Chapter 2 MAJORITARIAN OR PLURALIST DEMOCRACY?. Learning Outcomes 2.1 Distinguish between the two...

Chapter 2Chapter 2

MAJORITARIAN MAJORITARIAN OR PLURALIST OR PLURALIST DEMOCRACY?DEMOCRACY?

Learning Outcomes

2.1 Distinguish between the two theories of democratic government used in political science: procedural and substantive.

2.2 Compare and contrast the majoritarian and pluralist models of democracy.

2.3 Evaluate the challenges facing countries trying to move toward a democratic form of government.

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 2

The Theory of Democratic Government

Ancient Greeks Classified Governments by Number of Citizens Involved in Process

Classifications Run as Continuum: Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy



The Meaning and Symbolism of Democracy Democracy: ancient Greek

Demos = common people and kratos = power

What constitutes democracy: two views Democracy is a form of government Democracy is in the substance of government

policies


Time to Vote



The Procedural View of Democracy How government should make decisions:

Who should participate? How much should each vote count? How many votes needed for a decision?

Universal participation Political equality Majority rule



A Complication: Direct Versus Indirect Democracy Participatory democracy – rare in U.S. E-government Representative democracy Responsiveness


Let the People Decide



A Complication: Direct Versus Indirect Democracy Four principles of procedural democracy:

Universal participation Political equality Majority rule Government responsiveness to public opinion



Substantive View of Democracy Substantive democratic theory

Substance of government policies, not procedures

Government policies should guarantee civil liberties

Disagreement: social vs. civil rights Conservatives – narrow view Liberals – broader spectrum



Procedural Democracy Versus Substantive Democracy Substantive: no criteria for determining if country

is democratic Procedural: criteria can produce social policies

that clash with minority rights Choose to focus on either procedures or policies Compromise: balance legitimate minority and

majority interests


Institutional Models of Democracy

Institutional Mechanisms Necessary for Democratic Government Establishing procedures and organizations to

translate public opinion into policy Elections Political parties Legislatures Interest groups



Majoritarian Model of Democracy “Government by the people”: majority rule

Popular election of government officials Deciding government policy - initiative, referendum,

and recall

Assumes citizens are knowledgeable, want to participate, and make rational decisions in voting


Now That’s a Town Meeting



Alternative Model: Pluralist Democracy Pluralism – innumerable groups that share

economic, religious, ethnic, or cultural interest. “Government by the people”: people operating

via competing interest groups Two mechanisms:

Interest groups Decentralized structure of government


My Moms Got Married!



Majoritarian Model Versus the Pluralist Model Majoritarian model: mass public control

Conclusive elections Centralized government Cohesive Political Parties with well-defined

programs



Majoritarian Model Versus the Pluralist Model Pluralist model: interest groups control

Strong interest groups Decentralized government



Undemocratic Model: Elite Theory Identified and stable minority makes most

important government decisions Control key financial, communications, industrial, and

government institutions Power derived from wealth Define issues and affect outcomes

According to elite theory, U.S. is an oligarchy Powerful few manage issues and constrain outcomes



Elite Theory Versus Pluralist Theory Difference: durability of ruling minority Pluralist: struggle between competing interest

groups Wealthy groups have an advantage over poorer,

inadequately organized groups Critical weakness in pluralism: appears to justify

disparities Levels or political organization Resources among different segments of society


On Tonight’s Menu, Lots of Green


The Global Trend Toward Democracy

Two Models of Democratic Government Majoritarian – no government achieves high

degree of responsiveness demanded by model Pluralist – no government offers complete and

equal access to all competing groups Some nations approach ideals closely enough

to be practicing democracies



Establishing Democracies Governments meet some criteria for

procedural democracy and not others Global Trend toward democratization since

1975 Slight drop in recent years “Arab Spring”



American Democracy: More Pluralist Than Majoritarian U.S. political system low according to

majoritarian model, but fits pluralist model well American people’s trust in government has

fallen Would Americans be more satisfied with

another form of democracy?


Chapter 2 MAJORITARIAN OR PLURALIST DEMOCRACY?. Learning Outcomes 2.1 Distinguish between the two...

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