NORTHERN
ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Democracy in America
POLS 150, Section 3
Spring 2006
Course Meeting Place: MC 309
Course Meeting Time: T/TH 3:30-4:45
Instructor: Chris Thuot
Office TBA
Office hours: Tuesday 1-2, Thursday 5-6 and by appointment
Email: cthuot@niu.edu
POLS 150 Democracy in America studies American political and social institutions primarily through the political thought, writings and speeches of three categories of people: 1) the nation’s founders and the framers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution whose work structures the political controversies reappearing throughout subsequent generations; 2) office holders who bore responsibility for dealing with these controversies and who both changed and preserved constitutional institutions and democratic thought and practice; and 3) the influential non-office holders whose thought helped shape public opinion, social change and law and whose thought provided insight into both the goodness and badness of American democracy. Among the latter, Tocqueville’s commentary, still (160 years after its publication) commonly regarded as the best ever written, gives this course its name and spirit.
Emphasis is placed on the Constitution because, as the central legitimating symbol of American political life, citizens need to understand how it frames political controversy and how it influences political and social change. To that end, we will study important debates concerning both democratic institutions and the meaning of liberty and equality from the Founding until now. Such debates include whether we needed a national government and how the framers thought it could be kept from being oppressive; disputes about what political/economic conditions make American democracy possible; successive waves of controversies about whether the suffrage (voting rights) should be expanded; about whether the Founders’ Constitution was democratic; about whether it was a slave or a free Constitution; about whether it recognized the humanity of the Negro, as African-Americans were then called; about whether the national government should regulate the economy and provide welfare; disputes about what democratic representation is; whether separation of powers prevents democracy or makes it possible; whether religion is an indispensable political institution or a persistent political problem; what makes one a citizen; what law-abidingness means and whether it is or is not a duty; and the relation of women to democratic government and society.
The persistent and over-arching theme of the class will be the disputed question “what is democracy”? In keeping with its disputed nature, we will study a range of opposing answers. Considerable attention will be given to the perennial dispute about whether democracy, in the most humanly relevant and ennobling sense, is possible primarily through local institutions (as maintained in the American political tradition by the anti-Federalists and Tocqueville); or whether it is possible primarily through national institutions (as maintained generally by the Progressives, the New Deal, and the Great Society). This dispute turns on whether democracy is understood to involve primarily “self government” in that oneself and one’s neighbors are primarily responsible for solving the day to day problems of living together (as the Jeffersonian tradition down to the Republican contract with America maintains); or whether democracy is understood to involve (or be) a greater degree of national-level government to regulate the nation’s economy in order to promote “economic democracy” and secure rights (as the Hamiltonian tradition down to modern “civil liberties” and “civil rights” maintains).
Both this over-arching theme and the nature of the readings present a distinctive approach to American democracy and government. The approach is historical, cultural, and philosophic, particularly emphasizing the mutual interdependence of governmental and social institutions. It is further distinguished by its purpose which (unlike POLS 100) is not specifically to introduce students to the sub-field of American politics, or even to the political science major/minor (although it does that). It is aimed at all students whether or not they enter the course intending further study of political science. Its aim is deepening citizens’ understanding and awareness of persistent issues, arguments, and themes of American democracy’s development.
Required Texts and Readings
1. A POLS 150 Reading Packet. (Although both bookstores have these packets, Village Commons Bookstore has more of them.)
2. Alexis de Tocqueville. Democracy in America. NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1969 (originally published 1833).
3. Peter Lawler and Robert Schaefer, eds. American Political Rhetoric Fifth Edition. Rowman & Littlefield, 2004.
* As we will be reading and referring to particular passages in these texts, it is essential that each student brings a copy of these editions to every class.
Attendance
Attendance at each class meeting is both expected and required. Attendance is defined as “being present when attendance is taken at the beginning of each class and remaining until class is dismissed.” Please do not come late to class, as this is both discourteous and disruptive. Students who come to class after attendance has been taken will be considered absent. If there are special circumstances regarding this matter, please discuss them with the instructor as early as possible. Students with extended absences due to illness should notify the instructor as promptly as possible during the absence and produce appropriate documentation indicating the nature and duration of the illness. This note should be provided to the instructor at the first class upon returning. Extended absences are highly discouraged, as they will adversely affect the student’s grade. The student’s final grade will be reduced half a letter grade for each absence over 5.
