Introduction to American Government

Susan B. Hansensusanbh2005@yahoo.comCell: 010.5677.7879

Lecture 2: Democracy

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Definitions

• democrat – favors popular government • republican – representative government• Republican - political party member• Democrat – political party member• Classical liberalism – values individual rights, economic

freedom, limited government• Modern liberalism – favors active government role in

society and economy• Federation: central government is more powerful• Confederation: states have more power

Key Values of Democracy (Hudson)

• Popular rule– “One person, one vote”

• Liberty– Human rights

• Equality– At least equal in political power

Many different institutions can be compatible with these values

Other Key Values of Democracy

Choice + Voice • Choice

– fair and frequent elections– alternative parties or candidates with equal access to media,

campaign funds– can move freely to other countries/states/cities– Peaceful transitions to opposing parties (Korea 1993)

• Voice – access to ballot– can freely organize, protest, criticize, publish

Models of Democracy

  Protective Developmental Pluralist Participatory

Goal or purpose

Protect liberty (market relations and private property)

Nurture citizenship

Protect and promote diversity

Foster participation

Role of Citizens

Passive Active Passive Active

Institutional mechanisms

Separation of powers and representation

Representation Interest groups and elections

Neighborhood assemblies and workers' councils

Equality Political Political and Social Political Econ/Pol/Soc

Human natureSelfish and

acquisitiveCapable of civic

virtueSelfish and

acquisitiveCapable of civic

virtue

Preconditions for Democracy?

• Political order• Level of development-wealth• Capitalism• Education-literacy• Shared culture/values/language• Nongovernmental organizations, unions, political

parties

-Can the US export democracy to Iraq???

Democracies Aren’t Perfect!

• Can make bad decisions

Viet Nam – Iraq – racism - drug policy• May ignore majorities, suppress minorities

Internment of Japanese-Americans• Economic policy failures – 1933 German Weimar

Republic, Latin American inflation• Institutional paralysis – unable to decide

Cybernetic Democracy

• Open to change in people, institutions

Frequent elections

Transparency of rules and policies

Limited terms of office

Competition for support = responsiveness

• Dictators are rigid, hard and costly to dislodge:

Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Mao