HON351 American Ideals in Global Perspective
Spring Semester 2008
Study Guide
Ideology and Democracy
Reading Assignment:
Ball and Dagger, chapters 1, 2
Questions to think about as you read chapter 1
1. In your own words, what is does it mean to have an ideology? What functions do ideologies serve in the thought processes of people?
2. Do you have a personal political ideology? If so, what are your core beliefs?
3. How do people acquire an ideology? What factors influenced the development of the ideology that you had?
4. How committed are you to your ideology? Are there circumstances that might cause you to modify it?
Questions to think about as you read Chapter 2?
1. Specifically what is it that distinguishes a democracy from other types of governing systems? What are the alternatives to democratic rule?
2. What concerns did prominent Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle regarding the establishment of democratic rule?
3. What distinctions can be drawn between a pure democracy and a republic (or mixed government)?
4. What contributions did the writings of Machiavelli make to democratic theory?
5. What reservations did Tocqueville have about democracy as practiced in the United States in the 19th century?
6. Are the concerns about democracy that have been raised back through the ages relevant today? In the United States? In other countries?
7 . What is distinctive about the following three types of democracy------liberal democracy, social democracy, and people'sdemocracy?