Types of Representative Democracy

Flashcards covering the three primary models of representative democracy and their application in foundational American documents and the U.S. Constitution.

Participatory Democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes broad, active participation by citizens in politics and civil society.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests (such as interest groups) striving to impact political decision-making.

Elite Democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes limited or filtered participation in politics and civil society, placing decision-making power largely in the hands of a small group of educated or wealthy elites.

Federalist $10$

A foundational document that argues for pluralist democracy as a means to limit factions.

Brutus $1$

A foundational document expressing the fear that a powerful central government will result in more elite democracy and limitations to participatory democracy.

U.S. Constitution (Elite Democracy)

Evidence of this model can be found in the inclusion of the Electoral College and the originally indirectly elected U.S. Senate.

Models of Representative Democracy

The three frameworks (participatory, pluralist, and elite) that continue to be reflected in contemporary institutions, political behavior, social movements, and voting.