1. Theories of democracy Mr. Hector Ocampo

2. Traditional Theories of Democracy  Five principles  Equality in voting-> one person one vote  Effective participation-> citizens must have adequate and equal opt. to express their preferences  Enlightened understanding - > democratic society should be a marketplace of ideas, no distorting of info

3. Traditional Theories of Democracy (Cont.)  Citizen control of the agenda-> citizens should have control over government’s policy agenda. One group should not control the agenda, Doing so distorts the agenda and does not represent what others hold as valuable  Inclusion-> the government must include, and extend rights to, all those subject to its laws. Citizenship must be open to all within a nation if the nation is to call itself democratic

4. CFU  What are the 5 qualities of traditional democracy?

5. 3 Contemporary Theories of American Democracy  Pluralism  Elitism  Hyperpluralism

6. Pluralism  Pluralism -> the belief that the policymaking process is very open to participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single group dominating American politics is dispersed so groups that lose in one area can succeed in another (civil rights in the 1950’s)  Putnam bowling example  Are more people practicing politics alone?

7. CFU  What is the core belief of pluralism?

8. Elitism  The belief that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization  Over one-third of the nation’s wealth is held by the top 1% of the population  More money to finance campaigns  Big business is at the center of this theory  Middle and lower class => whisper  Upper-class => roar

9. CFU  What is the core belief in elitism?

10. Hyperpluralism  The belief that competing groups are so strong that government is weakened Political tug of war Fragmented government amplifies this phenomenon Example: taking cases to the court after Congress passes on them Trying to please everyone

11. CFU  What is at the core of hyperpluralism?

12. Exit Ticket  List the 3 theories of American democracy? Which theory do you believe applies the most to our current form of democracy? Why?