Chapter 1 The Study of American Government

Chapter 1 The Study of American Government

The nature of the American democracy The People : a large and diverse population throughout history People are motivated by self-interest. Extreme emphasis on individual rights. These three characteristics result in considerable and continuous conflict. Politics is the process through which we resolve conflict.

What Is Political Power? Power the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person s intentions. Authority the right to use power Legitimacy political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution.

What Is Political Power? Power: the ability of one person to cause another person to act in accordance with the first person s intentions. May be obvious: President sends soldiers into combat. May be subtle: President s speechwriters use a new tone when writing about a controversial issue.

What Is Political Power? How powerful is President Obama? How can we measure his power?

What Is Political Power? Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform has wielded great political power by getting many Republicans to sign the no tax pledge. The pledge not to raise taxes has power only because the Republican Party and voters give it power. Lawmakers who break the pledge can lose their seats only if people care enough about that broken promise to vote accordingly. (NPR)

When Is Political Authority Legitimate? Struggles over what makes authority legitimate constitute much of U.S. history. Constitutional Convention many felt a national government was not legitimate. Civil War was the federal union legitimate? New Deal programs What is necessary for government to be perceived as legitimate? It must be democratic in some sense.

What Is Democracy? Democracy the rule of many Direct or participatory democracy government in which all or most citizens participate directly. Representative democracy a government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote.

What Type of Democracy is Best? Aristotle defined democracy as rule of ordinary people, most of whom would be poor. Fourth-century B.C.E. Greek city-states used direct democracy. Practiced by free, adult male property owners.

Direct Democracy Modern Examples New England town meetings California initiatives and referenda

Direct vs. Representative Democracy DIRECT DEMOCRACY All the citizens debate and vote directly on laws for society. Based on the belief that the ordinary people can make good judgments. Examples: Ancient Athens (Greece), New England town assemblies. REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY aka: republic, indirect democracy. The people elect representatives to govern for them. The people hold ultimate power, but the policy decisions are made by elected officials and those they appoint.

Problems with democracy The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy. The people do not want virtue, but are the dupes of pretended patriots. Elbridge Gerry

Problems with democracy Democracy while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. 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

Problems with democracy Pure democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. James Madison

The Framers favored representative democracy. Constitution does not contain word democracy but republican form of government Government should mediate, not mirror, popular views. Framers viewed people as lacking knowledge and susceptible to manipulation. ( confusion of the multitudes Madison) Framers goal: to minimize the abuse of power by a tyrannical majority or by officeholders.

The Framers favored representative democracy. Democracy is subject to decay into oligarchy (rule by the rich) or tyranny (rule by a despot). Prevention of these extreme outcomes is achieved by fusing elements from democracy and oligarchy.

A representative democracy requires certain conditions. Genuine competition for leadership. Voters perceive a meaningful choice. Individuals and parties have the opportunity to run for office. Free communication (people, parties, media, candidates).

Theories of Democracy: Majoritarian Theory Majoritarianism: The tendency of the government to do what the majority of the people want. Elected officials are delegates of the people and make the same decisions that the people would make if matters were put to a popular vote. In order for majoritarian democracy to work: Citizens must pay attention to issues. Citizens must be informed about the issues. What the people want Copyright 2011 must Cengage be feasible.

Theories of Democracy: Elite Theory The elite : An identifiable group of people who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource (i.e. political power). Def. A small, cohesive class of powerful people makes almost all of the important decisions for the nation. Examples: business leaders, top military officers, top elected officials, media chiefs, heads of labor unions.

Theories of Democracy: Pluralist Theory There are many different groups competing for political influence. Competition among all affected interests shapes government policy. Acknowledges that elites wield the most political power. BUT...

Theories of Democracy: Pluralist Theory Political resources (money, expertise, media access, etc.) are widely distributed within our society. There are so many different government institutions (cities, states, congressmen, judges, bureaucrats, etc.) that no single group can dominate the political process. Elites are divided and cannot form a single, dominant policy-making group. Policy is made through compromise and deal-making among different groups.

Theories of Democracy: Class Theory (aka Marxist Theory) Power theory reflects underlying economic forces. History is a struggle between two economic classes: Capitalists ( bourgeoisie ) : own and control economic resources. Workers ( proletariat ): use resources to create wealth for capitalists. Workers can only improve their situation through revolution. Whichever class controls the economy controls the government. Modern Marxist view: Multinational corporations dominate the economy and thus control the government.

Theories of Democracy: Class Theory (aka Marxist Theory) NOT MUCH USED IN U.S. POLITICS Americans do not have a high degree of class consciousness compared to European nations. Most Americans see themselves as middle-class. Americans value individual freedom over economic equality. Politicians who try to exploit class consciousness have little success.

Which theory of democracy? Majoritarian Elite Pluralist Class 1. A few corporate, government, military and media chiefs have the power to rule. 2. The Framers were concerned about it. 3. Government is a reflection of underlying economic forces. 4. The People must be able to understand and have informed opinions on the issues. 5. Policies are the outcome of complex patterns of negotiating and compromising among competing groups.

The Nature of Politics Political scientists try to understand people s preferences. Understanding preferences is required in order to understand the dynamics of political power. It is difficult to locate and quantify power. (ex.- origin of Tea Party movement) In order to understand political power, we have to observe how institutions (Congress, parties, media) and interests (big business, minority groups) behave on a variety of issues (government regulation, social welfare, civil rights).