Types of Democracy

Which of the following aspects of the U.S. Constitution best illustrates the concept of elite democracy?

A. The original wording of the Constitution regarding the selection of U.S. senators

Example of pluralist democracy

Participation of interest groups such as National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Organization for Women (NOW).

In a participatory democracy...

Citizens can influence policy decisions, but do NOT make them

How are interest groups an example of pluralist democracy?

Citizens can join groups to influence policy-makers, rather than having direct access to political decisions.

Example of participatory democracy

Local and state forms of government, where citizens have multiple access points to influence policymakers. (such as Town Hall meetings)

Two ways local and state governments allow for citizens to influence policy decisions

Initiatives & Referendums

Initiative

A process that allows citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed laws on the ballot.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

An informal group advocating for a $15 minimum wage collects 590,000 signatures from registered voters in their state. In the next election, this initiative appears on the ballot for voters to decide whether it becomes a state constitutional amendment. This is an example of which of the following models of democracy?

D. Participatory democracy

Example of elite democracy

Electoral College which is used in presidential elections and determines the outcome of most elections.

Participatory democracy

Emphasizes broad, direct participation in politics and civil society, in which most or all citizens participate in politics directly.

Pluralist democracy

Political power rests with competing interest groups so that no one group dominates political decisions.

What is the Electoral College intended to do?

Provide a check on voters and act as a safeguard in case the voters make an unwise decision for who becomes president.

Social Contract

The agreement between people and the government defining the rights and duties of each

Republicanism

The system by which the interests of the people are represented by elected leaders

Elite democracy

a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making