PSCI 1050 Carey Outline of Last Lecture I Introduction to PSCI 1050 Outline of Current Lecture I Purpose of Government II Forms of Government III Direct vs Representative Democracy IV Constitutional vs Non Constitutional Democracy V Presidential vs Parliamentary Democracy VI Principles of American Democracy Current Lecture I Purpose of Government A Government prevents chaos for citizens on federal state and local levels 1 Legitimacy acceptance of authority B Public goods non exclusive good usually provided by government 1 The private sector has no incentive to provide public goods C Government protects from foreign aggression provides services regulates the economy protects from illegal activity 1 Libertarianism belief that government should have a more limited role often coincides with belief in capitalism and free markets II Forms of Government A Monarchy birthright gives power to a single ruler B Autocracy one ruler with power due to party education etc not birthright 1 Examples dictatorship authoritarian regimes C Aristocracy power to a few based on birthright D Oligarchy power to a few due to education etc not birthright 1 Example power held by whites in South Africa during Apartheid E Democracy power shared amongst citizens through free open elections 1 US is a constitutional republic based on democratic values III Direct vs Representative Democracy A Direct citizens themselves vote on policies 1 Pros representative of public opinion increases citizen awareness 2 Cons not everybody shows up people don t have time to constantly vote impractical to require citizen awareness of policies B Representative citizens elect politicians to vote on policies 1 Pros practical 2 Cons potential for corruption less representative of public C Larger scale favors representative democracy smaller favors direct democracy IV Constitutional vs Non Constitutional Democracy A Constitutional democracy defines government with one formal document B Non Constitutional democracy does not define government with one formal document V Presidential vs Parliamentary Democracy A Presidential system head of government elected on a fixed term B Parliamentary system head of government selected by majority party in legislature PSCI 1050 Carey 1 When a majority party lacks in parliament different groups join to make a majority VI Principles of American Democracy A Political Equality one person one vote B Plurality rule rule by largest group not necessarily an overall majority C Minority Rights minority not trampled by majority D Equality before the law
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