1. Unit 1: Constitutional underpinnings
Theories of democracy

2. Government vs. Politics
Government consists of those institutions that make authoritative public policies for society as a whole
Politics determines whom we select as our leaders and what policies they pursue. It’s the “Who gets what, when and how.”
“Who “: politicians and political actors that we elect or who are involved in the system
“What” refers to the substance of politics and government
“How” focuses on how people participate in politics

3. Government vs. Politics
What do all governments do?
All governments have certain functions in common:
Provide National Defense
Provide public goods
Preserve/maintain order
Socialize the young
Collect taxes
This definition leads to two basic questions:
How should we govern?
What should government do?

4. Democracy Rule by the people Two types
Direct: rule by the people themselves
Indirect (representatives): rule by elected representatives
Founders distrust of direct democracy
Impracticalities
“fleeting passions of the people”

5. Republic Same as indirect democracy
Solves problems of direct democracy
“secures the advantages of direct democracy while curing its weaknesses”

6. Democratic Theory
How do some theorists explain behavior in democratic governments?
Elitist
Pluralist
Hyper-pluralist

7. Elitist Minorities dominate policy making Economic elites
Influence of power elites: corporate/military/etc
Influence of bureaucracy

8. Pluralist
Political resources are so scattered that there are no monopolies on them
There are so many institutions no single elite could control them all
Competition over policy
Haggling, compromise, shifting alliances

9. Hyperpluralist “pluralism gone sour”
There are so many groups and they are so strong that government has become gridlocked and unable to act

10. Pluralism vs. Elitism

11. Your task
Choose one of the four questions below and respond to it in a few sentences “through the lens” of all three of the theories of American democracy: Pluralism, Hyperpluralism and Elitism. Your writing should be detailed and focused on the reasoning that someone who follows that theory would use to come to their answer.
How can you make sure that everyone who needs healthcare has access to it?
How can you get the government to pass stricter gun laws?
How can you get the government to lower taxes on the wealthy?
How can you get the government to really stop illegal immigration?

12. You just need to contact your representatives and let them know that it is an issue that you feel is important. Also, vote for candidates that support your opinion and perhaps organize other citizens to hold protests or other types of demonstrations to get the attention of government officials. This is the best route for you to take because your representatives and other government officials are here to help and to be the voice of the people. This is how democracy works.
You’re probably not going to be able to get much done by just contacting your government officials. There are so many people and corporations vying for their time, and so many political issues vying for their support, you’re going to have a tough time. If there is an interest group that supports healthcare, you may want to join with them, but don’t get your hopes up because the government is so bogged down, it hardly gets anything done.
The healthcare reform that we got with the Affordable Care Act was surprising considering the influence that huge corporations and the very wealthy have on the government and I wouldn’t say that you’d be able to get any further with what you’re asking for. Consider how the wealthy would have to pay more taxes for the poor to get healthcare. They’re not going to go for that and they’ll make sure the government officials that might help you wont. There’s just too much money in it for them to lose. And, on top of that, think about all of the hospitals and doctors and insurance companies that are afraid of losing money. They’ll influence the government officials to keep things the way they are.

13. John Locke Most influential philosopher read by the colonists
State of nature & natural rights
Consent of the governed
Limited government
Lockean beliefs are directly reflected in DoI