There will be periodic quizzes given throughout the semester. The quizzes will consist of 4 short answer questions to be completed at the beginning of class. Each quiz will cover the class lectures and assigned readings from the preceding week as well as readings assigned for the day of the quiz. Make-up quizzes will be given only with adequate documentation that the absence was unavoidable. The make-up quizzes will be significantly more difficult than the original. It is in the student’s best interest to avoid make-up quizzes if at all possible.
Paper
There will be 1 short
essay (900-1000 words) assigned on the date specified in the class schedule
below. The essay will be handed in at the beginning of class, two weeks
after the assignment is made, on the due date given in the schedule
below. Essays will be accepted up to three (weekend days included) days
after the due date; however, these essays will be docked one letter grade for
each day they are late. The 1000-word limit will be taken seriously.
Please provide a word count on the first page of your essays. Any
paper exceeding the 1000-word limit will be docked one letter grade. Any evidence of plagiarism will be treated in
accordance with university and departmental policies and procedures.
Exams
There will be 2
examinations in this course—a midterm examination and a comprehensive final
examination to be given on the date assigned by the university. Please see the
class schedule below. Students will be expected to bring bluebooks to
both exams. Make-up examinations will be given only with adequate documentation
that the absence was unavoidable. The make-up exams will be significantly
more difficult than the original. It is in the student’s best interest to
avoid make-up exams if at all possible.
Grading
Final course grades are based upon the required written assignments, quizzes, and exams, as well as the regularity and quality of class participation, less any penalties due to extended unexcused absences. The instructor will not give a formal grade for class participation, although he reserves the right to raise a student’s grade if he judges that student’s participation to have been exceptionally good. Grades will not be lowered merely for lack of active class participation.
Quizzes-15%
Paper-20%
Midterm-25%
Final-40%
Appointments
The instructor will make
every reasonable effort to be available to you. If you cannot come during
his scheduled office hours, please e-mail him to schedule a mutually convenient
appointment. His office number, phone number, and e-mail address are at the
beginning of the syllabus. If you call during his office hours and are
unable to reach him, first try to call again after a few minutes. If he
is still unavailable, please e-mail him and he will get back to you promptly.
Statement Concerning Students with Disabilities
Under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those students with
disabilities that may have some impact on their coursework and for which they may
require accommodations should notify the Center for Access-Ability Resources
(CAAR) on the fourth floor of the Health Services Building. CAAR will assist
students in making appropriate accommodations with course instructors. It is
important that CAAR and instructors be informed of any disability-related needs
during the first two weeks of the semester.
Department of Political Science Web Site
Undergraduates are
strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on
a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist
students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and
syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking
department events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate
programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
Some Suggestions:
1. Class Preparation--The best way to prepare for
each class is to do the readings at least once (some require more than one
reading) prior to the first day we begin each unit. You will be much
better able to participate in discussion and to grasp the class discussions if
you have done so.
2. Good Note Taking--Good note taking is important to your success in this class. Learn to listen carefully to the arguments made and write them down as best you can. Review your notes after class to see if they make sense. By reviewing them soon after they are taken, sometimes you can remember things that will make sense out of what is confusing. Get together with other students periodically to go over one another’s notes. If you got 50% of the lecture and your study partners got 50%, perhaps between you, you will have 75%. What remains unclear can be discussed with the instructor. Be sure to write down the questions asked by the instructor and those asked by other students. If you write down their questions, as well as their answers, you will benefit.
Course Schedule:
* The following schedule is meant to serve as a broad outline of the course. The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to the schedule if necessary.
1/17
Introduction: What is liberal education and how does the study of Democracy in America foster it?
Horace Mann, "Go Forth and Teach," July 4, 1842, in Reading Packet (RP) p. 173-174.
Martin Luther King, "The Purpose of Education," 1948, in RP, pp. 175-176.
