometimes they filter the people s desires. 4

5 Democratic Theory #1 Majoritarian Democracy Classic theory in which government by the people is interpreted as government by the majority (or maybe plurality) of the people Community size makes this impractical, but some communities still run their local governments in this way Majoritarian Dem. is alive and well at the ballot box: Recall Referendum Petitions used to un-elect a government official Der Gropenator Legislation placed on the ballot by representatives but is approved by the voters Initiative Legislation placed on the ballot by voters by use of petitions and then approved by voters Democratic Theory #2 Pluralist Democracy In the 1950s, political scientists asked, How can we have a majoritarian democracy when there is such widespread ignorance of politics? Pluralist theory: Modern society consists of innumerable groups that share economic, religious, ethnic, or cultural interests These many (plural) interest groups compete to press their interests on the government Interest groups access government through many access points (different branches and different levels of government federal, state, and local) Policy is a compromise - many groups get some of what they want PLURALISM Many (plural) groups compete to attempt to influence government policy. 5

6 Democratic Theory #3 Elite Theory A small group (a minority) makes most important government decisions. Multinational corporations, and media conglomerates have all the power. Democratic Theory #4 Hyperpluralist Theory Bruce, filling in for God, clicks Yes to All for everyone s prayers. What happens next? Pluralism on steroids groups become more powerful than the government Government does not function correctly policy does not reflect the needs of the nation only the desires of powerful groups Fragmented political system allows hyperpluralism to occur Political Ideology Do you recognize these political words? Most Government Totalitarianism The narrow range of acceptable ideology in mainstream American politics limits the extent of government action. POLITICAL THEORIES Libertarianism Least Government Anarchy ECONOMIC THEORIES Socialism Capitalism Laissez Faire POPULAR LABELS IN AMERICA Liberal Conservative 6