Empirical Theories

Modern Theories of Democracy

Create in your notebookGov’t Systems Definition (Who is

allowed to participate?)Examples

Monarchy

Constitutional Monarchy

Dictatorship

Oligarchy

Pluralism

Gov’t Systems Definition (How are decisions reached?)

Examples

Pure Democracy

Representative Democracy

Totalitarian Regime

Authoritative System

Constitutional System

Types of Government Systems

Democratic Theories

Who has Power?

The People - a majority of people on a particular issue determine policy.

Civil Rights/liberties of numerical minorities are protected as well.

Democratic Theories

How Much Power?

No one group constitutes a majority on all issues. 

Compromise is necessary to get enough agreement to achieve a majority.

Democratic Theories

View of Government and Politicians?

Government is the arena in which compromises are struck and the means by which the will of the majority on a particular issue is realized. Politicians are elected to represent their constituents.

Democratic Theories

How Influence Policy?

Attempts by different groups to persuade a majority of the people to support their point of view.

Democratic Theories

View of Public Opinion and Media?

Public Opinion is ultimate point at which decisions are made.  The role of the media is to provide accurate information to public so that they can make decisions.

Pluralist Theories

Who has Power?

Certain Interest Groups (e.g. Labor Unions & Corporations).   Not all people in society represented by interest groups & not all groups equally powerful.

Pluralist Theories

How Much Power?

No one group dominates - but these groups compete.  Those groups with more money & contacts have more power.

Pluralist Theories

View of Government and Politicians?

Government is the battleground on which the interest groups compete to influence policy.

Pluralist Theories

How Influence Policy?

Interest groups use lobbying and campaign contributions to attempt to influence politicians to their point of view.

Pluralist Theories

View of Public Opinion and Media?

Popular opinion can matter on some issues (e.g. elections) so interest groups buy ads to attempt to manipulate public opinion on certain issues.

Elite Theories

Who has Power?

One core elite - typically of the wealthiest people.

Elite Theories

How Much Power?

One Elite has total Control of American Politics.

Elite Theories

View of Government and Politicians?

Government is a tool of the elite. All politicians serve as pawns for the interests of the elite...Political Differences are trivial and illusory. The Elite determines which candidate will win in pseudo-elections.

Elite Theories

How Influence Policy?

Through ownership of all key assets including media & through "pawns" in the government.

Elite Theories

View of Public Opinion and Media?

Manipulated by the Elites through the media.

Hyperpluralist Theories

Who has Power?

Many Interest Groups.

Hyperpluralist Theories

How Much Power?

Interest Groups have so much power nothing gets done.

Gridlock

Hyperpluralist Theories

View of Government and Politicians?

Government is weakened and unable to act.

Politicians give in to every group so no policies are created.

Hyperpluralist Theories

How Influence Policy?

Go to the courts if they do not get what

they want from Congress

Hyperpluralist Theories

View of Public Opinion and Media?

Popular opinion can matter on some issues (elections) so interest groups buy ads to attempt to manipulate public opinion on certain issues.

Challenges to Democracy

1. Increased Technology– Changes how individuals get their

information (evening news v websites)– Information is more easily available to public– Increasingly difficult for individual citizens to

make well-informed decisions (too much info)

Challenges to Democracy

• Limited Participation in Government

• How do Age and Education relate to voting?

• Electoral requirements that decrease voter turnout– Citizenship– Age – Residency requirements– ID requirements

• What are the four linkage institutions? How do each connect citizens to government?

Escalating Campaign Costs

• 2012 Presidential Election– Obama $775.4 million– Romney $460.2 million

• 2012 Congressional Election– Ted Cruz $14,031,864– Roger Williams $3,035,074

Explain how an increase in cost of elections campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.

Diverse Political Issues• Political gridlock • Divided government• Liberal v Conservative

Explain how divided government has contributed to decrease in trust and confidence in government.

Consequences of the decrease in trust in confidence in government for individual political behavior