Consider: Is democracy the best form of government?

The Last Word: Assignment 3 for Tuesday; no quiz tomorrow

"Today is Bill Clinton's birthday. Hillary sent Bill an e-birthday card and out of habit she immediately deleted it." –Conan O'Brien

'The beautiful Heidi Klum is on the show tonight. Donald Trump was actually quoted as saying that Heidi is 'no longer a 10.' Heidi said the comment didn't bother her, especially coming from someone who was never even a 4.' –Jimmy Fallon

"Up to 11 states are poised to legalize weed, which would bring the total to 14 states. Marijuana activists are thrilled. They're saying, 'Wow, 14 states. That's more than half of the states.'" –James Corden

"According to a new poll, Jeb Bush saw a 6 percent drop in support after the first debate, but experts say he still has a shot because he's 'likable' and 'qualified.' Then Donald Trump said, 'Weird, the opposite is working for me.'" –Jimmy Fallon

"The White House is worried about Joe Biden's potential run for president, and a source says they fear that it wouldn't have the right outcome. That's right, they think he might win." –Jimmy Fallon

Types of Government and Theories of

Democracy

AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: CHAPTER 1

The Big Questions Once we realize that government is necessary,

we now need to answer these 2 great questions: Who (should) govern (power), and to what

ends (purpose)?

How have societies throughout history answered those 2 questions differently?

Key Aspects of GovernmentPower

What is your definition? What are some of the different ways that people exercise

power?

…In a democracy, the right to use power is based on…

LegitimacyThe mass feeling that governmental authority is rightful and should be obeyed.

Disagreeing with a policy or a politician and believing in a lack of legitimacy of the government are two different things.

Why might we feel that democratic governments are more legitimate than other governments?

What is the source of governmental legitimacy in the United States?

Types of Government, or…The Parable of the –isms

…or, “you have 2 cows…” DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. A vote is held, and the cows win. SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes one of them and

gives it to your neighbor. CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one of them, and buy a bull. The

cow and bull have a great love life; you sell the movie rights to Hollywood. Then you go into real estate.

ANARCHISM: You have two cows. You steal your neighbor's bull and ignore the government.

BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. Then it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows.

DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both cows and drafts you.

NAZISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and then shoots you.

LIBERTARIANISM: Go away. What I do with my cows is none of your business.

UNITED NATIONISM: You have two cows. France vetoes you from milking them. The United States and Britain veto the cows from milking you. New Zealand abstains.

Types of Democracy

What is the major difference between direct and indirect democracy?

Are there issues with direct democracy?

Is it possible to try this system today?

“Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear.”

- Alan Coren, British writer and satirist

Who Governs in a Democracy?

Pluralist viewthe belief that relatively fair competition

among all affected interests shapes public policy.

An optimistic view of the democratic process

No single group dominates the political process.

Competing interests often check each other, result is compromise

Win-Win, or Lose-Lose?

Who Governs in a Democracy?

• Hyperpluralism– There are so many groups which

influence government, action becomes difficult, if not impossible.

• A more pessimistic view

– Multitude of competing interests most often causes gridlock and inaction.

– Since all interest groups try to protect their self-interest, the policies that result from their pressure are haphazard and ill-conceived.

Critiquing Democracy

Examining aspects: Free, fair elections Separation of powers Majority rule Lobbying (Interest Groups/PACs) Campaign finance Congress The Supreme Court The Presidency

Most can agree that our nation has problems that, at times, it struggles to solve.

Is our current democratic structure able to meet these challenges in the 21st century?

ConsiderConsider: Why does Plato think democracy is NOT : Why does Plato think democracy is NOT such a great idea? Who does such a great idea? Who does hehe think should think should

govern?govern?

The Last Word: Assignment 3 for Monday

Is democracy the best system?

What makes a government “good”, “effective”, or whatever we want it to be?