The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a time of further development for democracy.
During the age of reason philosohpers would study human behavior within society.
One famous philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, believed that if man was left in a natural state, he would be in constant conflict and therefore required govenment for peace and security.
Another famous philosopher, John Locke studied and wrote about government. He rejected the idea of the "divine right" of kings. Instead, he believed that people were all naturally free and that the government should act for their well-being. He also believed that the people had a right to rebel if the government tried to take away from their rights of freedom.
This had a strong influence in America.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Lesson 4: English Documents and Democracy
The beginnings of democracy started mainly in England when the barons under King John created the Magna Carta and had it signed, which gave the people more rights and limited the king's power.
Four hundred years after the Magna Carta was signed, English Parliament was gaining more power over the kings and enforced the Petition of Rights, which kept the kings from arresting people without a fair trial, or forcing people to house soldiers.
Later, Parliament created the English Bill of Rights which further restricted the power of kings.
In modern England there is still a monarch but the government is parliamentary, operating as a democracy from these three documents.
Four hundred years after the Magna Carta was signed, English Parliament was gaining more power over the kings and enforced the Petition of Rights, which kept the kings from arresting people without a fair trial, or forcing people to house soldiers.
Later, Parliament created the English Bill of Rights which further restricted the power of kings.
In modern England there is still a monarch but the government is parliamentary, operating as a democracy from these three documents.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Lesson 3: The Policy-Making Cycle
Their are some steps to be taken before a government policy can be made into a law. This is called the policy-making cycle.
First, certain people must let the public know of the issue. Especially when it will affect them directly.
The second step is when "linkage institutions" become aware of the issue that the people are concerned about. Linkage institutions can be the media and political or special interest groups.
They take the opinions of the people and connect them to the government.
In the third step, Congress and other policy-making institutions decide which issues are the most important and which should be dealt with first. Then they make a policy that addresses the situation.
Lastly, the people decides whether or not they like the policy and express their opinion about it.
If they don't like it, the whole cycle could start over again.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Lesson 2: Theories of Democracy
There have been four different theories of democracies formed over time.
The Traditional Theory, which allows all people to participate in government directly, or through representatives.
The Pluralist Theory has people with the same ideas form groups with a common cause to work in politics.
The Elite Theory is that a handful of citizens and industries hold the political power.
The elite citizens are favored over everyone else.
Lastly, Hyperpluralism is a mix of the Pluralist and Elite theories.
It says that groups are formed by people with common interests and that some of the groups wield too much power. In the end, this theory leads to a standstill in overall government, where there are too many groups attempting to take the power with no compromise.
The similarity between all of these theories is that the people still have influence in the government, whether in groups or as individuals.
The Traditional Theory, which allows all people to participate in government directly, or through representatives.
The Pluralist Theory has people with the same ideas form groups with a common cause to work in politics.
The Elite Theory is that a handful of citizens and industries hold the political power.
The elite citizens are favored over everyone else.
Lastly, Hyperpluralism is a mix of the Pluralist and Elite theories.
It says that groups are formed by people with common interests and that some of the groups wield too much power. In the end, this theory leads to a standstill in overall government, where there are too many groups attempting to take the power with no compromise.
The similarity between all of these theories is that the people still have influence in the government, whether in groups or as individuals.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
American Government Lesson 1: The Nature of Governments
Governments are put in place to create and enforce law, protect the people with armies and police forces, regulate economy for growth. Also, the government is there to provide for its citizens by providing public education, jobs, medical treatment.
Sometimes governments require a place to operate from, which is called a nation state.
Nation states have four characteristics which are: territory, population, sovereignty, and legitimate government.
Territories can be large or small, as can population according to the size of the territory. Countries with a diverse populace usually have more trouble compromising.
A nation state needs to be able to rule its people without interference, and to be legitimate, a governments population must recognize its authority and obey it.
Sometimes governments require a place to operate from, which is called a nation state.
Nation states have four characteristics which are: territory, population, sovereignty, and legitimate government.
Territories can be large or small, as can population according to the size of the territory. Countries with a diverse populace usually have more trouble compromising.
A nation state needs to be able to rule its people without interference, and to be legitimate, a governments population must recognize its authority and obey it.
Monday, August 19, 2013
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