AP GOPO first test notes

Direct democracy

People decide on policy themselves, determine all laws and policies imposed by the government without any intermediary or representative

Participatory Democracy

People are participating in government and are involved in governmental decisions but not to the same extent as in direct democracy

Liberal democracy

People vote on representatives who then get to choose whath policies to pass and implement

laissez faire economic policy

Economic policy in which the government has a “hands off” approach. Rousseau and Friedman would support this because of their emphasis on liberty and Locke would support it because supports the ideas of limited government. Hobbes would oppose as he thought humans were dishonest.

Egalitarianism

everybody is equal and deserves rights and opportunites

totalitarianism

authoritarian form of government in which the government has absolute control over its citizenry

Elitism

Society is divided amongst class lines. And 1 percent of people that have 30% of the nation’s wealth control most policy decisions as they can finance election campaigns and control key institutions sucha as large corporations. A few powerful individuals do not merely influence policymakers, but are the policymakers themselves

Pluralism

Groups with shared interests (interest groups) influence public policy by pressing their own concerns through organized efforts (ex. NRA, NOW)

hyperpluralism

Many competing interest groups are so strong that the government is

weakened, as the influence of so many groups cripples the government’s ability to make policy.

Instead of a few groups influencing government action, many groups render the government

unable to act. Groups are very powerful, and they force the government to give into their every

whim. When politicians try to placate every group, the result is confusing, contradictory, and

muddled policy, if any policy can be decided on at all. Like elitists, hyperpluralists believe that

public interest is rarely translated into public policy.

Rousseau

Would support direct democracy because it would give citizens control of who is elected

as well as agenda (general will)

● Opposed totalitarianism, general will is not reflected

● Believed that the formation of a civil state in which people contribute to laws (direct/

democracy) provides the most liberty

● Concept of individualism emphasizes importance of common good

● Would support laissez faire economics because a hands-off approach would not run the

risk of infringing on citizens’ liberty

● However, if people tightly control government, they might be able to use heavy

government intervention to make sure that elite do not run the government and oppress

liberty

● Supported egalitarianism

● Supported liberal democracy, which would promote general will

● Goal would be to protect the innocent in criminal justice

Hobbes

Would not support liberty (had totalitarian beliefs), freedom would cause chaos. People

cannot be trusted and are naturally selfish (state of nature) and need the government to

control them.

● Only elite and educated citizens should be ahead in government (no equality, no

populism, no egalitarianism)

● Government should be strong and should not be limited (against laissez-faire policies).

● Would not like liberal democracy or direct democracy, rights should be relinquished to

the government to protect order and natural rights. No one will have natural rights if

chaos reigns. People are unintelligent and dishonest and will destroy the government if

they are given power.

● Totalitarianism is the best system of government to control order and protect natural

rights.

● “Peaceful life under authoritative sovereign”

● Sovereign has power to take goods of its subjects without consent

● Afraid of individualism

Sovereign is always right and cannot be held accountable to its citizens

● Goal would be to punish in criminal justice

Locke

Would support liberty, freedom from superior powers

● Would support individualism and individual interest over the interests of the people

(liberty, ex. One person accruing a lot of wealth)

● Would support laissez faire policies (limited govt)

● Supported limited government

● Would support populism to a degree, but also wanted govt. to get their say

● Believed in egalitarianism (except for non-white people)

● Would not support direct democracy, instead would support liberal democracy (5

principles). Sought political equality).

● Would not support totalitarianism (infringing on liberty)

● Humans are free in state of nature and have natural rights.

● Most concerned about property rights (would disagree with Rousseau about this)

Friedman

Supported liberty, freedom, and wanted a smaller government. People have natural

skills/disadvantages that might not promote equality, but that is how the world works.

● Supported laissez faire economics (small government, hands off). Although he would

support govt. helping poor, he thought that doing so would dismantle individualism and

liberty

● Opposed totalitarianism, as he would want smaller government and promotion of liberty

● MIght not support direct democracy. (although he supported liberty). Problem: poor

outnumber rich, might take control of policy

● Would support businesses first, rather than people

● Boosting equality will hurt freedoms of different groups, having more freedom from govt

involvement will stimulate the economy. Monopoly isn’t great, but is better than govt

involvement in economic affairs

● Wealth divide is a product of liberty (just how the world works)

● Wanted the government to use monetary policy more than fiscal policy.

● Wanted cutting taxes

● Believed in a free market

● American economy should be stimulated and controlled by the people

● Did not exactly support populism; laissez-faire policies should be used

● Believed in equality, but it might have not always been the highest priority (laissez-faire

policies were)

● Totalitarianism will stifle opportunity

● Might not support tariffs, if stuff can be made overseas for cheaper, govt. should not

interfere with that