Theories of Democratic Government Theories of Democratic Government

Theories of Democratic Government

Theories of Democratic Government • Power and Authority

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

Theories of Democratic Government • Power and Authority is the legal right to use power.

Theories of Democratic Government • Power and 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.

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • Question: What makes a law or a constitution a source of authority?

Theories of Democratic Government • Answer: Legitimacy

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

Theories of Democratic Government • The Meaning of Democracy

Theories of Democratic Government • The Meaning of Democracy (1):

Theories of Democratic Government • The Meaning of Democracy (1): “The rule of the many” Aristotle

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • The Meaning of Democracy (2):

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

Theories of Democratic Government • The Meaning of 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • Problems with representative government

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • Distribution of Political Power

Theories of Democratic Government • Distribution of Political Power Even in a democracy, policy will reflect the views of those who are most sufficiently motivated to participate actively in policymaking.

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

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • Theories on Political Elites

Theories of Democratic Government • Theories on Political Elites 1. Marxist Theory:

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

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

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • Theories on Political Elites 2. Nongovernmental Elitist Theory:

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

Theories of Democratic Government 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.

Theories of Democratic Government • Theories on Political Elites 3. Bureaucratic Theory:

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

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

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

Theories of Democratic Government • Theories on Political Elites 4. Pluralist Theory:

Theories of Democratic Government • 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.

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

Theories of Democratic Government • Political Change

Theories of Democratic Government • Political Change Who governs and how government behaves are two questions answered differently with changing circumstances.

Theories of Democratic Government • Political Change What government does today is heavily influenced by what it did yesterday.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 1: In the 1920 s the general rule was that the federal government should play a minimal role in individual lives.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 1: In the 1920 s the general rule was that the federal government should play a minimal role in individual lives. From the 1930 s through the 1970 s that view changed and government began to provide a “safety net” all Americans.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 1: In the 1980 s, Ronald Reagan began to reverse that trend by cutting taxes, spending less on social programs, and reducing federal regulations on businesses. Thus less government involvement.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 2: American policy in foreign affairs has seen many changes. When the nation was founded, policy was a response to the actions of France and England.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 2: American policy in foreign affairs has seen many changes. When the nation was founded, policy was a response to the actions of France and England. By the 1840 s, the U. S. looked toward expansion into lands owned by Mexico and Canada.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 2: In the 1890 s the U. S. practiced colonialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Theories of Democratic Government • Example 2: In the 1890 s the U. S. practiced colonialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific. From isolationism between the World Wars to the role of international leader after World War II.

Theories of Democratic Government • Political change is not always accompanied by changes in policy and law, but the policy process is one of the best guides to who governs and how they govern.