1. Consider: Is democracy the best form of government?
The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy. Charles de Montesquieu
The Last Word: Assignment 3 for Monday

2. 5 question quiz.

3. Types of Government and Theories of Democracy
AP Government and Politics: Chapter 1
5 question quiz.

4. Types of Government
1.2
In order to determine the TYPE of government a country has, we ask the question:
WHO HAS THE POWER?
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Totalitarianism
Oligarchy (Aristocracy)
Democracy
Direct democracy, Representative democracy, elite democracy(?)
Aristotle classifies types of governments according to who rules, and in whose interest. Types of governments include monarchy, totalitarianism, aristocracy, oligarchy, polity, and democracy.
Fears about mob rule and the vast size of the United States led the Framers to create a republican democracy that relies on the role of representatives to filter citizens’ viewpoints.

5. Types of Government, or… The Parable of the –isms
DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. A vote is held, and the cows win.
SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes one of them and gives it to your neighbor.
CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one of them, and buy a bull. The cow and bull have a great love life; you sell the movie rights to Hollywood. Then you go into real estate.
ANARCHISM: You have two cows. You steal your neighbor's bull and ignore the government.
BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. Then it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows.
DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both cows and drafts you.
NAZISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and then shoots you.
LIBERTARIANISM: Go away. What I do with my cows is none of your business.
UNITED NATIONISM: You have two cows. France vetoes you from milking them. The United States and Britain veto the cows from milking you. New Zealand abstains.

6. Types of Democracy
What is the major difference between direct and indirect democracy?
Are there issues with direct democracy?
Can you think of any problems that have arisen within the system of representative democracy?
“Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear.”
- Alan Coren, British writer and satirist

7. Who (Really) Governs in a Democracy?
Pluralist view
the belief that relatively fair competition among all affected interests shapes public policy.
An optimistic view of the democratic process
Political resources are generally distributed equally amongst groups
No single group dominates the political process.
Competing interests often check each other, result is compromise
Win-Win, or Lose-Lose?

8. Who (Really) Governs in a Democracy?
Hyperpluralism
There are so many groups, whether elite or not, that act or influence government, that action is difficult, if not impossible.
A more pessimistic view
Multitude of competing interests most often causes gridlock and inaction.
The political system is out of control because the government tries to please every interest and allows them to dictate policy in their area.
Since all interest groups try to protect their self- interest, the policies that result from their pressure are haphazard and ill-conceived.

9. Analyzing Democracy
Analyzing democracy worksheet

10. Consider: How does Plato’s conception of democracy differ from ours?
The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.
-Charles de Montesquieu
The Last Word: Assignment 4 for Wednesday

11. Critiquing Democracy Aspects of our democracy Free, fair elections
Most can agree that our nation has problems that, at times, it struggles to solve.
Is our current democratic structure able to meet these challenges in the 21st century?
Aspects of our democracy
Free, fair elections
Majority rule/minority rights
Interest Groups
Campaign finance

12. So, where do we end up?
We’ve read the quotes, we understand the arguments.
Which aspect of these is most important to you?
Safety
Preservation of rights
A voice in government
Efficient/effective use of tax money
Quick, decisive government action that gets results
Others (low taxes, more personal freedom, more social programs, less/more military spending, more/less regulation of business/Wall Street, etc.)
Which government system can do the most of these, the best? Is that the government you would establish?