Foundations of Government Part 7: Democracy

Review What are the three types of government? Explain each. What are the systems of government?

Democracy Who rules? Can we break democracy down any further? How do you know when you have a true democracy?

Characteristics of Democracy There are FOUR main characteristics of democracy: Individual liberty Majority rule with minority rights Free elections Competing political parties

Individual Liberty All people need to be free to develop their talents. A democratic government will promote equal opportunities. Example: Higher education

Majority Rule with Minority Rights Decisions are made through majority rule (of voters in a free election). Although difficult to maintain, a democratic government will combat the concern of tyranny of the majority so that the rights of the minority are protected. Example: Volunteer military service

Free Elections The people have a chance to voice their opinions, with elected officials and/or the government paying attention to their votes. In a democratic government, everyone’s vote is worth the same, voters receive competing ideas from multiple candidates, citizens are able to help these candidates and/or support issues, the requirements for voting are kept to a minimum, and voters use secret ballots without fear of punishment for their decisions.

Competing Political Parties Political Party: a group with the same political beliefs and ideas that strives to gain authority. Rival parties make elections meaningful, create a focus on a few key issues, and give voters choice. In a democratic government, the idea of “loyal opposition” creates criticism on the party in power so that it is more responsible to the people.

Keys to Success There are FIVE things a democracy needs to succeed: Active citizen participation A favorable economy Widespread education Strong civil society Social consensus

Active Citizen Participation Citizens who are willing to participate in civic life, i.e. politics Places where citizens are able to learn about issues, vote, support candidates, and run for offices are more likely to maintain a strong democracy. Why is this important? Citizens are at the root of democracy. If they don’t participate in a government that, by definition, gives them the power, there is no democracy.

A Favorable Economy Democratic countries should not have extremes of wealth and poverty but should have a large middle class. Citizens who make the majority of their own economic decisions feel better about making their own political decisions. Why is this important? If a democratic society’s economy is unfavorable, the opportunity for another type of government to take over is more prominent. This is because the people will become more concerned about their security than their political participation.

Widespread Education Democracy sees the need for public education. Because it presents voters with choice, it wants them to make informed decisions, and institutes education so that citizens can more effectively understand issues and evaluate candidates. Why is this important? If citizens do not understand who or what they are voting for, they are not really being presented with choice and this takes away from free elections.

Strong Civil Society Civil Society: a complex network of groups, organizations, and associations that exist independently of the government. These groups give citizens a way to make their views known to each other and the government, acting as another way to participate in democracy. Why is this important? Even if citizens do not feel comfortable voting, or maybe do not yet meet the requirements to vote, a strong civil society will still allow them to participate and make their opinions known. A weak civil society will have a isolationistic effect on the population and give the impression that personal opinions are not important.

Social Consensus The population must first and foremost agree on the democratic values, the limits and purpose of government. The people have to be willing to allow democracy to exist within their society. Why is this important? Really? I thought the second bullet covered that. But if you insist: If there is no consensus amongst the people on the institution of democracy, it will not exist or will begin to incorporate characteristics from other types of government, essentially making it less of a democracy.

All of this is connected… Without a social consensus, there may or may not be individual liberty or majority rule with minority rights. Without active citizen participation, there is no need for free elections. Without a strong civil society, there would not be political parties. Without widespread education, citizens would have a harder time recognizing their individual liberty and participating in free elections.

Review How many forms of democracy are there? What are they? How many characteristics of democracy are there? How many things does democracy need to succeed?