PS 473: THE NORMATIVE BASES OF 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
A. Direct democracy of Greek city-state of
B.
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 21st
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
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 20th 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 nature is immutable.
F. Consequences for Government: trustee
representation, competition of elites in elections, barriers to limit public
opinion.
IV. Topics
for Further Discussion
A. Pros and cons of electronic or internet
democracy
B. Pros and cons of deliberative
democracy (see HTM, chs 7-8)
C. Pros and cons of elite guardianship