1/19
I. What is American democracy? (How American ideas of democracy have both changed and stayed the same over time.)
A. Democracy in America before the Constitution. Tocqueville, Democracy in America
(1833) (hereafter DA), pp. 31-49.
B. The Declaration of Independence, Lawler pp. 1-4.
C. At the Founding: How the Founders distinguished between two kinds of “popular governments”: "democracy" and "republic." The problem of “faction” in
“popular governments” and the Founders’ solution. Federalist Papers (1787-88) #10 in Lawler, pp. 15-21; #39, in Lawler, pp. 45-49. #14 in RP, p. 161. #63 in RP, p. 60-61.
1/24
D.
Jeffersonian Democracy. Thomas Jefferson, Agriculture
vs. manufacturing as ways of social life (1782), RP, pp. 161-162. First
and Second Inaugural
Addresses (1801, 1805) in RP, pp. 3-11. “On Citizenship" in RP, pp. 33-35.
E. Tocquevillian Democracy
1. Equality of conditions. DA "Author's Introduction" pp. 9-12.
2. Majority Rule. DA, "The Principle of the Sovereignty of the People in America" pp.
58-60.
1/26
Majority Rule continued.
DA "The Omnipotence of the Majority in the United States and its Effects" pp. 173, 246-48, 250-53, 254-56, 262 63.
3. Liberty. DA, pp. 45-47.
4. Rights. DA, “The Idea of Rights in the United States" p. 237-40.
F. Slavery and Democracy
1. Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia (1784), Lawler, pp. 247-48.
2. William Lloyd Garrison, (1843) in RP p.11.
1/31-2/2
3. Frederick Douglass, speech at Rochester New York July 5, 1852, "The Meaning of
July Fourth for the Negro" in RP pp. 12-24.
4. Abraham Lincoln, "Address Delivered at the Dedication of the Cemetery at
Gettysburg," (1863), Lawler, 186.
G. Economic Democracy: The Progressives, the New Deal, and the Great Society
1. Theodore Roosevelt, "Two Noteworthy Books on Democracy," (1914) in RP, pp.25-
27.
2/7-2/9
1. Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Commonwealth Club Campaign Speech," (1932), Lawler pp.
188-196.
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Message on the State of the Union ("The Economic Bill of
Rights") (1944) in RP pp. 28-29.
3. Lyndon Johnson, "The Great Society" (1964) in Lawler pp. 206-208.
H. Civil Liberties Democracy
West Virginia v. Barnette (1943) in RP pp. 30.
I. Civil Rights Democracy
Martin Luther King, "I Have a Dream" speech (1963) in RP pp. 30-33.
2/14 ESSAY ASSIGNED
II. What political institutions enable American democracy to exist?
A. Voting: If “everyone” must have a right to vote in order to be a democracy, when did
America become a democracy?
1. Who did the original Constitution provide could vote? and for what offices? The Constitution, For Congress: Art. I, Sec. 2, Cl. and Sec. 3, Cl. 1 in Lawler pp. 405. For President: Art. II, Sec. 1, Cl. 2, Lawler p. 411; The Supreme Court? Art. 3, Sec. 2, Lawler p. 412-13.
2. What are voting and elections for? How important did the Founders think the right to
vote is? Federalist Paper #52, in RP p. 38-39.
3. Who should have a right to vote? Federalist Papers #39 in Lawler pp. 45-46
2/16
4. What is "universal suffrage"?
a) "Chancellor Kent on Universal Suffrage", speech to the New York
Constitutional Convention of 1821, in RP pp. 39-43
b) DA, "Universal Suffrage" pp. 58-60 [esp. 59 bottom to 60 top], 196, 240.
5. Voting and Equality (of social conditions) and voting. DA, pp. 50-57, 503-06.
2/21
a) Extending the right to vote to women.
1) The argument from rights: “The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions," July 19, 1848, in RP pp. 44-47.
2) The argument from practical considerations: Jane Addams, "Why Women
Should Vote," (1910), in RP pp. 47-49.
3) Is voting a right of democratic citizenship? Minor vs. Happersett (1875), in
RP pp. 49-52.
4) U.S. Constitution Amendments XIV, Section 1 (1864) and XIX (1920) in
Lawler, p. 419, 421.
