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Understanding Politics and Democracy Through Key Concepts and Theories

Explore the fundamental aspects of politics, including power, authority, and legitimacy, as well as the differences in opinions regarding governance and political ends. Delve into democratic principles, representative democracy, and the various theories of political systems. Understand the roles of different groups in shaping political power and the goals envisioned by the Framers of the Constitution. Gain insights on public opinion, political socialization, and ideologies that influence societal perspectives.

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Understanding Politics and Democracy Through Key Concepts and Theories

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  1. BELL RINGER 9-08-2008 Chapter 1 (PAGES 3-4) In your own words explain what the textbook means when it states that politics exists in part because people differ about two things: who should govern, and the ends toward which they should work

  2. Bell-Ringer 9-9-2008 • Distinguish between the concepts of power, authority, and legitimacy. • Pages 4-5

  3. Bell-Ringer 9-10-2008 • OUTLINE • I. What is Democracy? (6-7) • II. Is Representative Democracy Best? (7-8) • EXAMPLE OF OUTLINE • I. What is Democracy • A • B

  4. Bell-Ringer 9-11-2008 • Outline • Is Democracy Driven by Self-Interest? (10-11) • What Explains Political Change? (11-12) • CAPTURE THE MAJOR POINTS

  5. Bell-Ringer 9-15-2008 • Explain the four answer that have traditionally been given to the question of who governs. • Marxist • Elitist • Bureaucratic • Pluralist

  6. BELL RINGER 9-16-2008 • What is representative democracy and do any of the four theories of elitist politics allow for the possibility of representative democracy in this country, WHY • Pages 6-10 • Was last question in GRQs

  7. ANSWER • Representative Democracy is a political system in which political power is conferred on those selected by the voters in competitive elections • None of the theories of elite rule would allow for representative democracy • MARX – places political power in the hands of the owners of the means of production, not elected representatives

  8. ANSWER CONTINUED • Weber – bureaucratic theory places political power in the hands of appointed officials, not elected ones • Power Elite Theory – MILLS – places political power in the hands of two nonelectoral groups, corporate heads and military officers • Pluralist Theory – places political power in the arena of bargaining among elites, many of whom are not elected

  9. Bell-Ringer 9-18-2008 • What are the SIX substantive goals that the Framers of the Constitution wanted to have the government achieve from day to day? • What were the Framers two means of achieving these goals? • PAGES: 155-156

  10. ANSWER • Framers of the Constitution did not try to create a government that would do from day to day “what the people want.” They created a government for the purpose of achieving certain substantive goals • Preamble • Form a more perfect union • Establish justice • Ensure domestic tranquility • Provide for the common defense • Promote the general welfare • Secure the blessings of liberty

  11. ANSWER • How to achieve these goals • Popular rule – people to vote for members of House of Representatives and later for Senators and presidential electors • No one public opinion would dominated because there would be many factions

  12. ANSWER 2. Not easy to know what public thinks – so we employ Public Opinion Polls – to understand what public wants and needs

  13. Bell-Ringer 9-19-2008 • Outline “What is Public Opinion?” • Pages 156-158; stop at Political Socialization: The Family

  14. Bell-Ringer 9-22-08 • Outline: “Political Socialization” Pages 158-162 • Outline: “Cleavages in Public Opinion” Pages 162-167

  15. Bell-Ringer 9-29-08 • Outline • Political Ideology – pages 167-172

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