PS 473: THE NORMATIVE BASES OF PUBLIC OPINION:

DEMOCRATIC THEORIES AND PUBLIC OPINION

(Warning: this is a “bare-bones” outline of class discussions, not a substitute for taking notes)

I. Democratic reform as a 2,500 year-old debate: Historical Examples of Democracy in Ancient Greece and Rome

A. Direct democracy of Greek city-state of Athens.

B. Sparta: members of the Council elected by a method called The Shout:

C. Plato’s The Cave.

D. Which is closest to our democracy? Why?

II. Classical Representative Democratic Theory ( Mill, Locke, Jefferson, Dewey)

A. Background: Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence; John Dewey’s update in 20^th Cent.

B. Values: Popular sovereignty, political equality, liberty, public deliberation.

C. Role of elites: Delegates

D. Role of masses: Politically sophisticated, active

E. View of Human Nature: High potential for self-rule and reason, “enlightenment” through mass education and participation.

F. Consequences for Government: Selection of representatives, delegate representation, responsiveness, potential for electoral mandates.

III. Democratic Elitist/Guardian Democratic Theory (e.g., Plato, Framers, Lippmann)

A. Background: Plato, Framers’ distrust of public, Lippmann’s Public Opinion and experiences in 20^th Century)

B. Values: Minimal choice in elections, stability, elite deliberation.

C. Role of Elites: Guardians, trustee representation

D. Role of Masses: Politically unsophisticated, passive

E. View of Human Nature: Masses inherently unsophisticated, inattentive, anti-democratic/authoritarian, and human nature is immutable, fixed.

F. Consequences for Government: Trustee representation, competition of elites in elections, barriers to limit public opinion.

IV. Topics for Further Discussion

A. The democratic dialogue, the democratic dilemma and the USA Patriot Act

B. Pros and cons of deliberative democracy (see HTM, chs 7-8)

C. Lippmann versus Dewey

D. Lindsey Rogers versus George Gallup

E. Pros and cons of elite guardianship