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Democracy: Principles and Institutions

Democracy: Principles and Institutions. I. Forms of Government. 1) Source of power/sovereignty Power from the people  democracy Direct vs. Representative (republic) Power withheld from the people authoritarian dictatorship: autocracy, monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, kleptocracy, theocracy

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Democracy: Principles and Institutions

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  1. Democracy: Principles and Institutions

  2. I. Forms of Government 1) Source of power/sovereignty • Power from the people democracy • Direct vs. Representative (republic) • Power withheld from the people authoritarian dictatorship: autocracy, monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, kleptocracy, theocracy • Strive for totalitarian control; militaristic; outward appearances of democracy • Illiberal democracy: form w/o content

  3. 2) Geographic Distribution • Unitary • State governments; Danville exists at convenience of Sacramento • Confederate • Independent, sovereign states in loose alliance • Key: cannot legislate over individuals • Federal • Overlapping division central (federal, state) and regional governments (State)

  4. 3) Division of Power within Government • Legislative (makes laws); Executive (executes/carries out laws); Judicial (interprets laws) • Divisions not so clear cut: necessary overlap • Presidential: separate, independent, coequal, checks and balances • Parliamentary: executive members of legislature: chosen by, removable by, legislature • No confidence votes; coalition governments • Less likely to deadlock/fewer checks + balances

  5. II. Principles of Democracy • 1) Fundamental worth + dignity every person • 2) Equality of all • A) opp’y B) law • 3) Majority rule w/minority rights • 4) Necessity compromise (process, not end) • 5) Widest degree indiv. freedom

  6. III. Necessary Ideals • 1) Effective Participation • 2) Equality in Voting • 3) Enlightened Understanding • 4) Final control over agenda • 5) Inclusion of adults

  7. IV. Required Institutions • 1) Elected officials • 2) Free, fair, frequent elections • 3) Freedom of expression • 4) Alternative sources information • 5) Associational autonomy • 6) Inclusive citizenship • Capitalism?

  8. V. Advantages of Democracy • 1) Avoid tyranny • 2) Essential rights • 3) General freedom • 4) Self determination • 5) Moral autonomy • 6) Human development • 7) Protecting essential personal interests

  9. 8) Political equality • 9) Peace-seeking • 10) Prosperity

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