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The Meaning of Democracy Government Chapter 4

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I. History of Democracy The word democracy comes from two Greek words: Demos the people Kratos authority or government

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I. History of Democracy Democracy is government by the people.

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I. History of Democracy - Greece Fifth Fourth Century B.C. Athens, Greece first society to have claimed to be a government by the people. However, they excluded most of the population since women, slaves, and foreign residents were excluded from participation. (About 10% actually participated.) The Athenians ruled directly and probably worked harder at governing themselves than any group of people before or since. p. 45

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I. History of Democracy - Greece The Athenian democracy had two weaknesses: 1. The majoritys say was unchecked by established law. 2. Demagogues could manipulate the assembly with emotional appeals. Demagogue: a person, esp. an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people. Dictionary.com

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I. History of Democracy - Rome From the fifth to the fourth century B.C. Rome operated under a Republican form of government. Popular assemblies elected the leaders and ratified decisions made by aristocrats. Tribunes were officials who were responsible for protecting the rights of individuals against abuses. Rome later became an empire government by autocrats and their armies.

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I. History of Democracy What are some possible dangers of a democracy without a constitution? Minority rights? Stability?

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Greek & Roman Influence

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Greek and Roman Influence U.S. founding fathers had read and studied about the Greek democracy and the Roman Republic. They were aware of the strengths and weaknesses of both. The Federalist Papers are full of references to lessons learned from the past. The Lincoln Memorial symbolizes the influence in its replica of the Parthenon (a Greek temple dedicated to the worship of Athena) and the Roman symbol of power, the fasces.

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I. History of Democracy - Florence The medieval/renaissance city-state of Florence had a semblance of a republic, but in reality it was dominated by the powerful Medici family.

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History of Democracy - England English Parliament began to dominate her kings by the 18 th Century, A.D. Possible reasons 1. Its a relatively isolated island 2. It was far from Rome and the control of the Church

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I. History of Democracy - England Magna Carta 1215 protected the English nobility from King Johns encroachments and laid the foundation for English freedoms for all men. English Bill of Rights 1689 limited the monarchys power and asserted the peoples rights, known as the Glorious Revolution because it was a major shift in political power.

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Compare: English Bill of Rights 1689 vs. U.S. Bill of Rights 1791

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I. History of Democracy - Framers Two major issues faced by the Constitutional framers: 1. How to incorporate democratic ideas into the new American government. 2. How to make a democratic republic work over a vast territory.

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Incorporating Democratic Ideals Why did the framers fear direct democracy? They believed the public was too fickle and prone to snap decisions. They believed the public didnt own enough property or wealth to form a stable government. They were concerned that a democracy would degenerate into tyranny. Yet they firmly believed in democratic principles!

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Incorporating Democratic Ideals Declaration We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

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Incorporating Democratic Ideals They believed in democratic principles but had to address the essential problem with democracy: mans sinful nature. They addressed sinful human nature through the written law in the form of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Constitution: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches (checks & balances) Bill of Rights: Protection of individual liberties.

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Making Democracy work over Distance To address the issue of how to make a democratic republic work over a vast territory the founders 1. established self-government by representation. 2. instituted federalism, the division and distribution of governmental power into national and state levels.

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Democracy or Republic? What did the founders mean by the United States shall guarantee to every statea republican form of government? 1. Protection against tyranny and mob rule through a written constitution and removing government operations from the direct control of the majority. 2. Thus we end up with a representative republic (a) ruled by a constitution and (b) based on democratic principles.

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II. Characteristics of Democracy Majority Rule: numerical majority makes binding decisions on everyone. Popular majority majority of all citizens Representative majority - a majority of elected officials The representative majority may not always represent the popular majority. The representatives dont always know the will of the majority. The representatives may go against the majority if they feel its in the best interest of the nation as a whole.

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II. Characteristics of Democracy One problem of majority rule is that it can be repressive to the rights and opinions of the majority. Why should 51% of the people be able to impose their will on 49% of the people? 1. Its better than unanimity (requiring total agreement). 2. The majority is fluid (changes) and people may be in the majority on one issue and the minority on another. The rights of the minority are protected by the Constitution. The principle of individual equality under the law and the freedom of political action give the minority a voice.

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Equality What do we mean by the democratic principle of equality? People differ from each other Physically Socially Financially Educationally Culturally. However, the people must have Political Equality!

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Equality Political Equality involves Equality of justice Equality of the franchise (vote) It is proper that you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our Governmentequal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political;...freedom of religion, freedom of the press; freedom of person under the protection of the habeas corpus. ---Thomas Jefferson

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Justice cannot exist apart from equality.

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Liberty Personal Freedom: Freedom of conscience Freedom of association Freedom of expression Political Liberty: (freedom to influence government) Right to vote Right to campaign Right to hold elective office

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An overemphasis on equality can actually infringe upon personal freedom. Equality & liberty must co-exist on the same level in order for political, social and economic opportunity to be possible.

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Necessity of Compromise Must be willing to compromise on non- essentials. Never compromise the truth or Gods Law. How does one tell the difference?

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Individual Worth For democracy to work, each individual must be recognized as a distinct being created in Gods image and loved by God. (Genesis 1:27, 9:6 & John 3:16) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights

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Conditions for Democracy Opportunity Education Moral Responsibility

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Opportunity A person must have the opportunity to improve himself economically, to expand himself educationally, and to involve himself politically.

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Education A citizen must be able to engage in civic thinking. Civic thinking involves an understanding of the political ideas and institutions that shape our government, a valuing of heritage, and an ability to evaluate current issues and national direction. To make sound decisions, a citizen must be able to think critically to evaluate the issues and candidates and not fall for demagoguery and purely self-interest.

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Moral Responsibility Moral responsibility implies submission to the rule of law. Without the peoples respect for the law, the law would be meaningless and would protect no one. Moral responsibility provides a standard for judging the actions of the majority, recognizing that the majority can be wrong at times and on certain issues. The tyranny of the majority should be avoided.