Constitutional Underpinnings

What is politics?

Word Association
What words come to mind when you hear the word politics? Does the word have a more positive or negative connotation?

Machiavelli
Machiavellis name is synonymous with tough and dirty politics Author of The Prince. One of historys first political scientists.

Machiavelli Quotes
The ends justify the means. It is better to be feared than loved. By no means can a prudent ruler keep his word. Because all men are bad and do not keep promises to you, you likewise do not have to keep your promises to them.

Can we be hopeful about politics?

Yes We Can

straight talk campaign

A neutral view of politics

Harold D. Lasswell Who gets what, when, and how. (and where) All of us are political, were just not used to calling it that. You dont have to take a class to get politics. Aristotle was correct when he wrote, Man is by nature a political animal.

State of Nature game

Why were teams successful? Was it strategy or an unfair advantage? How would the outcome be different if teams were not allowed to attack, only invest?

Social Contract Theory

The only valid government is one based on the consent of the governed. - Locke Rulers and citizens enter into an agreement, or a social contract Government by the people, masses

Lockes influence on the US

A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another - John Locke, of Civil Government We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal. Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

Political Power
Power ability of one person to cause another person to act in accordance Authority right to use power Legitimacy what makes the law or leader a source of right

Pick the illegitimate leader!!!

A.) Bush

B.) Calderon

C.) Ahmedinejad

D.) Putin

What makes a Democracy?

Principles necessary for a democracy to exist. 1. Universal suffrage (everyone vote) 2. Political Equality (all votes counted equally) 3. Majority Rule 4. Government responds to public opinion

Can uneducated/poor people be trusted?

Direct Democracy citizens create/vote on laws Problems
1. Impractical for reasons of time, expertise
How do you get 300 million people to vote multiple times per day on issues they know nothing about?

2. Masses of people make unwise decisions based on emotions (Hitler was elected)

The masses are turbulent and changing and seldom judge or determine right. -Alexander Hamilton

Representative Democracy (Republic)

Citizens elect representatives Govt MEDIATES popular views
Will of the people Common interest EX. Lower gas prices, minority rights

Reps are educated on issues at hand Prevents fast, sweeping change Minority rights more likely to be protected

Theories explaining how democracies ACTUALLY function

1. Majoritarian Theory 2. Pluralist Theory

= leaders are forced to follow the wishes of the people because majority rules

= groups compete and compromise with each other to get the govt to do what they want

3. Elite Theory = groups or people who possess the most more power (money or influence) dominate govt

4. Bureaucratic Theory = appointed officials dominate the govt through unelected jobs

Democracy Theory Test

What theory is supported by the fact that 1. The US holds mainly elections where the person who receives the most votes wins. 2. Most US representatives are upper class people. 3. The President appoints hundreds of people for govt jobs or judgeships, all have special powers. 4. Interest groups spend millions of dollars toward campaigns of favored candidates. 5. Govt can call for referendums, or votes by the people to pass or strike down potential laws. 6. The candidate who raises the most money for an election almost always wins.

Pluralism
1. Modern society consists of many groups (ex. Economic, religious, cultural, ethnic.) that compete with each other to achieve goals 2. Groups that influence govt, work hard, and have largest membership get what they want 3. Even if the average citizen does not keep up with politics, their interests will be protected by their group. 4. Groups must COMPROMISE to achieve goals

Arguments for and against the Pluralist view

FOR AGAINST

Relatively low numbers of There is no unified people join interest groups. majority in the US that always acts together. Poor citizens have less opportunity to join interest Govt leaders must groups or contribute to please groups to gain them. votes and money to be reelected. One cant assume that group decisions are always Groups must compete in the best interest of the for govt services and nation. favorable laws.

Marxist Theory (Elite)

Control the economic system = control the political system. Politicians require massive funding to win elections, and rely on corporations to supply them.

A Reminder
These are only theories. They are peoples perception of our democracy and the way it functions. Which theory is correct???
Pluralist most popular today Majoritarian popular pre-1950s Elite rising since the 80s (Michael Moore) Bureaucratic govt spending more than ever before just to run itself