How democratic is the American Constitution?. Today… Review of the argument Your reactions to Dahl’s argument Prerequisites for democracy?

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations

Advertisements

Constitutional Compromises/Structure of Government
Teaching Government/Political Science
Legislative Branch by: Yvette Corona
As the meeting of Philadelphia Gentlemen Plan a Union.
Legislative Branch (Congress) 2- House (bicameral) legislature Senate House of Representatives Rep. based on Rep. based on population for population for.
ID the IV, DV, unit of analysis, control variable (if any)
How democratic is the American Constitution?. Dahl’s argument The Constitution is not a sacred text Our system does not live up to modern democratic standards.
Bell ringer Working Together # 166 Please put your HW on your desk so I can check it.
Voting 11/9/2011. Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: – discuss and critically.
Short Paper #1 Due February 4 th !! - all materials for the paper can be found under the “Tutorial #2 folder” on MLS.
The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution establishes the powers of and limits on Congress.
Dahl. Dahl’s argument What couldn’t the Framers know? What did they get wrong? What couldn’t the Framers know? What did they get wrong? How is the Constitution.
American Government and Organization PS1301 Thursday, 9 September.
Presidential and Congressional Elections November 12, 2007.
Democratic Systems. There are three Presidential Parliamentary Presidential- parliamentary.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Mr. Lawrence American Gov’t.
THE CONSTITUTION HISTORY, STRUCTURE, AND PRINCIPLES.
Gov’t limited by the people? Which is most important today?
Presentation by Dr. Kevin Lasher. Government Intervention in Economy Govt. Intervention in Personal Matters FOR AGAINST AGAINST FOR LIBERALS CONSERVATIVES.
CHAPTER 3 The Constitution. Section 1: Structure and Principles  A. Structure of the Constitution  Preamble  Seven (7) Articles  Twenty-seven (27)
PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL PARTIES Andi Kriisa Silver Samarütel 11c.
Unit 3: Political Parties TSSBAT: Evaluate the influence of special interests on the political process.
Voting and Elections 24 October, Voter Turnout Voter turnout is highest for presidential elections; in “midterm elections” only a third of the electorate.
Institutional Design: Electoral Systems and Executive- Legislative Relations Plan for Today 1. Understand the characteristics and democratic consequences.
Stan West. Sole executive power is vested upon the President. President is elected by first past the post plurality for a six year term (sexenio) and.
The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution lists the substantive goals for the purpose of our government. How does our government achieve the goals of the Preamble?
WHAT MAKES THE ADVANCED DEMOCRACIES DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES? What makes them economically advanced? GDP at >$12K PPP, per cap; service-dominant.
End of Course Exam Review. The purpose of a government is to create and enforce the public policies of a society. Every government has 3 types of power:
Unit 1: Law, Justice, and You Chapter 3 Constitutional Rights.
American Government and Organization PS1301 Tuesday, 7 September.
Compromises to the Constitution. Articles of Confederation 1 Legislature, no other parts of government.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE. Something to think about… What is the main purpose of the Electoral College?
POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AND PARTICIPATION. Political Parties Political Party- a group of people organized to influence government through winning elections.
POLITICAL PARTIES Chapter 9. The Role of Political Parties in American Democracy  What Are Political Parties?  Abide by party platform  Includes party.
Presidential Representative Democratic Republic. Brazil’s National Congress Building.
The U.S. Constitution.
Political Parties in Our Democracy
Comparative political economics
Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
Do Now pg 26 What day do we hold the popular election on?
The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention
United Mexican States Federal Republic.
Creating and Ratifying The Constitution
United Mexican States Federal Republic.
AKS 35 & 44 Review.
The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention
Parliamentary & Presidential DEMOCRACIES
Parliamentary & Presidential DEMOCRACIES
United Mexican States Federal Republic.
Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
Mexico and the United States
MAKING OUR DEMOCRACY WORK
The Republican Experience
MAKING OUR DEMOCRACY WORK
Explain the procedures used to elect the President and Vice President
Jeopardy Vocab Vocab Vocab Congress Powers Q $100 Q $100 Q $100 Q $100
05/03/2017.
Chapter 12 & 13 Political Parties and Elections.
Structure & Function of the Constitution
Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
Jamie Monogan University of Georgia April 18, 2019
Unit 3 Chapter 5: The American Political System
Federal System Brazil has a federal system, which means that the national government and the state governments SHARE power. There are 26 states in Brazil.
Separation of Powers SOL 6A.
The Progressive Era.
Top ten things you need to know
Presentation transcript:

How democratic is the American Constitution?

Today… Review of the argument Your reactions to Dahl’s argument Prerequisites for democracy?

Dahl’s argument The Constitution is not a sacred text Ours is no better than other democratic systems Our system does not live up to modern democratic standards

How is our Constitution undemocratic? Slavery No guarantee of suffrage—left up to states Insulated from popular control Senate Judicial review No clear allowance for regulation or taxes

Why is our Constitution undemocratic? Politics of ratification

How has the Constitution become more democratic over time? Expansion of suffrage Abolition of slavery Changes to election of Senators

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! Unitary, not federal Unicameral (not bicameral) legislatures No judicial review Parliamentary not separated system PR not Plurality

Plurality vs. Proportional Representation PLURALITY Just need one more vote than next candidate to win a seat in legislature Favors two parties PR Party gets seats in legislature proportional to the percent of the vote it received Favors multiple parties

Our democracy is no better than other democracies Stability Individual rights Responsiveness Equality and policy outcomes

U.S. Compared to other Democracies US in top third US in middle third US in bottom third Economic Growth X Women's cabinet representation X Popular support for executive X Budget deficits X Unemployment X Family policy X Inflation X Women's parliamentary representation X Rich-poor ratio X Energy efficiency X Welfare state index X Social expenditures X Voter turnout X Foreign aid X Incarceration rate X

On a scrap of paper, answer the following questions. (Put a question mark if you don’t know the answer….) 1. What is a primary election? 2. How long is the term in office for a member of the House of Representatives? 3. Who is William Rehnquist? 4. Who is Dennis Hastert? 5. Which political party is more conservative? 6. What did President Bush talk about on Thursday? 7. What countries did the U.S. fight against in World War II?