Theories of Democratic Government

1. Theories of DemocraticGovernment

2. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Power and Authority

3. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Power and Authority Power is the ability to get another to act in accord with one’s intentions.

4. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Power and Authority Authority is the legal right to use power.

5. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Power and Authority Authority is the legal right to use power. In most countries, including the United States, the right to exercise authority comes from legal or constitutional sources.

6. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Citizens accept decisions made by the government if they believe those decisions come from people who have the right to make them.

7. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Citizens accept decisions made by the government if they believe those decisions come from people who have the right to make them. In most countries, including the United States, the right to exercise authority comes from legal or constitutional sources.

8. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Question: What makes a law or a constitution a source of authority?

9. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Answer: Legitimacy

10. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • In the United States, legitimacy of the government, in the minds of Americans, is based on the concept of democracy.

11. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • The Meaning of Democracy

12. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • The Meaning of Democracy Democracy (1):

13. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • The Meaning of Democracy Democracy (1): “The rule of the many” Aristotle

14. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Aristotle believed that a government was democratic if all, or at least most, citizens participated directly by holding office and making policy.

15. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Aristotle believed that a government was democratic if all, or at least most, citizens participated directly by holding office and making policy. • This is often called direct or participatory democracy.

16. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • The Meaning of Democracy Democracy (2):

17. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • The Meaning of Democracy Democracy (2): Leaders gain office and power by means of a competitive contest for the votes of the people.

18. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • The Meaning of Democracy Democracy (2): Leaders gain office and power by means of a competitive contest for the votes of the people. This is often referred to today as a representative democracy.

19. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Because of the shear size of the U.S., it is impractical for the people to decide on all public issues, so representatives must be elected to formulate policy.

20. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government

21. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government 1. There must be competitive elections for top leadership positions.

22. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government 1. There must be competitive elections for top leadership positions. 2. Communication must be free and untainted so that voters can make meaningful choices.

23. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government 3. Political parties must be allowed to compete.

24. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government 3. Political parties must be allowed to compete. 4. Decisions over which offices should be elected and which appointed.

25. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government 5. How many candidates should be allowed to compete before choices become hopelessly confused.

26. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Problems with representative government 5. How many candidates should be allowed to compete before choices become hopelessly confused. 6. Who should pay for campaigns?

27. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Because of these problems, some argue that some of the virtues of direct democracy could play a role in today’s complex society.

28. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Because of these problems, some argue that some of the virtues of direct democracy could play a role in today’s complex society. • This can be done with the use of referendums and initiatives.

29. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Referendums: Policy choices that are placed on the ballot at the suggestion of the citizens themselves.

30. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Referendums: Policy choices that are placed on the ballot at the suggestion of the citizens themselves. • Initiatives: Policy choices that are placed on the ballot by the state legislatures.

31. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Distribution of Political Power

32. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Distribution of Political Power Even in a democracy, policy will reflect the views of those who are most sufficiently motivated to participate actively in policy-making.

33. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Distribution of Political Power This group is usually small and sometimes does not represent the majority of the voters.

34. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Distribution of Political Power This group is called the political elite and represents the actual distribution of power in making and implementing policy.

35. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Distribution of Political Power This group is called the political elite and represents the actual distribution of power in making and implementing policy. They are identifiable groups that possess a disproportionate share of power.

36. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites

37. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 1. Marxist Theory:

38. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 1. Marxist Theory: Marxist believe that all societies are divided into economic classes based on their relationship to the economy.

39. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Marxist also believe that the U.S. government is “a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.”

40. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Marxist also believe that the U.S. government is “a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.” In other words, the government only represents the rich.

41. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 2. Nongovernmental Elitist Theory:

42. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 2. Nongovernmental Elitist Theory: An elite group, primarily outside of the government, makes most of the major decisions.

43. Theories of DemocraticGovernment A coalition of three groups, (corporate leaders, top military leaders, and a handful of key political leaders) sets the most important policies along with leaders of the major communications media, major labor leaders, and the heads of various special interest groups.

44. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 3. Bureaucratic Theory:

45. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 3. Bureaucratic Theory: Most political power belongs to bureaucrats, those who operate government agencies.

46. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Regardless of who comes to power, those in charge of government agencies continue to have most of the control to set policy.

47. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Technical experts, know as “technocrats” are needed more and more as policy decisions become more complex.

48. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 4. Pluralist Theory:

49. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • Theories on Political Elites 4. Pluralist Theory: Political resources like money, prestige, expertise, organizational position, and access to the media are so widely distributed that no single elite has a monopoly on them.

50. Theories of DemocraticGovernment • In addition, there are so many levels of government that no single group, even if it had vast resources, could dominate the political process.