Roots of Democracy Read: Democracy or a Republic What is the author’s viewpoint about our government? Are there any point that you disagree with? Underline the arguments for the type of government he believes we have.

Democracy is.. A system of government in which citizens: Vote for their leaders Have specific rights and responsibilities

Democracy came from many sources:

The ancient Greeks : In Athens, citizens voting for their leaders became common “Civic virtue” became important to many philosophers.

The ancient Romans : Developed the “rule of law” common to all citizens throughout the empire Developed advanced forms of representative government, before evolving in to a dictatorship.

The Bible: Hebrew prophets developed the idea of all people being equal, created in the image of God. The idea caring for the weaker members of society.

The Magna Carta British Document King John forced to recognize his power was limited by the Barons First step toward limited government

English Bill of Rights Made Parliament stronger than King or Queen Protected rights to trial by jury Outlawed cruel and unusual punishment Individual Rights

Mayflower Compact Pilgrims signed it Agreed to follow all laws made by elected leaders

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Limited powers of colony government Powers not given to colony given to towns Similar to federalism

House of Burgesses Founded at Jamestown in 1619 First representative body in the English colonies Served as a model for other colonies

Two types of democracy Direct democracy Power vested directly in the people All citizens take part in each decision made Majority rule, no protection for minority Indirect democracy Citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them This is also referred to as a Republic Definition of a republic: power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. Protection by rule of law.

13 Key elements of Democracy: 1.Citizen Involvement 2.System of Representation 3.Rule of Law 4.Electoral System 5.Equality 6.Freedom, Liberty, and Rights 7.Education

14 1) Citizen Involvement Direct Democracy: Citizens take part personally in deliberations and vote on issues. Citizens debate and vote on all laws. Representative Democracy: Citizens choose (elect) other citizens to debate and pass on laws.

15 Participation 1.Voting. 2.Political parties and/or interest groups. 3.Political meetings or public hearings, discussing politics, calling your representative.

16 Elitist theories of democracy Proponents Say: Elites (usually “experts” but not necessarily) should rule. Citizens choose between elite proposals. Result is a smoothly running and efficient government and society. Politics is too complex for average citizens to be able to create good policy.

17 Elitist theories of democracy Opponents Say: Efficiency is not as important as citizen influence on policy making. Average citizen is capable of understanding the complexity of politics.

18 Pluralism Proponents Say: Competing interest groups check each other’s power  none become too strong. Protects citizens from centralized power. Recognizes, Protects, and Promotes diversity of interests within society.

19 Pluralism Opponents Say: Overriding interest remains: stay in power! Does not protect freedom unless freedom is in the interest of the powerful. It maintains the status quo  does not provide opportunity to change an unjust system.

20 Corporatism Proponents Say: Interest groups are integrated into the government. More harmonious interactions within society. Interest groups help government make policy that reflects the common good and interests of the society.

21 Corporatism Increases the power of unelected people The concept is irrevocably tainted by Fascism. Reduces citizen involvement

22 The “Iron Triangle” Department of Labor (Government) Business Organizations Unions

23 Participatory Democracy Low voter turnout should not be “rationalized.” Advocate “Citizen Law Makers”  People are more likely to follow laws they help make. If we must have representative democracy then we must create incentives for more participation. For example: 1.Term limits 2.Recall Elections

24 Participatory Democracy Opponents Say: Impractical in large republics Policies will less often be made by experts

25 2) A system of Representation Citizens delegate power to representatives to act for them. Based upon the 2010 census there is one representative for every 710,767 citizens.

26 Should representatives simply reflect the interests of its constituency or should they be independent agents? Edmund Burke ( ): representatives are independent agents. Jean-Jacques Rousseau ( ): “Any law which the people have not ratified in person is null, it is not a law.”

27 3) Rule of Law Law is supreme, nobody is above the law, even those who make law  against divine right doctrine  popular sovereignty—all power emanates from the people.

28 4) The Electoral system Conflict over procedure of choosing representatives Electoral process begins with the selection of candidates—But how does one become a candidate? Importance of access to information. Result of not voting is the transference of political power to others.

31 Majority Rule % What happened in the 1992 election? US system is “Winner take all” or “first past the post”. Result: Minority view is not represented

32 In Europe Proportional representation Seats are allocated in the legislature on the basis of percentage of votes cast for party  A=%35 B = %30 C= %25 D = %10. Governments are formed in coalition with other parties in order to make %

33 Minority Voice Some rights can’t be taken away by the majority. In the USA, government cannot take rights away without 2/3 rd house and senate and ¾ of state legislative

34 5) Equality Definition: sameness in relevant aspects Disagreement over definition: A.political equality B.equality before the law C.equality of opportunity D.economic equality E.equality of respect or social equality;

35 Natural Rights and Civil Rights: Natural Rights: Rights a person has a human being Civil Rights: Rights derived from government.

36 How do we limit Government? Frequent elections Watch dogs Civil disobedience Protest Revolution

Compare the US and Japan Look at all of the information about Japan and the United States In pairs answer the questions about the democracy in the two countries