2/23
b) Extending the right to vote to blacks.
1) United States Constitution, 15th Amendment (1870) in Lawler p. 420.
2) Lyndon Johnson, “Address on Voting Rights” (1965), in RP pp. 52-58.
c) Extending the right to vote to 18 year olds.United States Constitution, 26th
Amendment (1971), Lawler, p. 425.
6. Are any principled limits on the right to vote consistent with democracy,
in terms either of rights or of practice?
a) DA, pp. 197-203.
b) “The Motor-voter Act” (1994) Carol Moseley-Braun in RP pp.59-60.
2/28 ESSAY DUE
7. Who/what should voters have a right to vote for (directly)?
a) The Constitution's answer: they should be able to vote for their
representatives, but not directly for laws. and RP pp. 60-61.
1) Why was the Senate originally selected by state legislatures and why was
that changed by the 17th Amendment? Federalist Papers #63, Lawler pp.84-86.
2) Why is the President elected through the "Electoral College" rather than through "direct popular election?" U.S. Constitution, Article
II, Section 1, Clauses 2-4 and Amendment XII in Lawler p. 411-412, 418-19.
3) Why is the Supreme Court appointed rather than elected? Federalist Papers
#78, Lawler, pp. 120-1, 124-5.
b) The Progressives: voters should be able to legislate directly (initiative &
referendum) because representation has failed.
1) Theodore Roosevelt, “The Heirs of Abraham Lincoln” (1913) in RP pp 154-
160
2) Theodore Roosevelt, “The Recall of Judicial Decisions” (1912) in RP pp.61-
68.
Important Terms: fixed terms of office, recall, initiative, referendum, "terms limits"
3/2-3/7
c) Constitutionally, who elects which federal offices? The Constitution, Art. I, Sec.
2, Cl. 2 and Sec. 3, Cl. 3. Art. II, Sec. 1, Cl. 3 & 5, in Lawler 405-6, 411-12.
B. Representation, political parties and interest groups
1. The Founders' Concern: the danger of "faction" and how representation is supposed to mitigate it Federalist Papers #10 in Lawler pp. 18-21 (read only the second half of #10); #57, pp.79-81; #71, pp. 87-88; #52 in RP pp. 38-39.
2. Tocqueville on democratic representation. DA, p. 173.
3. The distinction between "great parties" and "small parties". DA, 174-79.
3/9 MIDTERM EXAM (In class, short answer, fill in the blank, definitions of key vocabulary terms, and who said what). Be sure to bring BLUEBOOKS.
3/11-3/19 SPRING BREAK
3/21
C. Separation of Powers
1. What is separation of powers and why is it necessary? Federalist Papers #47 in Lawler
pp.21-27.
2. What is separation of powers supposed to do?
a) To secure liberty and protect us from tyranny. Federalist Papers #48, #51, #71 in
Lawler pp. 27-31, 34-36, 87-89.
3/23
b) To make possible an energetic executive "independent" of the legislature.
1) Federalist Papers #37, in RP pp. 90-92 (combining stability and energy).
2) Federalist Papers #70 in Lawler 86-87.
3) Foreign Affairs. DA, pp. 226-30.
c) To make possible an independent judiciary to enforce the Constitution and
laws.
1) Federalist Papers #78 in Lawler pp. 120-26.
2) Thomas Jefferson "Against Judicial Review"(1815), RP pp. 92-93.
3/28
D. Federalism: What is it and why do we have it?
1. The Constitution, Article I, Secs. 8 & 9. Lawler pp. 409-10. Amendment X, in Lawler,
p. 418.
2. The distinction between "federal" and "national." Federalist Papers #39 in Lawler
pp.46-49. Important terms: "the federal government", "the national
government," "the general government," "sovereignty," "division of sovereignty".
3. DA, pp.62-63; What does Tocqueville think is the advantage of the federal system for
democracy? pp. 58-63 & 246, note 1.
4. Important terms: decentralization, federalism, federal government, national
government.
3/30
E. Religion as a political institution.
1. DA, p. 292 (bottom).
2. United States Constitution, 1st Amendment (1791), Lawler p. 416.
3. George Washington, "Farewell Address" (1796) in Lawler pp. 43-44. "Thanksgiving
Proclamation" (1789) in RP p. 93-94.
