1. How Much Democracy is Too Much?
Thinking About Democracy and Elections

2. Guiding Questions for the Course
PERSISTENT ISSUE: What standards must be met to give leadership legitimate authority?
COURSE SPECIFIC: To what extent should American elections be more democratic?
Too Democratic
Just Right
Not Democratic
Some possible ways to view the question

3. Theories of Democratic Elections
Two camps with opposing views…
Minimalist
Elitist Model: as long as leadership is responsible to the people, the electoral process matters little
Participatory
Pluralist Model: electoral process is a competition amongst competing groups
Popular (Plebiscitary): people should exercise greatest influence over electoral process

4. Views on Minimalist Theory
American democracy is structured, formal, practical, realistic…It is not starry-eyed, carnivalesque, or insurrectionary. It is not pure or participatory democracy, and it does not consider political chaos a price worth paying to actualize the political will….The populism of a Jefferson or a Jackson remains a part of our democratic ideology, but a smaller part than in the days of yore. -Judge Richard Posner What does this quote mean?

5. Views on Participatory Theory
Democracy…must remain a project, a goal, something to be endlessly nurtured and reinforced, an ideal that cannot be fully realized but always can be pursued -Alexander Keyssar What does this quote mean?

6. Three Basic Requirements for a “Democratic” Election
Most agree elections should include the following:
Relatively wide, if not universal, suffrage
A great degree of equality among those allowed to vote
Some degree of thoughtfulness amongst voters
Elections should also be characterized by the following values:
Equal Respect
Popular Sovereignty
Free Choice

7. Other Criteria to Judge Elections By
Extent to which they promote political stability
Extent to which they hold elected officials accountable
Extent to which public policy is addressed
Extent to which political “playing field” is level
Extent to which fundamental freedoms and rights are respected

8. The Problem of “Trade-Offs”
Liberty v. Equality
Free Press v. Informed Choice
Free Speech v. Fair Competition
Majority Rule v. Minority Rights