America’s Founding Ideals

Equality

• The situation in which all people are treated the same way.

Founding Ideals JournalEquality:• Is equality of condition something

that we should try to achieve in the United States?• Why or Why not?• Is equality of condition a realistic

goal?

Rights• Powers or

privileges granted to people either by an agreement among themselves or by law.

Founding Ideals JournalRights:• Are there rights that aren’t protected

that should be protected? (clean environment, health care, etc.)• Who should determine if our rights

should be changed?• What would the process be?

Liberty• Freedom of

religion, political thought, and from government interference

Founding Ideals JournalLiberty:• Are there circumstances when our

personal liberty should be restricted? If yes, how and why? If no, why not?• How should decisions about

limitations on personal liberty be made?

Opportunity

• The chance for people to pursue their hopes and dreams.

Founding Ideals JournalOpportunity:• Is it enough to “level the playing

field” so that everyone has the same chance to succeed in life (equality), or should efforts be made to expand opportunities for the least fortunate among us? Why or Why not?

Democracy• A system of

government founded on the simple principle that the power to rule comes from the consent of the governed.

Founding Ideals JournalDemocracy:• Why do you think so many people do

not take advantage of their right to vote?• Can democracy survive if large parts

of the population are not involved in public affairs?

Founding Ideals JournalMost Important Ideal:• Which founding ideal do you

believe is the most important? Why?