Constitution and Democracy

Constitution and Democracy

Democracy What is Democracy?

Government by the people: Leaders selected by competitive

elections with universal suffrage Government limited by rule of law

Political rights protected Speech, Assembly, Association, Religion

Democracy:Direct vs Republican (representative)

Direct Democracy A form of democratic government

where citizens vote directly on major issues and directly determine public policy -- Examples: ancient Greek democracy,

New England town meetings, and California propositions

Democracy:Direct vs Republican (representative)

Representative Democracy or A Republic A form of democratic government

where citizens elect representatives and delegate their authority to make decisions on public policy to those representatives Examples: the US Government with

Congress and the President, etc.

Conditions for DemocracyWhat social conditions enable

democracy? Education levels?

A. US fully literateB. Bangledesh very limited literacyC. Doesn’t matter

Conditions for DemocracyWhat social conditions enable

democracy? Wealth Levels?

Diversity: race, religion, language?

Conditions for DemocracyWhat social conditions enable

democracy? Wealth Levels?

A. RichB. PoorC. Doesn’t matter

Conditions for DemocracyWhat social conditions enable

democracy? Capitalism vs Socialism?

Capitalism: Private Property with Market Incentives Supply and Demand drive production/price

Socialism: Collective Property with Government Planning Government Command drives

production/price

Democracy & Economic SystemsThesis: Democracy needs capitalism to survive Capitalism may exist without democracy

Capitalism is a necessary,but not sufficient condition for democracy

Scotia California:a company town Pacific Lumber Company

PALCO

SCOTIA:CODE OF CONDUCTForbidden behaviors: Skateboarding, bicycling, obstructing traffic, etc Sitting on floors, stairs, handrails, planters or trash

receptacles Physically or verbally threatening anyone….

Engaging in non-commercial expressive activity without the proper written permission of the management of Scotia

…

Does Economics Matter?Imagine we live in…

Scotia

Does Economics Matter?Now imagine we live in Porterville,

Tulare County…

Capitalism and DemocracyThe Private Property of capitalism

enables democracy: Divides power Separates economic and political

power Requires citizen initiative in

community – people have to do some things for themselves

Capitalism and DemocracyDemocracy Requires: Ability to dissent: not just for heroes

and martyrs

Capitalism separates political and economic power, providing the possibility of meaningful dissent

Capitalism and Democracy

An Uneasy Marriage: Capitalism threatens democracy:

Concentrates economic power Economic power buys political power Unequal economic power leads to unequal

unequal access to political power

Democracy assumes, even needs, equality

Capitalism and DemocracyAn Uneasy Marriage: Democracy threatens capitalism Majority may vote away property rights to

achieve ‘equality’

Majority may vote to kill the goose that laid the golden egg of democracy

Capitalism and Democracy Capitalism leaves Social Space where

citizens fend for themselves Citizens form voluntary associations

to deal with problems that the government does not deal with

Examples: Soccer Leagues, PTAs, Churches,

Labor Unions, Trade Associations, Service Clubs, etc.

Capitalism and DemocracyAlexis de Toqueville Visited America 1831

Democracy in AmericaPublished book in 2 volumes1835 and 1840

Democracy in America: ThesisSuccess of American Democracy: Fundamental Culture of Equality

Common culture of virtue: “America is great because America is good. Should she cease to be good, she would cease to be great.”

Spirit of Volunteerism

Civil Society:Spirit of VolunteerismCivil Society: Volunteer organizations or associations that

citizens join to achieve goals independent of government.

Examples: PTA, Rotary Club, Job’s Daughters,

Soccer League, Little League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Churches, Neighborhood Watch, ETC…

Capitalism and DemocracyCapitalism creates need for Civil

SocietyHealthy, robust Civil Society is

absolutely necessary for democracy

Economic systems without private property do not enable or create Civil Society

Continued: Probably not in class from here on:Historical issues Constitutional Background Continental Congress Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses Shay’s rebellion, etc.

Constitutional Convention

Constitutional FramingCompromises and ratification

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

Three-fifths Compromise Slaves counted at 3/5 for census

Electoral College

Federalists / Anti-Federalists

The Constitution:Core structures Federalism Separation of Powers Executive Legislative Judicial

Constitution:Processes for maintenance and adaptation

Judicial Review Balance (Checks and Balances) Amendments Constitutional Interpretation

(“Adaptability”)