NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLS 150, Section 1 Democracy in America
Instructor: Andy Schott Fall 2005
Office: Zu 408 Course Meeting Place: Du 252
Phone: 753-7052 (office)
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 through 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 (or be) 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 citizen’s understanding and awareness of persistent issues, arguments, and themes of American democracy’s development.
Commons Bookstore has more of them.)
(originally published 1833).
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 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
Proper participation in class is both required and rewarded. As this is a course concerning the discussion of ideas, simple attendance without participating in discussion, is insufficient. The good student will not only be present and attentive in class, but will also actively participate in class discussion by answering questions about the assigned readings, raising questions, and volunteering thoughtful observations about the material. Proper class participation also requires that the student behave with proper courtesy and regard for others’ comments. Because most of our classes will involve reading and discussing passages from the assigned texts, the student should bring the appropriate readings to each class. Frequent class discussion will foster a classroom environment that will be far more interesting and rewarding than one in which the instructor simply lectures every day.
There will be 11 quizzes given throughout the semester. Only 10 of these quizzes will count toward the student’s final grade. Although the instructor will drop the student’s lowest quiz score, one should keep in mind that the remaining ten quizzes comprise 20% of the student’s final grade in the course. The quizzes will consist of 5 short answer questions to be completed at the beginning of class on the dates specified in the class schedule below. 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.
There will be 1 short essays (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. An essay will be accepted up to three (weekend days included) days after the due date, however, these essay 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. 100 points.
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. Each exam is worth 150 points each.
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.
450-500 = A
400-449 = B
350-399 = C
300-349 = D
299 and less = F
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.
The Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are expected to attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary by February 28. All copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and one without the student’s name. Only papers written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the following year’s competition even if the student has graduated.
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.
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
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.
* 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.
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, RP p.181
Martin Luther King, “The Purpose of Education,” 1948
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 (DA) (1833), pp.31-49.
B. The Declaration of Independence: Lawler, pp.1-4.
C. At the Founding: Two kinds of “popular government” and the problem of “faction.”
1. How the Founders distinguished between two kinds of popular governments: “democracy” and “republic.” Federalist #14 in Reading Packet (RP) p.171; Federalist #63 in RP p.164;
Federalist #39 in Lawler, pp.45-49.
8/31 QUIZ #1
2. The problem of “faction” in “popular governments” and the Founders’ solution.
Federalist #10 in Lawler, pp.15-21.
D. Jeffersonian Democracy: Thomas Jefferson, Agriculture vs. manufacturing as ways of social life (1782), RP pp.171-172. First and Second Inaugural Addresses (1801, 1805) in RP, pp.3-8. “On Citizenship,” RP pp.30-31.
9/5 No Class LABOR DAY
E. Tocquevillian Democracy:
1. Equality of conditions. DA “Author’s Introduction” pp.9-12; pp. 50-57; pp. 503-506.
9/9 QUIZ #2
2. Majority Rule. DA “The Principle of the Sovereignty of the People in America” pp.58-60. “The Omnipotence of the Majority in the United States and its Effects” pp.173; 246-56; 262-63.
3. Liberty. DA pp.45-47.
4. Rights. DA “The Idea of Rights in the United States” pp.237-40.
F. Slavery and Democracy:
9/16 QUIZ #3
G. Economic Democracy: The Progressives, the New Deal, and the Great Society.
1. Theodore Roosevelt, “Two Noteworthy Books on Democracy,” (1914) in RP pp.22-26.
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Commonwealth Club Campaign Speech,” (1932) Lawler, pp.174-82.
9/19 ESSAY ASSIGNED
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Message on the State of the Union,” (“The Economic Bill of Rights”) (1944) RP pp.26-27.
4. Lyndon B. Johnson, “The Great Society” (1964) in Lawler pp. 193-95.
H. Civil Liberties Democracy:
West Virginia v. Barnette (1943) in RP p.27.
I. Civil Rights Democracy:
Martin Luther King, “I Have a Dream” speech (1963) in RP pp. 28-29.
II. What political institutions enable American democracy to exist?
9/23 QUIZ #4
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? For what offices? United States Constitution, for Congress: Article I, Section 2, Clause 1 and Section 3, Clause 1 in Lawler pp. 361-62; For President: Article II, Section 1, Clause 2, Lawler p.367; for the Supreme Court, Section 2, Clause 2, Lawler p.369.
