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Response to Debating Democracy: A Reader in American Politics and “How Not to Read the Constitution”. By: Tristan & Kristen. How Not to Read the Constitution By: Laurence H. Tribe and Michael C. Dorf. Balance between government control and individual liberties.
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Response to Debating Democracy: A Reader in American Politics and “How Not to Read the Constitution” By: Tristan & Kristen
How Not to Read the ConstitutionBy: Laurence H. Tribe and Michael C. Dorf • Balance between government control and individual liberties. • “Is the constitution simply a mirror in which one sees what one wants to see?” • The question posed is how do we interpret something so vague and highly principled without morphing the ideas of our founding fathers.
“Democracy’s Romantic Myths”By: John Mueller • Democracy needs to be responsive to the will of its citizens but without assuming authoritarian control. • The actual responsibility that the government assumes depends largely on the will of the leader. • Politicians listen to the will of the high-ranking individual over the “little guy” due to a limited time frame. • The fact is that though a democracy ‘requires’ active citizen participation, it is not in fact a necessity.
Food for Thought • Is a democracy as powerful now as it could be with a politically active citizenship? • Is democracy currently responsive to the will of its citizens? • Is capitalism a contradiction to the founding principles of democracy as it allows for a disruption of equality? • Is it fair that the ‘little guy’ is neglected in order for the ‘big guy’ to be heard?
“The Active Citizen”By: Paul Rogat Loeb • He suggests that the American population is typically uninformed and passive. • The withdrawal of the American citizens from an active political life is due to the fact that they feel insignificant, or that nothing is wrong, or if there is something that needs to be changed, somebody else will do it. • He believes that political activism promotes intellectual growth. • He then uses his Pete example to prove that individual efforts can, in fact, be productive. • Reason why civic involvement has declined: suburbanization, more women in the work force, demands of modern life, and television or technology.
Grits for Grasping • Is citizen participation declining? • Does political activism promote intellectual growth? • Is television the chief proponent in the demise of political activism, or does technology encourage active citizens? • Do Americans believe the world is fine and that others will solve the problems or will we take a stand?
“Myths of Rich and Poor” By: W. Michael Cox and Richard Alm • The United States is first and foremost the “Land of Opportunity” despite disparities in wealth. • Everyone has the opportunity to succeed; talent and hard work are the building blocks to success. • Many argue that the distribution of wealth demonstrates a loss of opportunity; however, he believes that “we are by no means a caste society.” • Experience is the key to success; start at the bottom and work your way up to a higher economic level. • “Opportunity, not equality of income, is what made the US economy grow and prosper. It’s most important to provide equality of opportunity, not equality of results.”
Munchies for Minds • How does opportunity present itself in American society? • Is it luck, or education and experience that are the keys to building a secure future? • Does the American society favor success and economic prosperity?
“For Richer” By: Paul Krugman • The disappearing middle class. • The economic gap was closing after the Gilded Age, but, as a new Gilded Age is approaching, the gap is widening. • Concentration of wealth at the top is the reason for poverty at the bottom. • Income growth directly relates to an individual’s hierarchical rank. • The ‘trickle down’ system has failed in American society because the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. • As the rich get richer it provides incentive for the poor to work harder. • Money can buy political and intellectual influence
Nuggets for Noggins • Are we currently living in a Gilded Age? • Is the gap between classes widening? • Is there a concentration of wealth at the top of the ladder of society? • Are the rich “stealing” from the poor? • Does the hope of wealth inspire lower classes to work hard? • Can money, or anything for that matter, buy political and intellectual influence and henceforth destroy the foundation of democracy?
