Democracy and
American Politics

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Video: The Big Picture

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http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/
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Greenberg_Ch01_Democracy_and_American_Politics_Seg1
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Learning Objectives

1.1

1.2

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Explain the meaning of democracy and its use as a standard to evaluate
American government and politics
Outline a systematic framework for thinking about how government and politics work

Learning Objectives

1.3

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Think about ways to analyze the question: Does government work?

Video: The Basics

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/
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Seg2_IntroAmrGov_v2.html

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Democracy
 Democratic Origins
 Direct Versus Representative Democracy
 Benchmarks of Representative
Democracy
 Objections to Liberal Democracy

1.1

Democratic Origins
 Democracy not popular
 Oligarchy/Aristocracy
 Monarchy
 Was rule by the people advisable?

 Athenian ideal kept democracy alive
 City-state 5th century BCE

1.1

Video: In Context

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/
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Seg3_IntroAmGov_v2.html

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Direct Versus Representative
Democracy
 Direct Democracy
 All citizens meet and decide
 Unworkable in large areas

 Representative Democracy
 Select representatives to act on behalf of citizens

 Technology increases options for democratic engagement

1.1

Video: Thinking Like a
Political Scientist

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/
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Seg4_Intro_v2.html

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Rule by the Few

1.1

Rule by the Many

1.1

Benchmarks of Representative
Democracy
 Popular Sovereignty
 Government leaders are selected in competitive elections  Elections are free and fair
 People participate in the political process
 High-quality information is available

1.1

Benchmarks of Representative
Democracy
 Popular Sovereignty
 Majority rules
 Government policies reflect the wishes of the people
 Government policies are effective

1.1

Voting at long last

1.1

Benchmarks of Representative
Democracy
 Political Equality
 Equal protection
 Civil rights
 Linked to economic equality?

 Political Liberty
 Social contract

1.1

Objections to Liberal
Democracy
 “Majority tyranny” threatens liberty
 People are irrational and incompetent

1.1

Fear can undermine democracy

1.1

Objections to Liberal
Democracy
 Majoritarian democracy threatens minorities 1.1

1.1 Which of the following is NOT one of the benchmarks of representative democracy?
a. Popular sovereignty
b. Political liberty
c. Political linkage
d. Political equality

1.1

1.1 Which of the following is NOT one of the benchmarks of representative democracy?
a. Popular sovereignty
b. Political liberty
c. Political linkage
d. Political equality

1.1

Explore the Constitution: How Do
You Measure Freedom?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/ long_greenberg_mpslsfd_11/pex/pex9.html 1

Framework for Understanding
How American Politics Works

1.2

 Organizing the Main Factors of Political Life
 Connecting the Main Factors of Political Life
 Understanding American Politics Holistically

Organizing the Main Factors of Political Life
 Structure
 Political linkage
 Government
 Government action

1.2

Connecting the Main Factors of Political Life
 Understanding how legislation occurs
 Follow the steps in the process
 Government action -> Government ->
Political linkage -> Structure

1.2

Understanding American
Politics