Basic Concepts of Democracy

“ No government demands so much from the citizens as Democracy, and none gives so much back.” James Bryce 1838-1922

“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Basic Concepts of Democracy Worth of the Individual The welfare of one or a few is subordinated to the interests of many. People can be forced to do things whether they want to or not. When a democratic society forces people to pay a tax or obey traffic signals, it is serving the interests of many.

Basic Concepts of Democracy Equality of All Persons Democracy stresses the equality of all individuals. Democracy does not insist on an equality of condition for all persons. Demo. insists that all people are entitled to: Equality of opportunity Equality before the law

Basic Concepts of Democracy Majority Rule, Minority Rights Democracy argues that a majority of the people will be right more often than they will be wrong. The majority must always recognize the right of any minority to become, by fair and lawful means, the majority.

Basic Concepts of Democracy Necessity of Compromise The process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests. Democracy puts the individual 1st, and at the same time, insists that each person is equal to another. 2. Few public questions have only two sides.

Basic Concepts of Democracy Individual Freedom Democracy does not and cannot insist on complete freedom for the individual. Absolute freedom can only exist in a state of anarchy. Each person must be as free to do as he pleases as far as the freedom of all will allow.