Types of Democracy
Anna Garcia
7 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP US Government study guide covers foundations of American democracy, including participatory, pluralist, and elite models. It explores direct vs. representative, parliamentary vs. presidential, and federal democracies. Key required documents like Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1 are analyzed, along with key vocabulary terms. Finally, the guide offers exam tips, practice questions, and high-priority topics like federalism and models of democracy.
#AP US Government: Your Ultimate Review Guide 🚀
Hey there, future AP Gov rockstar! This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for acing the exam. We'll break down the key concepts, connect the dots, and make sure you're feeling confident and ready. Let's get started!
#🏛️ Foundations of American Democracy
#Core Principles
The U.S. Constitution was designed to create a balanced government, protecting individual liberties and preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful. The framers were all about limiting government power to avoid the abuses they saw under the British monarchy. Here's a quick look at the different models of democracy:
- Participatory Democracy: Emphasizes broad participation of citizens in political decisions. Think town hall meetings and direct voting.
- Pluralist Democracy: Recognizes diverse interest groups that compete for influence. Power is distributed, not concentrated.
- Elite Democracy: A small group of wealthy or influential people hold most of the power.
These models aren't mutually exclusive; the U.S. system incorporates elements of all three. The key is understanding how they interact and influence policy.
#❓ Key Questions (Quick Review)
- Participatory Democracy: What's its main characteristic? Direct citizen involvement.
- Pluralist Democracy: How does it view society? As a collection of competing groups.
- Elite Democracy: Who holds the power? A small, influential group.
- Interest Group Example: Can you name one? The NRA, Sierra Club, or any other group advocating for a specific cause.
- Media's Role: What does it do in a pluralist democracy? Informs the public and acts as a watchdog.
- Judiciary's Role: What's its purpose? Interprets laws and ensures they are constitutional.
#⚖️ Types of Democracy: A Closer Look
#Direct vs. Representative Democracy
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Direct Democracy: Citizens vote directly on laws and policies. Think of ancient Athens or modern-day Switzerland.
- Example: Switzerland's frequent referendums.
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Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to...
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