Defining Democracy & Its Values
I. Democracy as a System of Interacting Values
A. Popular Consent
1. A just
govt. derives its powers from the people
2. willingness
to participate in decision-making
3. willingness
to lose to the majority
B. Respect for the Individual
1. every individual
has rights, purpose, potential
2. opposite
of statism
C. Equality of Opportunity
* What kind
of equality?
D. Personal Liberty
1. opportunity
to realize their goals / self-determination
2. key to
social progress
E. Democratic Values in Conflict
1. individualism
v. collective welfare
2. self determination
v. equal opportunity
3. liberty
v. equality
II. Democracy as a System of Interrelated Political Processes
A. Free and Fair Elections
1. frequent
intervals
2. all citizens
have equal voting powers
3. opposition
parties
B. Majority (Plurality) Rule
1. those with
the most votes assume power
2. Should
the will of the majority always prevail?
3. Constitution
reflects fear of majority power
C. Freedom of Expression
1. competing
ideas, views
2. depends
on candidates' access, capital
D. Right to Assemble & Protest
** This information your are responsible for on your own. We
did not cover this IN class. **
The Constitutional Convention (background): Summer, 1787
I. "Movers & Shakers"
A. Washington, Hamilton, Madison,
Franklin, G. Morris
B. lawyers, politicians, businessmen
C. Paine, Jefferson, Lee, J. Adams,
S. Adams, J. Hancock were NOT present
II. Consensus
A. republican
government
B. balanced
government, protection of property
C. states
would determine voting qualifications
D. strong
bicameral Congress, "energetic" executive, independent judiciary
III. Conflict & Compromise
A. Virginia
Plan v. New Jersey Plan
B. Connecticut
(Great) Compromise
C. Three-fifths
Compromise:
1. each slave counts a 3/5 of person for purpose of apportionment
2. "balance" of power between North & South
D. Other Issues
1. Courts: would one "Supreme Court" be enough?
2. President: how would he be elected?
a. By Congress?
b. By the people?
c. Electoral College
To Adopt Or Not Adopt?
I. Ratification
A. 9 of 13 states needed
B. unanimous approval unlikely
II. Federalists (pro-ratification) v. Antifederalists
A. Geographical split:
1. seaboard
& city regions: Federalists
2. backcountry
regions: Antifederalists
B. Federalist essays (Hamilton, Jay,
Madison) urged ratification, especially
in New York
C. Antifederalists objected to lack
of a bill of rights
III. The Politics of Ratification
A. Federalists were efficient, organized
B. Most newspapers were controlled
by Federalists
C. Federalists promised to add a bill
of rights upon ratificaiton; Narrow ratification in Massachusetts
D. Officially ratified June 21, 1788
(NH)
E. Virginia & New York ratified
4 & 5 days later
(NC: Nov.
1789; RI: May 1790)