AP Gov Three Types of Democracies Participatory Democracy

AP Gov Three Types of Democracies

Participatory Democracy • People vote directly for laws and other matters that affect them instead of voting for people to represent their interests • Examples: college students in 1960 s formed Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) called for direct involvement of ordinary citizens to protest wars abroad and inequality at home • Propositions in some states (if get enough signatures can place issues on the ballot for people to vote on)

Pluralist Democracy • Nongovernmental groups (interest groups) try to exert influence on political decision-making • They compete with each other to ensure people friendly to their ideas are elected • Pluralists theorists argue that no single view can control policy in the U. S. because ideas are so varied • Examples: National Rifle Association (NRA), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Elite Democracy • Elected representatives make all important political decisions • Theory argues power is unequally distributed and people with resources and influence (elites) dominate • Masses have become more involved, but some argue elite-dominated politics prevail today ex. individuals of a higher socioeconomic status, & more $, education & access to gov. officials will take more political action