| What I got from reading 28 August 2004 Chapter 1--Democracy in the United States Intro: Election night 2000 Florida = governed by George W. Bush's brother The media humiliates themselves trying to predict who will win the election Florida required a recount b/c of messed up ballots and illegal voting (some dead people and felons voting and wrongful disqualifying others). "elections are the key to understanding contemporary American Democracy" (p5) A democracy is setup so that citizens are required to participate. A Unique Conception of Democracy: Citizens think govt politics are corrupt, doing too little for too much money. Max Weber (German sociologist) stated that govt is not reason or eloquence; it is force. Thomas Hobbes (English political philosopher) answered why we have govt at all--life would be "a war of all against all," "nasty, brutish and short." To improve situation, cooperation is necessary. Govt forces it. The saving and destroying of lives depends on type of govt. *Democracy- form of govt in which citizens share power *Direct Democracy- ordinary ppl make all the laws themselves @town meetings; otherwise, elected reps make most govt decisions. *Republic- representative democracy in which citizens elect officials to select policies Madison endorsed "checks and balances". *Checks and Balances- limits that branches of govt put on each other, preventing power abuse. Lots of citizen involvement requires informed citizens looking @future. Passive citizen involvement results in more talk than action. In America, citizens incorrectly believe they have no control over the govt. Elections are Plentiful: American politics have evolved for more participation--increasing elections & campaigning National Elections: Every 2 yrs voters pick 435 members of House of Reps and 1/3 of Senate; every 4 yrs voters pick President and Vice President. State Elections: Citizens in each state choose state officials. Local Elections: mayors, city councils, sheriffs, county treasurers, boards, school boards, etc. Judicial System: In 37 states, voters elect some judges. *Recall Election- dissatisfied citizens try to remove sitting officials during their terms. There are more elections than there are officials!! *Primary Election- election that narrows the # of candidates by choosing a member from each party to run in the election. *General Election- Selects the officer. *Nonpartisan Election- where candidates dont use party labels. Elections not choosing officials: *Initiatives- proposed laws or Constitutional Amendments on ballots by citizen petition. *Referenda- Laws or state constitutional amendments proposed by a legislative body; won't go into effect unless voters approve it. People in the US vote a lot more than any other country! Limits of voting: 1. not just in the booth, lots of decision making & preparing 2. outcomes are determined by actions of participants before the campaign 3. elections may be the key, but aren't the only thing in American Democracy The Permanent Campaign *Permanent Campaign- the campaigning never ends (no longer a line between campaigning and governing) Causes: 1. Public officials used to be elected the same day. Elections are now more frequent and separated. 2. There were 2 political parties--Democrats (left wing) & Republicans (aka Grand Old Party, right wing); reforms and social changes killed their domination. 3. To eliminate corruption, primary elections select party nominees. 4. Candidates must utilize technological developments in media and get on tv, radio, internet to win 5. Abundance of interest groups pushing their reasons year round 6. Politicians get info from polls often, and get immediate opinions from the public minds 7. Campaigning is expensive, and politicians must be fundraising constantly *Constituencies- those legally entitled to vote for a public official *Electoral Incentive- desire to obtain or retain elected office. Resolution of problems are delayed and worsen due to leaders having to pursuade or bargain with opponents. Evaluating America's New Democracy Having standards of perfection will make people unhappy with the realistic results. How the US is better and worse off than other countries: rights and privileges poverty rates higher (compared to countries w/ vote more often similar standards) speak minds more freely distribution of income less even find out what govt is doing lack of access to adequate medical care less likely to be discriminated housed, fed, clothed better than other industrialized countries: owes less money more murdered and imprisoned |