Basic Concepts of Democracy

WoRTH OF THE individual Belief of the importance of the individual The concept of the dignity and worth of individual is of overriding importance

Equality of all persons Stresses the equality of all individuals Does not mean the equality of condition, just the equality of opportunity and equality before the law

Majority rule, minority rights Majority Rule restrained by minority rights Majority Rule = 50% + 1 Possibility of the majority destroying the opposition and, thus, democracy Minority Rights = majority must always recognize the rights of any minority and listen to the minorities arguments, objections, criticisms, etc.

Necessity of compromise Compromise = the blending and adjusting of competing views and interests Compromise is an essential part of democracy because 1) We have a diverse nation with diverse interests 2) Few public questions have only two sides

Individual FREEDOM Democracy can only thrive in an atmosphere of individual freedom (but not absolute freedom) Requires that individuals be as free to do as he or she pleases as far as the freedom of all will allow “The right to swing my fist ends where the other mans nose begins.”