4/4
F. Religion as a political institution continued. DA, (1833) pp. 46-47; 287-290; 290-94;
294-301; 442-44.
4/6-4/11
III. Persistent questions about the meaning of liberty and equality in American democracy.
A. Religion as a political problem.
1. Thomas Jefferson, "A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom," (1786) in RP pp. 96-
97.
2. Thomas Jefferson, Letter "To Nehemiah Dodge and Others, A Committee of the
Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut," (1802) in RP pp. 98.
3. Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address (1801); Second Inaugural Address (1805)
in RP pp. 3-11.
4/13
4. Justice Hugo Black, Everson v. Board of Education (1947) in RP pp. 99-104.
5. Ronald Reagan, "Remarks at an Ecumenical Prayers Breakfast," August 23, 1984 in
RP pp. 105-108.
4/18
B. Women and Democracy in America
1. Tocqueville's view of women's equality and its consequences for democracy. DA pp.
287, 291, 591, 590-92, 594-600; 600-603.
2. A contemporary view of women's equality and its relation to democracy. "Change:
From What To What" Keynote speech by Barbara Jordan to the Democratic National
Convention, July 1992 in RP pp. 108-110.
4/20-4/25
D. Citizenship: What makes one an American? Proposition 187 and the recent immigration
debate.
1. Being born here or being naturalized. United States Constitution, 14th Amendment,
Lawler p. 419-20.
2. Dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal.
a) Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Douglas at Chicago, Illinois, July 10, 1858 in RP
pp. 111-113.
b) Stephen A. Douglas, Speech from the fifth debate at Galesburg, Illinois,
October 7, 1858 in RP pp. 113-116.
c) Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Douglas at Galesburg, October 7, 1858 and Speech
at Ottawa, Illinois August 21, 1858 in RP pp. 117-120.
d) Frederick Douglass, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro," July 5,
1852, in RP pp.11-13, 20-21; “Speech on the Dred Scott Decision”
May 11, 1857, pp. 131- 136.
e) Dred Scott vs. Sanford (1856), Opinion of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice
Taney, in RP pp. 121-128.
4/27
D. Affirmative Action: Should constitutional rights belong to individuals
or to groups?
1. Robert Goldwin, "Why Blacks, Women, and Jews are not mentioned in the
Constitution," (1987) in RP 76-85.
2. President Bill Clinton, “Mend It Don’t End It” (1995) in RP 163-168.
3. Ward Connerly, “With Liberty and Justice for All” (1996) in RP 168-172.
4. Rep. J. C. Watts (2000) in RP, 173.
5/2
E. Law-abidingness: Should I obey the law?
1. Remember the Declaration of Independence? Can a political system founded on the
right of revolution successfully require law-abidingness? Or is
lawlessness built into the foundational principles of American political life?
2. What is law abidingness? Is disagreement with the Supreme Court disobedience to the
law? Lincoln, “Speech on the Dred Scott decision”, June 26, 1857 in RP pp. 128-130.
Frederick Douglass, "The Dred Scott Decision" May 11, 1857, in RP p. 138.
3. What is the Thanksgiving holiday for?
a) George Washington, “Thanksgiving Proclamation” (1789), RP, 93-94.
b) James Madison, “[Repentance and Thanksgiving] Proclamation,” November
16, 1814, RP, 94-95.
c) Abraham Lincoln, “Proclamation of Thanksgiving” (1863), RP, 95-96.
5/4
4. Why do/should we obey the law?
a) Because it is self-imposed. DA, pp. 240-241.
b) Out of public spirit. Abraham Lincoln, "The Perpetuation of Our Political
Institutions," (1838) in RP pp. 137-142.
c) Out of enlightened self-interest. DA, pp. 235-37.
5. Civil Disobedience: Is law abidingness sometimes neither good nor a duty?
Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" (1963) in RP pp. 143-153.
FINAL EXAM Thursday May 11, 4-5:50 (In class, short answer, fill in the blank, definition of
key vocabulary terms, and who said what). Be sure to bring BLUEBOOKS.