Models of Democracy: Participatory, Pluralist, & Elite Theory

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Wear your Navy and Gold (or other Eagle Spirit wear) tomorrow!

Learning Objective:
LOR-1.B: Explain how models of representative democracy are visible in major institutions, policies, events, or debates in the U.S

Essential Knowledge:
LOR-1.B.1: Representative democracies can take several forms along this scale:

1. Participatory democracy, which emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society
2. Pluralist democracy, which recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making
3. Elite democracy, which emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

LOR-1.B.3: The three models of representative democracy continue to be reflected in contemporary institutions and political behavior

Models of Democracy
Who governs? Who really makes the policy decisions? Whose views do they represent? There are three competing theories that try to answer the question of who governs.

• Participatory
• Pluralism
• Elite Theory

Who Governs?

1. How does pluralism answer the question who governs?
2. According to pluralists, why does participatory democracy not adequately answer the question of who governs?
3. According to pluralists, is power a fixed entity? What is power based upon?
4. Pluralists believe that the power of one group is counterbalanced by the power of another group. What are some real examples of this?
5a. How do democratic norms (freedom of association, regular elections, majority rule, freedom of speech, etc) contribute to pluralism?
5b. Explain how federalism and separation of powers help facilitate pluralist democracy.

6. How does elite theory answer the question who governs? Who makes up the power elite according to C. Wright Mills?
7. Is the power elite a secret society? How is membership obtained?

8.  “What’s good for GM (General Motors) is good for America.” Explain this statement and how it relates to elite theory.
9. How does post-WWII America contribute to the theory of the power elite, specifically the role of the military?
10. What are the roles/characteristics of the middle-level managers (most of Congress) and the public in elite theory?

11. What are “trunk decisions” and how does this support elite theory?

12. What is participatory democracy? How does it work?

13.  Which theory do you think best answers the question of who governs?

14. Find one recent policy decision that represents pluralism. What groups were involved in the debate?

15. Find one recent policy decision that represents elite theory. Explain how this is elite theory at work.

Is this characteristic/statement true of Participatory, Pluralism, or Elite Theory?

1. Requires specialized knowledge from groups of citizens

2. Derives power from the continuing success of America’s largest corporations

3. Based on rule of the majority

4. Citizens need some working knowledge of government

5. Favors a tax code with loopholes that favor the upper bracket

6. This allows minorities to control the government

7. Rotary Club, National Rifle Association, Chamber of Commerce

8. Has vast wealth and business connections

9. Prefers a decentralized government allowing easy access to government officials

10.  Elections are the main mechanism in making decisions

Applying the Models of Democracy: make a copy of this document and as a group, work together to assess what model of democracy each political cartoon represents.

Readings:
The Wall Street Bailout Plan Explained

Auto Bailout Could Top $130 Billion

Senate Rejects Background Checks on Guns

Voter Support of Marijuana Reaches New High

Types of Government Pt. II

Standard: MO SS 2 1.9 Compare and contrast governmental systems, current and historical, including those that are democratic, totalitarian, monarchic, and theocratic, and describe their impact.
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Readings due Thursday:
Pluralism
Pluralism and Democracy
Elite Theory

Identification Terms:
Essential APGOV Terms to Understand (quiz this Thursday)

Unit 1 Identification Terms (Origins)
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The most common form of classifying types of government is based on the number of rulers. However, there are other methods of classifying government systems. One method is based on where power is mainly located, national or state. Another looks at the relationship between the legislative and executive branch.

Governments classified on where power is located, state vs. national:

• unitary
• confederal
• federal

Governments classified based on the relationship between the legislative and executive branch:

• presidential
• parliamentary

Check for understanding:
1) What three terms would you use to best describe the US type of government?
2) Look at the cards for Denmark and Brazil again (from yesterday's post). What other type of government could you now add for each?

For Review:

Systems of Government


What is the difference between presidential and parliamentary systems?

