Chapter One:

The Democratic Republic

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Learning Objectives

Understand why governments exist. Be familiar with and use appropriately the

terms: politics, government, and institutions. Understand the concepts of order (or security)

and liberty.Understand the concepts of authority and

legitimacy.

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Learning Objectives

Briefly describe several forms of government (totalitarianism, authoritarian regime, aristocracy, democracy).

Understand the difference between direct democracy on the one hand and a democratic republic (a representative democracy) on the other.

Explain why the United States is a democratic republic.

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Learning Objectives

Explain the key features of democracies (universal suffrage, consent of the governed, majority rule, limited government).

Describe competing theories of how the U. S. democracy works (majoritarianism, elite theories, and pluralism).

Describe the trade-off between order and liberty, and between equality and liberty (in the form of property).

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Learning Objectives

Define the concept of ideology and explain the dominant ideologies in the United States (liberalism and conservatism).

Distinguish between economic liberalism and conservatism and cultural liberalism and conservatism. Provide some distinguishing characteristics of selected totalitarian ideologies, specifically communism, fascism, and radical Islamism.

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Learning Objectives

Understand current demographic trends in the United States and assess the possible impacts of these changes on the political system.

Identify and explain the significance of the cultural values and ideologies that support the American political system.

Evaluate the challenges to the U.S. system posed by globalization and environmental change.

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Politics and Government

What is Politics? Process of resolving conflicts Struggle over power or influence within an organization

or informal groups

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Politics and Government

What Is Government? Institution that resolves conflicts

Institution that allocates benefits and privileges

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Why Is Government Necessary?

Security

Liberty

Authority

Legitimacy

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Why Choose Democracy?

Types of Regimes Totalitarian Authoritarian Oligarchy Democracy Anarchy

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Why Choose Democracy?

Direct Democracy as a Model Political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by

their elected representatives. Attained most easily in small political communities

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Why Choose Democracy?

Direct Democracy Today

Initiative Referendum Recall Teledemocracy

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Why Choose Democracy?

Dangers of Direct Democracy

Although the founders believed in government based on the consent of the people, they were concerned about mob rule.

Devised institutions to filter the popular will through

elected elites.

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Why Choose Democracy?

Republic: sovereignty rests with the people.

Democratic republic: power rests with the people, but policy decisions are made by elected officials.

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Why Choose Democracy?

Principles of Democratic Government

Universal suffrage

Majority rule

Free and competitive elections

Limited government based on a constitution

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Who Really Rules in America?

Theories About “Who Really Rules in America?”

Majoritarian Theory: government ought to do what the majority wants.

Elite Theory: small cohesive group makes nearly all political decisions.

Pluralist Theory: various groups compete for power.

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Fundamental Values

• What Is Political Culture?

• Political culture is a set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that are shared by all citizens.

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Fundamental Values

What Is Political Socialization?

Political socialization is the process by which beliefs and values are transmitted to new immigrants and children.

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Fundamental Values

Fundamental Political Values

Individual freedom Security Equality Order Security Property

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Fundamental Values20

Political Ideologies

What Is Political Ideology?

A political ideology is a set of beliefs about politics that provides a well-organized theory about the goals for a society.

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Political Ideologies22

Political Ideologies23

Political Ideologies

Liberalism: set of beliefs that maintains that government should improve people’s lives, support civil rights, and tolerate social change.

Conservatism: set of beliefs that maintains that government should have a limited role in helping people, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.

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The Challenge of Change

Demographic Changes:

Aging populationLow birthrateEthnic changes: growth of Hispanic population

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The Challenge of Change26

The Challenge of Change27

The Challenge of Change

Globalization:

Impacts employmentImpacts flow of goods and peopleDiminishes power of government

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The Challenge of Change

Environmental Changes:

Global warmingPandemicsPollution

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Web Links

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services information about the rules and requirements for immigration and citizenship: www.uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm

 U.S. Government

access to federal government offices and agencies: www.usa.gov

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What If…Citizens Were Required to Vote?

In the 2008 election, only 30% of the voting age population elected Barack Obama.

Groups that are less likely to vote include younger voters, less-educated citizens, and those who are economically disadvantaged.

Mandatory voting could lead to policies that help all citizens.

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What If…Citizens Were Required to Vote??

Unintended consequences of mandatory voting:

Increase in uninformed voters

Voting would not be considered voluntary

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