Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
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”)