ideal democracy

(1) What does Dahl mean by “Ideal Democracy” in Part 1 of his book “On Democracy”? Define and summarize Dahl’s more significant points.

(2) Using what you have learned in Part 1 of the Dahl book (through Chapter 7), discuss whether or not the founding of our United States (the Articles of Confederation, creation of the US Constitution) seems to have been “democratic”? If it was, to what extent was it democratic? How well do you think the early United States, during our founding years, would measure up to Dahl’s framework of “ideal democracy”? Discuss any arguable democratic deficits (or shortcoming, deficiencies) that you may perceive to have existed during those early years. Consider the creation and effects of the Constitution.

(3) In your view, how well did the United States measure up to Dahl’s “ideal democracy” after the founding (such as regarding post-Civil War Amendments, their impacts, etc) and through the more recent era of the 1950-1960’s push for civil rights? Again, discuss any democratic deficits, or deficiencies. Do you notice any improvements during these many years from the founding to the 1960s? Can you argue for any development of our “democracy”, including imperfections or flaws?

As you work on this paper, consider Dahl’s concept of “ideal democracy” and aim to identify any democratic deficits (and any arguable tradeoffs) that you perceive to have existed during these times of our country’s development. Always argue for your points. Think about what is significant. Aim to learn something about our country’s political and social development since birth through the 1960’s civil rights era. Use and cite any evidence you wish. Cite everything used, even if from the text, even if paraphrased. Due to the fairly short length of this paper and the need to limit scope of your material and points, you will need to make an outline and hit the more significant or major points. You will decide and argue for your positions on what seems to be significant to the development of democracy in the United States. Think critically. Relate to the Dahl book.
SPECIFIC HINTS on the topic:
1. You may consider the founding of the United States, including the Articles of Confederation, the Philadelphia Convention, the resulting United States Constitution and any relevant issues or problems that became evident in society, and what we have covered in the course through civil rights and liberties.
2. Regarding issues and events related to civil rights and liberties, did the post-Civil War Amendments and legal decisions (you may consider this as a civil rights movement) make any difference to our level or degree of “democracy”, as defined under Dahl’s framework? You may consider any political-social-economic problems that led up to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. How close to Dahl’s “ideal democracy” did these civil rights movements bring our country?