Bell Ringer: Discuss Journal 7 (5 min)
Objectives:
2.2 Compare and contrast the majoritarian and
pluralist models of democracy.
Agenda (slides 13-25):
1. Current Events (10 min)
MAJORITARIAN DEMOCRACY
2. Elections fulfill the first three principles of procedural democratic theory: universal participation, political equality, majority rule, and responsiveness. How is responsiveness guaranteed in a majoritarian democracy?
3. Referendum, initiative, recall.
*One of the dangers of referenda is the power of the majority to treat a minority in a harsh or intimidating way.
*Critics contend that Americans are not knowledgeable enough for majoritarian democracy to work.
PLURALIST DEMOCRACY (interest groups)
4. In contrast to majoritarian democracy, pluralist democracy seeks to limit majority action so that interest groups can be heard.
5. Journal 8 - What is the connection between responsiveness and interest groups? (10 min)
6. Is the U.S. governed by an Elite group? (Elite Theory) (slide 21)
7. They key difference between elite and pluralist theory lies in the durability of the ruling minority.
8. Journal 9 - What are the criticisms at the heart of elite theory? (rest of class)
Vocabulary Terms to Know: procedural democratic theory, universal participation, political equality, majority rule, participatory democracy, e-government, representative democracy, responsiveness, substantive democratic theory, minority rights, majoritarian model of democracy, interest group (lobby), pluralist model of democracy, elite theory,
Home Learning:
1. The public meetings and universal participation found in Dansbury, New Hampshire, is a good example of which form of government?
a. majoritarian democracy
b. pluralist democracy
c. elitism
d. communism
e. substantive democracy
2. What term do we use to describe governmental power in the hands of a few powerful elite?
a. autocracy
b. democracy
c. dictatorship
d. monarchy
e. oligarchy
3. Athens, the classic Greek city-state, is best described by which of the following terms?
a. representative democracy
b. elitism
c. participatory democracy
d. populism
e. totalitarianism
4. Which of the following is not one of the four principles of procedural theory of democracy?
a. political equality
b. responsiveness
c. protection of minorities
d. universal participation
e. majority rule
5. What term is best used to describe the concept of one vote per person?
a. universal equality
b. universal egalitarianism
c. unicameral legislation
d. political equality
e. political leveling
6. Journal 10 - Explain how the principles of procedural democracy may threaten liberty. (section 2.1)
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