We have learned that the fundamental attributes of liberal representative democracy are popular sovereignty, political equality, and political liberty.
Each suggests a set of questions that will be raised throughout this book to encourage critical thinking about American political life.
About popular sovereignty, we should ask:
• Do citizens participate in politics?
• Can citizens be involved when they choose to be, and are political leaders responsive?
• Do institutions, such as political parties, elections, interest groups, and social movements, effectively transmit what citizens want to political leaders?
• What is the quality of the public deliberation on the major public policy issues of the day?
