Foundations of Democracy Pages 12-16 Chapter 1 Section 3 Foundations of Democracy Pages 12-16

Objectives 1. List the major principles of democracy. 2. Identify the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy.

Activity I will divide you into six groups. As a group you will be assigned one of the following dilemmas: Take away your right to vote at age 18. Prevent women from holding public office. Prevent immigrants in this country from attending public schools. Eliminate jail sentences for theft. Forbid guide dogs for visually-impaired people on airplanes. Take the money that would have been spent on education and use it to build golf courses.

The Task Brainstorm ways that you might inform Congress of your concerns or protest the proposed laws. Present your findings to the class.

Outcome In this section you will learn that the chance to voice concerns to lawmakers is a right of U.S. citizens because the United States is a representative democracy.

Five Principles of Democracy 1. Allowing Choices-living in a democratic society we can make our own choices in free and fair elections. We also have the right to make choices in other areas such as religion, have opinions, and jobs. 2. Recognizing Individual Worth-In a democracy all people are allowed equal opportunity to take risks and to succeed or fail on their own merits.

3. Promoting Respect for Law-In a democracy the people have the responsibility to obey the laws are established by government. The people have the right to challenge the fairness of the laws. 4. Protecting Minority Rights- Majority rule-democracy is expressed in government by voting. More than half of the membership of a group.

Liberal democracy-form of democracy that protects the rights of the minority. Minority rights-political rights that cannot be abolished in a democracy even though they are held by less than half of the population. 5. Promoting the Public Good-Allows citizens to participate and to make informed decisions about which public policies are best for the citizens.

Advertisement Activity Create an advertisement promoting one of the five principles of democracy. The advertisement should clearly promote the principle it is describing and should include some sort of visual. Each student will discuss his or her advertisement with the rest of the class. Advertisements will be displayed.

Forms of Democracy Direct Democracy-laws in which are made directly from all citizens. (Example: Voting on school lunch is a direct democracy.)

Representative Democracy-people elect representatives to conduct the business of government for them. Government officials answer to the voters.