2. What are voting and elections for? How important did the Founders think that the right to vote is? Federalist Papers #52 in RP p.34.
3. Who should have a right to vote? Federalist Papers #39 in Lawler pp.45-46.
4. What is “universal suffrage”?
a) “Chancellor Kent on Universal Suffrage” speech to the New York Constitutional Convention of 1821, in RP pp.34-38.
b) DA “Universal Suffrage” pp. 58-60 [esp. 59 bottom to 60 top], 196, 240.
5. Voting and Equality (of social conditions) and voting. Review Tocqueville, DA pp.50-57, 503-506.
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.38-41.
2) The argument from practical considerations. Jane Addams, “Why Women Should Vote,” (1910) in RP pp.41-43.
3) Is voting a right of democratic citizenship? Minor v. Happersett (1875) in RP pp.43-45.
4) U.S. Constitution Amendments XIV, Section 1 (1864) and XIX (1920) in Lawler, p.375, 378.
9/30 QUIZ #5
b) Extending the right to vote to blacks.
1) United States Constitution, 15th Amendment (1870) in Lawler p.377.
2) Lyndon B. Johnson, “Address on Voting Rights,” (1965), in RP pp.45-51.
c) Extending the right to vote to 18 year olds.
United States Constitution, 26th Amendment (1971), Lawler, p. 382.
6. Are there any principled limits on the right to vote consistent with democracy, in terms of either
rights or practice?
a) DA pp.197-203.
b) “The Motor-voter Act,” (1994) Carol Moseley-Braun in RP pp.51-52.
10/3 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, RP p.164.
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 pp.367-68, 374-75.
3) Why is the Supreme Court appointed rather than elected? Federalist Papers#78, Lawler pp.108-09, 112-13.
b) The Progressives’ answer: voters should be able to legislate directly (initiative and
referendum) because representation has failed.
1) Theodore Roosevelt, “The Heirs of Abraham Lincoln” (1913) RP pp.164-71.
2) Theodore Roosevelt, “The Recall of Judicial Decisions” (1912) RP pp.53-59.
c) Constitutional limits on citizens’ right to vote for representatives.
1) Fixed terms of office / progressive arguments for recall / “term limits.”
2) Constitutional requirements to hold office: age, residency, and citizenship. U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 2, Clause 2 and Section 3, Clause 3. Article II, Section 1, Clauses 3 and 5, in Lawler pp. 361-62, 367-68.
10/7 QUIZ #6
B. Representation, Political Parties and Interest Groups:
a) Alexander Hamilton, Publius Letter, III (1778), “On the Character of the Legislator” in RP pp.59-60.
b) Federalist Papers #10 in Lawler pp. 15-21; #57 in Lawler pp.79-81; #71 in Lawler pp.87-88; #52 in RP p.34.
c) DA p.173, 174-79.
2. Recent judicial concerns about representation.
a) U.S. Constitution, Amendment 14, Section 1, Lawler pp.375-76.
b) Chief Justice Warren in Reynolds v. Sims (1964) in RP pp.60-66. Representation is secondary to and derivative from voting rights and voting rights are understood essentially in light of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
c) Dissent by Justice Harlan in Reynolds v. Sims (1964) in RP 64-66. Denies there is any constitutional standard for what constitutes just apportionment.
d) Important terms: representative districts, apportionment.
10/12 REVIEW and CATCH-UP
10/14 MIDTERM EXAM (In class, short answer, fill in the blank, definitions of key vocabulary terms, and who said what). Be sure to bring BLUEBOOKS.
10/17 Hand Back and Discuss Midterm Exam
C. Separation of Powers:
1. What is separation of powers and why is it necessary? Federalist Papers #47 in Lawler
2. What is separation of powers for?
a) To secure liberty and protect us from tyranny.
1) Federalist Papers #48, #51, #71 in Lawler pp.27-31, 34-38, 87-88.
2) Justice Brandeis in Myers v. U.S. (1926) in RP pp.92-93.
10/21 QUIZ #7
b) To make possible an energetic executive “independent” of the legislature.
1) Federalist Papers #37 in RP pp.93-94 (combining stability and energy)
2) Federalist Papers #70 in Lawler pp.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.244-49.
2) Thomas Jefferson “Against Judicial Review” (1815) in RP pp. 98-99.
