Began in Ancient Greece/Rome over 2500 years ago

Every citizen had the right and responsibility to participate in the city gov’t and all citizens had an equal vote, this is direct democracy All citizens met to debate and vote first hand. Would this work today? Why or why not?

Representative democracy: Citizens choose a smaller group to represent them in gov’t The United States is the oldest representative

democracy

Foundations of Democracy

Principles of Democracy

1. “Government of the

people, by the people,

and for the people”

Power comes from the

people

Citizens run gov’t through

their representatives

Government exists to make

the US a better place for its

citizens to live

Principles of Democracy

2. Free, fair, and

competitive elections

must be held

One person = one vote

Candidates have the right to

express views freely to the

public

Legal requirements for voting

must be kept at min. (age,

residence, citizenship)

Vote freely by secret ballot

Principles of Democracy

3. All people have equal opportunity to develop

talents

4. Majority Rule: when differences arise we will

abide by what most people want and still

respect the rights of those in the minority

Rights of the minority can be difficult to maintain if

society is under stress

Japanese after WWII and Muslims after 9/11