The Struggle for Democracy

By Greenberg and Page

Chapter 1- Democracy and American Politics

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time, democracy is the worst form of government.

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965), Hansard, November 11, 1947

The bewildered herd are a problem. We've got to prevent their rage and trampling. We've got to distract them. They should be watching the Super Bowl or sitcoms or violent movies or something. Every once in a while you call on them to chant meaningless slogans like 'Support Our Troops', and you've got to keep them pretty scared because unless they're scared properly and frightened of all kinds of devils that are going to destroy them from outside or inside or somewhere, they may start to think, which is very dangerous because they're not competent to think, and therefore it's important to distract and to marginalize them.

From a lecture by Noam Chomsky, on the power elite's conception of democracy in America

Chapter 1 Democracy and American Politics

Objectives
My bright and capable students will be able to do the following at the end of this lesson:

1. To trace the early development of the United States, naming key players and significant events which shaped this country. 2. To Identify elements found in the analytical framework of the US Constitution

Chapter 1 Democracy and American Politics

Objectives
My bright and capable students will be able to do the following at the end of this lesson: 3. To identify and apply the fundamental principles of a representative democracy.

4. To present information on democracy as the original writers of the Constitution envisioned and to present information on how democracy is practiced today.

Some scholars believe democracy

best protects human rights because it recognizes worth and equality of human beings reaches decisions based on total populations expertise and knowledge encourages economic growth and development

develops human beings best talents and abilities

Democracy system of rule by ordinary people, defined by existence of popular sovereignty, political equality, and political liberty

Direct Democracy

Representative Democracy

Fundamental Principles of Representative Democracy

1. Popular Sovereignty people ultimately rule
Government policies reflect wishes of people Government leaders are elected Elections are free and fair People participate in the political process Quality information available Majority rules

Fundamental Principles of Representative Democracy

2. Political Equality- Each person carries equal weight in conduct of government business 3. Political Liberty Citizens are protected from government interference of basic freedoms of speech, association, and conscience.

Federalism Division of powers between national government and regional governments

1789 - US Constitution prescribed federal system of government for US 1846 Texas joins US federal system

US Constitution The Analytical Framework

Governmental Action

President, Congress Supreme Court, The Bureaucracy

Governmental Level Political Linkages

Public opinion, news media, interest groups, movements, elections, political parties

Economy and Society

Structural Level

Culture International System Constitutional Rules

US Constitution The Analytical Framework

Structure - Forms the foundation upon all else is built. Determines what issues become part of political agenda, how power is distributed, what rules structure government, and what values Americans apply to political deliberations Political Linkage The links that relay wants and demands to those government officials and shape policies as a result. Government Includes all public officials and institutions that have formal and legal responsibilities for making public policy Government Action Actions carried out by government including making laws, issuing rules and regulations, waging war and providing national defense, settling civil disputes, providing order