Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Date: February 2, 2005

Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News Date: February 1, 2005

Artist: Stephane Peray, Thailand Date: August 10, 2005

Ancient Athens

DEMOCRACY Majority rule Govt. by and for the people Rights of the individual protected Elected representatives carry out the people ’ s will Freedom Everyone equal under the law

a system of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected representatives

A form of democracy in which the people as a whole make direct decisions, rather than having those decisions made for them by elected representatives

referendum - the practice of submitting a law to a popular vote at election time. The law may be proposed by a voter's initiative or by the legislature Should Washington State ban smoking in public places? ____________________________ Yes No

recall - A procedure whereby the voters can vote to remove an elected official from office

 Political Culture: beliefs of a people about their government and politics  The U.S. was founded in 1776 on a set of principles that became a common bond for its citizens.  The U.S. has always been a nation of immigrants struggling for a greater level of acceptance and unity.

 Liberty  Equality  Self-Government  Individualism  Diversity  Unity

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 John Locke, