Chapter1

American Government and Politics: American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy, and CitizenshipDeliberation, Democracy, and Citizenship

Chapter 1:Deliberation and Citizenship in Service of Freedom and Democracy

Learning Objectives

Explain the difference between a “deliberative” democracy and one based entirely on self-interest.

Define democracy and describe the various forms it can take.

Analyze the Declaration of Independence by identifying and describing its key principles.

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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Learning Objectives

Describe how the principles of the Declaration have influenced American history.

Identify the major characteristics of liberal democracies and contrast liberal democracies to other kinds of political systems in the modern world.


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Learning Objectives

Explain the knowledge that citizens should have to contribute to decisions about the common good in the United States.


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Introduction

How to study politics: Politics is “who gets what, when, how” Government officials don’t always make

decisions based on their self-interest Need to consider political actions that benefit

the “public interest”


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Introduction

How pursuit of public interest works: Affects variety of political activities Policymaking relies on voluntary compliance

with law Healthy political community requires

volunteerism


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Introduction

Citizenship and Deliberation Citizenship is legal status according full

membership in political community Civic virtues important to citizenship:

Self-restraint Self-reliance Civic knowledge Civic participation and service


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Introduction

Citizenship and Deliberation Deliberation is reasoning on the merits of

public policy on behalf of public interests Patriotism Civic culture Civic duty

Deliberative democracy


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Introduction

Theories of American Democracy Group theory/pluralist theory Elite theory Rational choice theory


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Democracy

Democracy (rule by

the people) Direct democracy

Representative

democracy

Other types of rule: Aristocracy

Monarchy

Oligarchy

Plutocracy

Theocracy

Timocracy

Tyranny

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Democracy

The Democratic Tradition in the United States

Colonists brought democratic ideals and practices from Britain

Mayflower Compact Local self government in colonies

Direct democracy not practical beyond local level Representatives sent to colonial legislatures Voting restricted to male property owners


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Democracy

Why the Framers Chose Representative Democracy

Direct democracy impractical, dangerous Representative democracy allows for

deliberation Representative democracy includes “a greater

variety of parties or interests” Majority faction More practical over large distances


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Democracy

Direct Democracy in Modern American Politics

New England town meetings Initiative Referendum Progressive Movement influence of late 19th

and early 20th centuries


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Democracy

Apply the Definition: Rule by the People “Government of the people, by the people, for

the people” Popular sovereignty U.S. first to embrace this concept

Preamble begins “We the people. . .”


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Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address


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Democracy

Free Elections and Democratic Accountability

People are free to form political parties Free press and media Free elections Elected officials accountable to people


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Freedom and American Democracy

Major issues U.S. founded on

set of beliefs about foundations and purpose of government

Declaration of Independence Life, liberty and

pursuit of happiness

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Choosing Independence Lexington and Concord, April 1775 Second Continental Congress, May 1775 Publication of Common Sense

Paine attacks nature of monarchy and aristocracy 1776, colonists vote for independence


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Expressing the American Mind: The Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident All men are created equal Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness To secure these rights, governments are instituted

among men Deriving their just powers from the consent of the

governed It is the right of the people to alter it or abolish it


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Presentation of Declaration of Independence


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Concluding Oath Solemn oath of 56 signers

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”


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Universal Principles Fundamental principles of democracy and

governance do not change over time Differs from moral relativism and cultural relativism

Lasting direction and goal for American politics

Founders expected influence beyond U.S.


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Different Levels of Rights Natural rights Civil rights Political rights


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Democracy and Freedom in the Modern World

Liberal democracies: No guarantee democracies will promote

freedom Majorities may use power to oppress

minorities and violate rights Major problem: how can the majority promote

rights and interests of all?


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The Growth of Democratic Institutions End of Cold War accelerated growth of liberal

democracies Cold War marked by clash of communist regimes

and liberal democracies Communism begins decline in late 1980s, but still

totalitarian regimes Freedom in the World estimates

87 nations are free 60 nations partly free 48 nations not free


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Freedom in the World 2012


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Terrorism, Freedom, and Democracy

New threat: radical Islam and terrorism

al Qaeda and associated groups responsible for thousands of deaths

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Public and Private Spheres Totalitarian ideologies reject freedom as

purpose of government and reject limits on government

Line between private and public spheres can be issue in liberal democracies


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The Rule of Law Individuals must be protected from arbitrary

power Necessary condition for securing rights Without rule of law, rights can’t be secure


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Embracing New Goals Promoting social welfare has emerged as

important function Regulating commerce Promote material well-being

New Deal programs (1930s) Great Society programs (1960s) Health care?


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Citizenship and Deliberative Democracy

For democracy to function well, citizens must be educated about rights and responsibilities

Citizens can’t govern themselves without civic knowledge

Five key elements of common good: Justice Domestic tranquility Common defense General welfare Liberty


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What Americans need to know:The principles of self-government and just rule that informed the creation of the American nation, decisively influenced its history, and continue to affect its government and politicsThe rights that American government seeks to secure, including those specified in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of 1787, the Bill of Rights, and later Amendments


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What Americans need to know (continued):The provisions, principles, and purposes of the U.S. Constitution, including limited government, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balancesThe nature and functioning of the major institutions of American national government—especially the Congress, presidency, and federal courts—and whether they effectively meet their broad constitutional responsibilities or display serious deficiencies


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Documents

Chapter1