2. The founding fathers were suspicious of democracy in its truest form. Lincoln defined democracy as “government of the people, by the people and for the people” in the Gettysburg Address. One definition for democracy is this: A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. AKA: The rule of the many

3. Direct democracy: Participatory democracy All or most citizens participate (think ancient Greece) New England town meetings still tend to use this Representative Democracy: Leaders are elected by popular vote to make decisions Schumpeter Definition: “The democratic method is that institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals (leaders) acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for the people’s vote.”

4. This theory is defined by a set of five ideals on how a government makes decisions. 1. Equality in voting—the principle of “one person, one vote” is basic to democracy. 2. Effective participation—political participation must be representative. 3. Enlightened understanding—free press and free speech are essential to civic understanding. 4. Citizen control of the agenda—citizens should have the collective right to control the government’s policy agenda. 5. Inclusion—citizenship must be open to all within a nation.

5. Democracies must practice majority rule and preserve minority rights. The relationship between the few leaders and the many followers is one of representation: the closer the communication between representatives and their electoral majority (constituents), the closer you are to democracy. Finally, most Americans also feel that it is vital to protect minority rights, such as freedom of speech

6. So, what problems do you think might occur when the principles in the previous slides are put into place?

7. Marxist view: Government is dominated by capitalists. Power elite view: Operates under the assumption that our society (like all societies) is divided along class lines. Bureaucratic view: Government is dominated by appointed officials. Pluralist View: Groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts. Hyper-pluralism: Groups are so strong that government is weakened.

8. Two economic classes vie for power Capitalists: The “bourgeosie” or business owners Workers: The “proletariat” or workers Whichever class dominates the economy, controls the government. The government is viewed as just a mechanism to express and give credence to class interests.

10. Objective : SWBAT describe democracy and the different theories of how our government works and power is distributed in our democracy. Agenda: Bell Ringer Strategies for FRQs Finish Lecture and Discussion Homework: Read “The Root Principles of Democracy” Answer the attached questions and come ready to discuss the article during class!!

11. 1. Of the four (technically five) theories of how American government works, describe one in your own words. 2. Define democracy in your own words.

12. An upper-class elite rules, regardless of governmental organization. Wealth is the basis of class power: a few powerful Americans are the policymakers. Who holds power: Upper class elites How is policy made: Wealthy and powerful people dictate

14. Power is the hands of appointed officials and career government workers that run the bureaucracy of the American government. These people exercise great power in interpreting laws and making them administrative actions. With this theory, bureaucrats do not simply implement policies, they “make” them suit their own ideas and interests.

16. Groups compete with one another for control over public policy, with no one group or set of groups dominating the others. Bargaining and compromise are essential ingredients of our democracy. Pluralists are optimistic that the public interest will prevail in creating public policy. Who holds power: Many groups work with government How is policy made: Bargaining and compromise

17. There are too many groups with access to the different levels and branches of government and these groups have multiple ways to both prevent policies they disagree with and promote those they support. In this system, when politicians try to placate every group, the result is confusing, contradictory, and muddled policy (or no policy at all). Who holds power: Interest Groups How is policy made: Politicians try to please each group and confusing policy happens or doesn’t happen at all.

19. Do you think that one of these views is more descriptive of our current government than the others? Explain.

20. Is Democracy driven by self-interest? What explains political change in the American Democracy and how the government is run? Page 4: Why Government Matters List Pg 7: Can A Democracy Fight a War Against Terrorists? Pg 13: What Would You Do? The End of 8/25/14

21. What is it? Why is it important? Political culture consists of the overall set of values widely shared within a society. Understanding American political culture is key to understanding American government.

22. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI6ndfyQwcQ

23. The Old Testament = Declaration of Independence The New Testament = U.S. Constitution The Father = George Washington The Son = Abraham Lincoln The Holy Ghost = Thomas Jefferson

24. 1. Liberty: Liberty is one of Jefferson’s inalienable rights and a cornerstone of the Bill of Rights. 2. Egalitarianism: Equality of opportunity, especially social equality, has promoted increasing political equality. 3. Individualism: American individualism developed in part from the western frontier and the immigrants’ flight from government oppression. Everyone has the right to be happy and seek out a better life. 4. Laissez-faire economics: The economy has little regulation and we believe in a free market system. 5. Populism: Common, ordinary citizens are idealized in American politics, and both liberals and conservatives claim to be their protectors.

25. Increased technical expertise With the complexity of our modern society, we rely more on people who are experts in certain fields. Limited participation in government Few people seem to know or care who their leaders are and participation in voting has been declining for the most part.

26. Escalating campaign costs It takes a lot of money to run for office and stay there. Members of the House of Representatives routinely spend over a million dollars to be elected. In 2012, interest groups and candidates spent a total of $6.3 billion. Diverse political interests (policy gridlock) Diversity is a great thing, but when certain interests are unwilling to compromise, then gridlock occurs and no real policy gets made.

27. How can average citizens make decisions about complex issues? What if citizens know little about their leaders and policy decisions? Is American democracy too dependent on money? Does American diversity really produce governmental gridlock?