September 11, 2012Democracy

Ordinary people want to rule themselves and are

capable of doing so.

Review Question: Discuss two reasons why the framers created a

bicameral legislature?Objective: Students will be able to

understand the basic foundations and definitions of Democracy

Democracy

• DIRECT VS. INDIRECT DEMOCRACY– REPUBLIC – US– PRO/CON FOR EACH

Fundamental Principles of Representative

Democracy

1) Popular Sovereignty

•Power of People•AUTHORITY=people.

How to recognize popular sovereignty?

a) Government Policies reflect the wishes of the

people• Government does = what the

people want it to do. • Do politician always do what

we want?– When is this necessary?

b) Government Leaders are elected-SMSR

c) Elections are Free and Fair

• No coercion of voters• Election rules must not favor • Ballots must be accurately

counted.

d) People must participate in the political process!-

• Kinds of Participation: 1. ?2. ?3. ?4. ?5. 5?

e) High Quality information is available-

From where??• Access to accurate political information.

• If True or unbiased informationpopular sovereignty

f) The majority rules!

Fundamental Principle…#2) Political Equality

• (Bill Gates vs. Mr. Hankel)

• 14th Amendment--“equal protection clause”--

3) Political Liberty

• Basic freedoms – WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE FREEDOMS?– 1.– 2.– 3.– 4.

Objections to Majoritarian Representative

DemocracyWhy democracy is a bad idea!

1) “Majority Tyranny” threatens liberty

suppression of the rights of the minority by the majority

• Foundersprevent majority tyranny

• EXAMPLES?

2) The people are irrational and incompetent• Americans do not care much about

politics1. Poorly informed, unstable in their

views, a2. Not much interest in participating in

the political process.