Government by the people Democracy Government by the people

Democracy Defined: One person – one vote A vote is held for every decision. Majority rules.

Distribution of Power ✗ Choice 1 Choice 2

Distribution of Power Choice 1 Choice 2

Distribution of Power Choice 1

Key Figures Solon, Cleisthenes, and Ephialtes are each credited in different degrees by historians for developing the idea of government by the people. demos – the population of an ancient Greek state -cracy – rule Demoi – a subdivision in Ancient Athens

Historical Examples The ancient Greek civilization Athens developed the one of the world’s first and only democracies with Pericles around 450 B.C. Every Athenian citizen was allowed equal voice in the government of the city-state. Only land-owning males were deemed citizens.

If our class were a democracy: The teacher would have no authority to make decisions for the class. Every time a decision is made, every student in the class would get to vote on the curriculum and actions of the class. Whatever choices were selected by the majority of students would be implemented and would apply to everyone.

Pros and Cons Fairness Promotes engagement and intelligence Allows for flexibility Freedom/equality Inefficient Can promote uneducated decisions Tyranny of the majority

Decisions Decisions are made through popular vote. Every person gets a voice. Majority rules. Everyone is subject to the decisions of the majority.

Is our country a democracy? No, even though we often refer to our “democratic principles.” In some rare cases, our citizens are allowed to make decisions through direct voting. An initiative allows for citizens to directly pass a law through popular vote. A referendum allows citizens to directly repeal a vote. A recall allows citizens to take a person out of an appointment.