D. Federalism: What is it and why do we have it?
1. U.S. Constitution Article I, Sections 8 and 9, Lawler pp. 365-66. Amendment X, in Lawler, p.374.
2. The distinction between “federal” and “national.” Federalist Papers #39 in Lawler pp.45-49.
Important terms: “the federal government,” “the national government,” “the general government,” “sovereignty,” “division of sovereignty.”
3. DA p.62-63; 158-63 and 246, note 1. Important terms: “decentralization,” “federalism.”
4. Ronald Reagan, “The State of the Union Address” (1982) in Lawler pp.61-62.
5. Garcia v. San Antonio (1985) in Lawler, pp.62-66.
6. Important terms: decentralization, federalism, federal government, and national government.
10/28 QUIZ #8
E. Religion as a political institution:
1. DA pp. 46-47; 287-90; 290-294; 294-301; 442-444.
2. U.S. Constitution 1st Amendment (1791) in Lawler pp.372-73.
3. George Washington, “Farewell Address” (1796) in Lawler pp.43-44.
4. George Washington, “Thanksgiving Proclamation” (1789) in RP pp.99-100; James Madison, “[Repentance and Thanksgiving] Proclamation” November 16, 1814 in RP pp.100-101; Abraham Lincoln, “Proclamation of Thanksgiving” (1863) in RP pp.101-102
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.102-03.
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.103-104.
3. Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address (1801) and Second Inaugural Address (1805) in RP pp3-8. For First Inaugural read only p.4, paragraph 1.
11/4 QUIZ #9
4. Justice Hugo Black, Everson v. Board of Education (1947) in RP pp.104-109.
5. Ronald Reagan, “Remarks at an Ecumenical Breakfast,” August 23, 1984 in RP pp. 109-12.
11/7 – 11/9
B. Women and democracy in America:
1. Tocqueville’s view of women’s equality and its consequences for democracy. DA pp.287, 291, 590-603.
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. 117-19.
11/11 QUIZ #10
C. Citizenship: What makes one an American? Proposition 187 and the recent immigration debate.
1. Being born here or being naturalized. U.S. Constitution 14th Amendment, in Lawler pp.375-76.
2. Dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal.
a) The Declaration of Independence, Lawler pp.1-4
b) Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Douglas at Chicago, Illinois, July 10, 1858 in RP pp.119-21.
c) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856), Opinion of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice Taney, in RP pp.128-34.
d) Abraham Lincoln, “Speech on the Dred Scott Decision” June 26, 1857 in RP pp.136-38; Frederick Douglass, “The Meaning of July Forth for the Negro,” July 5, 1852 in RP pp.11-13, 20-21; Frederick Douglass, “Speech on the Dred Scott Decision,” May 11, 1857, RP pp.138-143.
e) Stephen A. Douglas, Speech from the fifth debate at Galesburg, Illinois, October 7, 1858 in RP pp.121-24.
f) Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Douglas at Galesburg, Illinois, October 7, 1858 in RP pp.124-28.
11/18 QUIZ #11
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 pp.80-88.
2. President Bill Clinton, “Mend It Don’t End It” (1995) in RP pp.172-77.
3. Ward Connerly, “With Liberty and Justice for All” (1996) in RP 177-80.
4. Rep. J.C. Watts (2000) in RP p.181.
11/23 AND 11/25 NO CLASS BE THANKFUL!
F. 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?
a) Is disagreement with the Supreme Court disobedience to the law?
1) Abraham Lincoln, “Speech on the Dred Scott Decision” June 26, 1857 in RP pp.136-38.
2) Frederick Douglass, “The Dred Scott Decision” May 11, 1857 in RP p.138.
3) Frederick Douglass, “Speech on the Civil Rights Case” in RP pp.143-48.
3. Why do/should we obey the law?
a) Out of enlightened self-interest. DA pp.235-237.
b) Because it is self-imposed. DA pp.240-41.
c) Out of public spirit. Abraham Lincoln, “The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions” (1838) in RP pp.149-154.
4. Civil Disobedience: Is law-abidingness sometimes neither good nor a duty? Martin Luther King, Jr. “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” (1963) in RP pp. 152-164.
12/5 FINAL EXAM (Essay and short answers—including definitions of key vocabulary terms and who said what). Be sure to bring BLUEBOOKS.