1. Unit 1: Theories of
Democratic Government
Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America (p.p. 16-20)
LEQ: Who really governs our country?

2. Democracy
How do we define democracy?
Is is synonymous with freedom,
justice and peace?
Lincoln’s eternal definition of
democracy as one “of the people, by
the people and for the people.”

3. Lincoln’s Democracy
Does our government work “...of the
people, by the people, and for the
people.”
How each of these matters is being
met is crucial for evaluating how
well our government is working

4. Lincoln (cont’d)
Always been a government of the
people, framers forbid granting
titles of nobility
By the people is impossible with more
than 300 million Americans
For the people?

5. Traditional
Democratic Theory
According to Robert Dahl, what is
needed for an ideal democratic
process?

6. Traditional
Democratic Theory
According to Robert Dahl, what is needed for an ideal
democratic process?
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding/marketplace of ideas
Citizens control the agenda
Inclusion, citizenship to all

7. Traditional Democratic Theory
(cont’d)
What is majority rule?
What are minority rights?
What is representation?
The closer the correspondence between
representatives and their constituents, the
closer the approximation to an ideal democracy

8. Three Contemporary Theories of
American Democracy
Theories of American
Democracy are essentially
theories about who has
power and influence

9. Three Contemporary Theories of
American Democracy (1/3)
What is Pluralist Theory?
Group politics
Dahl: “all active and legitimate groups in the
population can make themselves heard at some crucial
stage in the process.”
Public interest will prevail through bargaining and
compromise
Is “interest group” activity (lobbying) in
Washington seen as a positive or negative? Why?

10. Three Contemporary Theories of
American Democracy (1/3)
(cont’d)
What is Robert Putnam’s view on
Pluralism Theory? Do you agree?
What might critics say of Pluralism
Theory?

11. Three Contemporary Theories of
American Democracy (2/3)
What is Elite and Class Theory?
“Big business”
1/3 wealth is held by 1%, augment
elections with funding

12. Three Contemporary Theories of
American Democracy (3/3)
What is Hyperpluralism?
Too many ways for groups to control policy
Groups have become sovereign and gov’t is their
servant
Courts become another battleground where groups try
to bend policy to suit their purpose
e.g. Ecologist preventing construction

13. Three Contemporary Theories of
American Democracy
Agree or Disagree: Public
interest is rarely
translated into public
policy

14. Challenges to
Democracy (1/4)
Increased technical expertise
Average Joe needs to make
informed decisions in a world of
ever-extending knowledge

15. Challenges to
Democracy (2/4)
Limited participation in government

16. Challenges to
Democracy (3/4)
When democracy confronts the might of
money, the gap between democratic
theory and reality widens
Escalating campaign costs
PACs: Political Action
Committees, represent specific
economic interests

17. Challenges to
Democracy (4/4)
Diverse political interests
Policy gridlock
e.g. Obama and Republican
Congress