Constitutional Underpinnings What is politics Word Association

Constitutional Underpinnings What is politics?

Word Association • What words come to mind when you hear the word “politics”? • Does the word have a more positive or negative connotation?

Machiavelli • Machiavelli’s name is synonymous with tough and dirty politics • Author of The Prince. One of history’s first political scientists.

Machiavelli Quotes • “The ends justify the means. ” • “It is better to be feared than loved. ” • “By no means can a prudent ruler keep his word. Because all men are bad and do not keep promises to you, you likewise do not have to keep your promises to them. ”

Can we be hopeful about politics?

A neutral view of politics Harold D. Lasswell • Who gets what, when, and how. (and where) • All of us are political, we’re just not used to calling it that. You don’t have to take a class to get politics. Aristotle was correct when he wrote, “Man is by nature a political animal. ”

Social Contract Theory • “The only valid government is one based on the consent of the governed. ” - Locke • Rulers and citizens enter into an agreement, or a social contract • Government by the people, masses

Locke’s influence on the US • “A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another… - John Locke, of Civil Government • “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal. ” Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

Political Power • Power – ability of one person to cause another person to obey them • Authority – the (constitutional in our case) right to use power • Legitimacy – what makes the law or leader worthy of being obeyed – (was the election fair? Is the leader abusing your rights? )

What makes a Democracy? Urofsky’s “Root Principles of Democracy” – argues that there are 11 principles and 3 overarching themes that contributed to the evolution of American democracy (this was your “belated” summer HW)

Can the masses govern effectively? • Direct Democracy – citizens create/vote on laws • Problems 1. Impractical for reasons of time, expertise • How do you get 300 million people to vote multiple times per day on issues they no nothing about? 2. Masses of people make unwise decisions based on emotions (remember…the Nazis and Hitler were elected fair and square!!) • “The masses are turbulent and changing and seldom judge or determine right. ” -Alexander Hamilton

Representative Democracy (Republic) • Citizens elect representatives to governmental positions • Gov’t is the MEDIATOR between multiple viewpoints – “Will of the people” (Wot. P) ≠ “Common interest” (CI) – EX. (Wot. P) Congress shouldn’t spend so much money – our debt is too high already!! – vs. (CI) BUT…the Brent Spence Bridge on I-75 needs to be rebuilt because it is a main artery of US commerce. • Reps are educated on issues by other Reps. , staffers, lobbyists and constituents. • Good News/Bad News - Prevents fast, sweeping changes • More Good News/Bad News - Minority rights more likely to be protected

Theories explaining how democracies ACTUALLY function 1. Majoritarian Theory 3. Pluralist Theory = leaders are forced to follow the wishes of the people because majority rules – there are more of “us” (the voters) than of “them” (the politicians) = groups compete and compromise with each other to get the gov’t to do what they want – compromising means you get some but never all of what you want 4. Bureaucratic Theory 2. Elite Theory = groups or people who possess = appointed officials dominate the most power (money or gov’t through unelected jobs – influence) dominate gov’t – so many government agencies corporations and interest groups exist that no single person can lobby and donate money to grab power for themselves influence the outcome

Democracy Theory Test What theory is supported by the fact that… 1. The US holds mainly elections where the person who receives the most votes wins. 2. Most US representatives are upper class people. 3. The President appoints hundreds of people for gov’t jobs or judgeships, all have special powers. 4. Interest groups spend millions of dollars toward campaigns of favored candidates. 5. Gov’t can call for referendums, or votes by the people to pass or strike down potential laws. 6. The candidate who raises the most money for an election almost always wins.

Pluralism 1. Modern society consists of many groups (ex. Economic, religious, cultural, ethnic. ) that compete with each other to achieve goals 2. Groups that influence gov’t, work hard, and have largest membership get what they want 3. Even if the average citizen does not keep up with politics, their interests will be protected by their group. (EX. The NRA protects all gun owners not just their members – many folks are “free riders”. ) 4. Groups must COMPROMISE to achieve goals

Pluralism

Arguments for and against the Pluralist view It is accurate because… • • There is no unified majority in the US that always acts together. • • Gov’t leaders must please groups to gain votes and money to be • reelected. • Groups must compete for gov’t services and favorable laws. It is inaccurate because… Relatively low numbers of people join interest groups. Poor citizens have less opportunity to join interest groups or contribute to them. One can’t assume that group decisions are always in the best interest of the nation.

Marxist Theory (Elite) • Those who control the economic system (bourgeoisie) control the political system and the citizenry or worker (proletariat). • Politicians require massive funding to win elections, and rely on corporations to supply them. Lawmaking is influenced by cash as well.

Marxism (Elitism) It is inaccurate because… • • Free speech is a First Amendment right – giving your hard earned money to a candidate or company is a form of free speech – your money does the talking. Corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals (Citizens United v. FEC 2010). Whether you buy a Big Mac or an i. Mac, you are implying you support the company and their business practices with your purchase. Your money does your talking. In a capitalistic free market society, government should not interfere with the marketplace. It is accurate because… • Inequalities in wealth do not give • • everyone a fair chance to compete in the “marketplace of ideas”. Only those with the most money can have their ideas heard and good ideas are often silenced as a result. Limiting the influence of corporate money in the political process protects the rights of the minority, in this case, those without large sums of cash to donate. “Money, like water, will always find an outlet. ” (Mc. Connell v. FEC 2003) Therefore, government should limit money loopholes. Overturned by “Citizens United”.

A Reminder… • These are only theories. They are people’s perception of our democracy and the way it functions. • Which theory is correct? ? ? – Pluralist – most popular today – Majoritarian – popular pre-1950’s – Elite – increasing (Tea-Party vs. Occupy Wall Street) – Bureaucratic – gov’t spending more than ever before just to run itself – not going away any time soon ex. - Department of Homeland Security was developed after 9/11. ex. - If “Obamacare” comes to full fruition, bureaucracy will get even bigger. CENTRAL QUESTION TO THIS COURSE: HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT DO YOU WANT IN YOUR LIVES?