Chapter 4 The Meaning of Democracy

Introduction: 1.A term used to describe popular government

2.Comes from two Greek words: demos – the people and kratos – authority or government

History: * Created in Athens, Greece

* Many people were excluded such as women, slaves and foreigners

* Usually directed by a small group of wealthy men

* Weakness – usually went unchecked by established law – it was not governed by any absolutes

*Rome – operated as a republic from the 5th to the 1st centuries when it became an empire ruled by autocrats

DevelopmentMiddle AgesMany communes were created where people lived outside of the authority of a lord. This means that there was community ownership of property, a form of modern day socialism.

This is exactly what Karl Marx described; that democracy leads to socialism.

When democracy in Rome ended, socialism took root everywhere that a monarch did not have influence.

Rebirth of popular government in EnglandThe English Parliament began to exert power over the kings.

*It was an island thus it was more important for the people to have a say or at least appear to in order to keep the peace.

*Magna Carta – 1215 1. Established the “law of the land” as superior even to the king 2. Established a basis for due process, that certain legal procedures must be enforced to protect the rights of the accused.

*English Bill of Rights – 1689

1. According to John Locke - the government, even a monarchy was responsible for protecting the lives and property of its citizens, if not the people were justified in overthrowing him or her. (Rebellion)

2. Advocated limited government

3. Supported personal liberty

John Locke: 1632 – 1704The Father of Liberalism,

was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the American Declaration of Independence.

Considerations of the Founding Fathers1. How to keep democratic principles in

place? * Guard against man’s sinful nature by putting the Constitution in place * Limited government * Checks and balances – 3 branches * Biblical foundation * Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments outlining freedom, equality and liberty

2. How do we maintain the government over a large area? * Representation * Federalism

3. What form will the new government take? * Representative * Restrained – through the implementation of the Constitution *Maintained as long as Biblical principles were kept

Conditions:1. Opportunity – to better ones self educationally and

economically. Allows citizens to be productive, prosperous and peaceful. This is NOT a guarantee of success

2. Equality – political or legal equality. All of us are equal under the law. This does not mean and was never intended to mean equality of wealth, talent and etc…at the expense of personal liberty.

3. Education – Literacy, the ability to read and the ability to think critically

4. Moral Responsibility – Submission to the rule of law, stemming from our obedience to God, whom we love and who loves us. This creates an internal desire to “do the right thing”. Doing what is morally correct, not necessarily what is popular.

*Education without a sense of moral responsibility allows individuals like Hitler to gain power and for ideologies like Nazism to take root.

Chapter 4 Review

1. What is the problem with our general definition of democracy?

2. What allows democracy to be inherently weak?

3. Why did Karl Marx believe that democracy leads to socialism? What historical evidence exists to support that belief?

4. What two important concepts did the Magna Carta put forth?

5. John Locke espoused the idea that citizens could take what action against the government? Why?

6. What two concepts did Locke put forth regarding government and citizens?

7. State two ways that our Founding Fathers tried to maintain Democratic Principles in our

government:

8. What restrains our government? What maintains that restraint?

9. Describe the four conditions of our republic in your own words, be prepared to write a paragraph about each.