Leveraging Democracy V2: How To Utilize Platforms Like Reddit For Growth Hacking
Democracy theories v2
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Transcript of Democracy theories v2
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Democracy
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Democracy
Basic Definition:
System of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and respondsto the public’s preferences
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Democracy
Famous Quote about America:
Government of the people, by the people, and for the people
From?Gettysburg Address
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Democratic Theory
Key principlesthat specify how governmental decisionsare made in a Democracy
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Democratic Theory
According to political scientistRobert Dahl (Yale)
The ideal democratic processshould satisfy 5 criteria
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria
(1) Equality in Voting
“ One person, One vote”
Does not have to be . . . Universal
But must be . . . Representative
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria
(2) Effective Participation
Citizens must have
Adequate and Equal opportunitiesto express their preferences
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria
(3) Enlightened Understanding
Marketplace of ideas
Freedom of Speech & Press are essential
If one group monopolizesand distorts information, Citizens cannot truly understand
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria
(4) Citizen Control of the Agenda
Collective right to control the government’sPolicy Agenda
the issues that attract the attentionof public officials and other peopleinvolved in politics at any given time
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria
(4) Citizen Control of the Agenda
Problem:If one group has influence beyond its numbers (of people
represented)
Citizen control of the Agendawill be distorted
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria
(5) Inclusion
Government must includeand extend rights to All.
Citizenship must be open to all within a nationif it is to call itself Democratic.
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Fundamental Principles
MAJORITY RULE
When choosing among alternative policies
The desires of the Majority should be respected
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Fundamental Principles
MINORITY RIGHTS
The Majority should not be able to doANYTHING it wants
Especially if what it wants to doseriously infringes on the rights of the Minority
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Fundamental Principles
REPRESENTATION
In a LARGE SOCIETY
Direct political involvement by all is impossible.Solution?Use of people to represent others in governmental decision making.
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Contemporary Theories
An Important & Basic Question
WHO REALLY GOVERNS?3 Contemporary Theories . . .
* Pluralist* Elite & Class* Hyperpluralism
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Pluralist Theory
Groups with shared interests influence public policy by pushing for decisionsthat respond to their concerns.
Essentially optimistic that the “public interest” will eventually prevail through a process of bargaining and compromise.
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Pluralist Theory
“all active and legitimate groups in thepopulation can make themselves heard at some crucial stage in the process”
We are a “nation of joiners” Robert Dahl
Alexis de Tocqueville1830’s
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Pluralist Theory
Have Americans reduced this tendencyto be “joiners” & members of groups?
Robert Putnam (Harvard)2000
Technology has isolated people.We are more involved in self-defined ways instead of in groups
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Elite & Class Theory
Society is divided along class linesUpper class elite will hold significant powerWealth is the basis of this power
The wealthy can afford to finance election campaigns & control key institutions such as corporations
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Elite & Class Theory
“The people who own the country ought to govern it”
John Jay 1st Chief Justice
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Elite & Class Theory
“Many of our rich men have not been contentwith equal protection and equal benefits, but have besought us to make them richer by act of Congress”
Andrew Jackson 7th President
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Elite & Class Theory
“The 1980’s were the triumph of upper America – an ostentatious celebration of wealth, the political ascendancy of the richest third of the population, and a glorification of capitalism, free markets and finance”.
Kevin PhillipsNixon strategist
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Hyperpluralism
Groups are so strong that Government is weakened
Resulting in an extreme form of Pluralism
In a sense, groups treat government as their servant
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Hyperpluralism
Groups push for their own policiesat whichever level and branch of governmentmay result in policies they favor
Create “battlegrounds” atNational, State & Local levelsin Executive, Legislative, & Judicial branches
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy
Hyperpluralism
Governments respond to all groups
Creating policies that areconfusing, contradictory & muddled . . .
The “public interest” is rarely well served