DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

AND



POSC 105

DEMOCRACY, POLITICAL CAPACITY, REFORM

(Continued)



  1. THIS MORNING:
    1. Highlights (low lights?) of the syllabus
    2. Some of the meanings of democracy


  2. THE SYLLABUS:
    1. First, read it carefully. It answers most of your questions.
      1. Copy available at www.udel.edu/htr/Psc105
        1. Note the capital "P" in the last term.
    2. You need to use e-mail and an internet "browser" regularly.
      1. Essential information only available via internet.
      2. Please take part in class polls.
    3. How to and why read New York Times
      1. Elite versus mass press: the Times is an example of a paper read by and used by political "elites."
        1. When, for example, President Clinton wants to send a message to Congress or even someone in his own administration, he (or an aide) might speak to a Times reporter.
    4. The clipping file: 4 to 10 articles per week on national politics
    5. Reading:
      1. The text, Squire and others, Dynamics of American Democracy, 2nd edition supplies background information.
        1. You will be told which parts should be perused and which can be skimmed.
      2. Independent paperback readings are important.


  3. DEMOCRACY-WHAT'S IN A WORD:
    1. Democracy as political freedom
      1. Individual rights and liberties. We'll list some in class.
      2. A negative conception of political rights.
        1. Rights usually involve freedom from government interference rather than a right to have (or an entitlement to) something.
    2. Democracy as economic freedom
      1. Positive versus negative rights: a right to have something
      2. Questions:
        1. Does someone living in poverty have the same effective rights as a wealthy person?
        2. Are valuable are political rights to those who are malnourished, ill?
        3. Consider two countries, both having identical constitutions guaranteeing political rights and freedom. In one 20 percent of the population lives in poverty; in the other no one does. Are they equally democratic, in the sense of democracy as freedom?
      3. Proposition: economic freedom must be part of a definition of democracy.
      4. An example will be discussed in class.
    3. Democracy and enlightened understanding
      1. This term means:


      2. Proposition: democracy must include enlightened understanding.
    4. Proposition: rights are a necessary condition of democracy but by themselves do not constitute it.


  4. DEMOCRACY AS GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE:
    1. What is the source of a government's legitimacy; that is, it's right to command obedience from it's citizen's
      1. Popular sovereignty versus divine right of kings: read and listen to "Popular Sovereignty" on the web site. (Go to the internet reserve room.)
    2. Proposition: an essential element of democracy is citizen participation in the making of public (authoritative) policies.
      1. The word means government by the people
    3. Popular democracy: citizens make binding decisions.


  5. OBSTACLES TO AND POSSIBLE REFORMS OF POPULAR DEMOCRACY:
    1. "Logistical" problems
    2. Is government of and by the masses desirable?


  6. NEXT TIME:
    1. Further considerations of rights and democracy.
    2. Political capacity
    3. Reading:
      1. Squire and others, Dynamics of Democracy, Chapter 1 for general understanding.
      2. You should read "An Argument for Government" by Monday.
      3. Optional: "Popular sovereignty" in the same place. (You need earphones or speakers to get the full effect.)

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