2 Dimensions of Democracy

1
Criteria for Democracy The Big Three In a
democracy, citizens must be able to Formulate
their preferences decide what they
think Signify their preferences tell others
what they think Have their preferences weighted
equally everyone is equal
2
Formulate Preferences

• freedom to form and join associations
• freedom of expression
• alternative sources of information (free press)

3
Signify Preferences

• right to vote
• freedom of expression
• freedom of association

4
Preferences Weighted Equally

• free and fair elections

5
2 Dimensions of Democracy
Post-Revolutionary USA
Contestation
Totalitarian regimes (e.g. pre-war Iraq, USSR)
Participation
6
As the vote on authorizing the war in Iraq
approached, Representative Dick Grayson was
unsure how to vote. As a Democrat representing a
blue-collar Midwestern district, Grayson was
torn. He decided to poll his constituents in
order to find out the position that they
preferred. He also held a number of town
meetings across his district, to solicit his
constituents input, and carefully read all the
mail he received about the war
Listening to the voice of the people? Pandering
to the public?
7
As the vote authorizing the war in Iraq
approached, Representative Hal Jordan knew
exactly how he should vote. Even though his
party, the Republicans, supported the war, and
most of his Southern constituents were also in
favor of it, his own personal beliefs led him to
oppose the war. He commissioned no polls of his
own, and was unmoved when showed a poll done by
the local newspaper indicating widespread support
for the war among his constituents.
A profile in courage? Out of touch with his
constituents?
8
Americans Have Grown Increasingly Skeptical of
the National Government