Types of Government (Part 1)

Standard: MO SS 2 1.9 Compare and contrast governmental systems, current and historical, including those that are democratic, totalitarian, monarchic, and theocratic, and describe their impact.
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Homework: Read 1-12 in Edwards 

Readings due Thursday:
Pluralism
Pluralism and Democracy
Elite Theory

Identification Terms:
Essential APGOV Terms to Understand (quiz this Thursday)

Unit 1 Identification Terms (Origins)
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Today we are looking at various forms of government found throughout the world. First, discuss this question with your group:

It does not matter what type of government is in place as long as the citizens are well-fed, healthy and safe. Agree or disagree?

There are many ways to classify government systems, but the most common method was developed by Aristotle that is based on the number of rulers. However, you can also classify governments based on where power is located (national vs. state) or based on the relationship between the legislative and executive branches. The types of government that we are going to look at are:

• Anarchy
• Absolute Monarchy
• Autocracy
• Confederal
• Constitutional Monarchy
• Dictatorship
• Direct Democracy
• Federal
• Oligarchy
• Parliamentary
• Presidential
• Republic (Representative Democracy)
• Theocracy
• Unitary

First, read about some of the different types of government. Define/explain the bolded terms above in your notes as you read.


Next, in your notes, complete the two assessments below on the various forms of government. 

Assessment #1

Assessment #2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each government system?

For Review:

Purposes of Government

Announcements: Juniors interested in taking the PSAT need to register by September 7th. Cost is $25 if registered by 8/31 and $30 if registered by September 7th. More information can be found HERE.

Standard: MO SS2 1.6, 1.9 Describe the structure of government and the purposes of laws (with emphasis on state and federal governments) in general

Homework:
Readings due Thursday:
Pluralism
Pluralism and Democracy
Elite Theory

Identification Terms:
Essential APGOV Terms to Understand (quiz this Thursday)

Unit 1 Identification Terms (Origins)

What is the purpose or function of government? Today we are going to look at several purposes of government as outlined in the preamble to the Constitution.






Wrap Up: Which purpose of government is most important? Please fill out before you leave.

Here's a video that shares people's thoughts on the purpose of government:

The Pyramid of Government

Assembly Schedule Today:

As we begin the year, it is important for students to have a basic understanding of the structure of our government system. Today, we will look at some basic concepts and terms that help explain how the US government system works.

Also, here is a list of essential government terms. You should make a Quizlet set of these terms to review and study. You must take this quiz until you score 100%. Our in-class attempt will be Thursday, August 29. Any other attempts must be completed before or after school or during 4th study session.

Several have asked for a copy of the APGOV by the numbers, so I have included it below.

This presentation provides an overview of how our government operates and some of the topics we will be covering this year.

Housecleaning Day

Now that we have made it through a week of school, it is time to start taking care of some tasks so that we can begin delving into the study of government and politics.

Yesterday we realized that because of human nature we need government to implement rules and laws to maintain order. Similarly, our own classroom needs rules and expectations to make for an orderly and efficient class. As a result, here is the  course syllabus.

Finally, we are going to go over some digital resources that we will be using throughout the year. Make sure to bookmark our class page gatesapgov.blogspot.com and follow me on Twitter @gatesapgov (or sign up for text messages). We will get you signed up for a multitude of resources including AP Classroom, Canvas, Khan Academy, the textbook, and other useful sites.

SB 638: Missouri Civics Education Initiative

In 2016, the Missouri General Assembly passed and the governor signed SB 638, the Missouri Civics Education Initiative. This legislation requires any student entering 9th grade after July 1, 2017 to take and pass a 100 question test similar to the one administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for naturalization (citizenship). This test must be passed in order to graduate.

The test will be Wednesday, August 21st. It will be 100 multiple-choice questions. You must score a minimum of 60% on the test. It will be strictly pass/fail and will not count as a grade.

The following resources will help you prepare for the Citizenship Test.

100 Questions and Answers for the Naturalization Test

Flashcards for the Naturalization Test

Civics Practice Test

Quizlet Set of Citizenship Terms/Questions

Citizenship Study Guide Quiz

And finally, a YouTube video that goes over all 100 questions and answers: