1.2 Main Things

Question 1

Why did the framers chose to establish a republic instead of a direct democracy at the federal level?

Answer 1

They didn’t trust the people to make good decisions
They thought the people weren’t educated enough
They feared mob rule
It isn’t practical for everybody to vote on every policy/too time consuming
The U.S. is too large physically for direct democracy, especially in 1787

Question 2

Participatory Democracy Weakness

Answer 2

May result in violation of minority rights

Question 3

Pluralist democracy (interest groups, political parties) Weakness

Answer 3

A particularly strong group may have disproportionate influence

Question 4

Elite Democracy (ex. Electoral College, Congressional law-making) weakness

Answer 4

Government may be dominated by the wealthy, and those with high status in business, military, and politics

Question 5

Why does the Electoral College select president?

Answer 5

the framers didn’t trust the people to directly elect the president, Established a republic instead of democracy

Question 6

Example of Participatory democracy in gov

Answer 6

Direct elections for House of Representatives

Question 7

Why can Pluralist exist?

Answer 7

Freedom of assembly allows for creation of interest groups & political parties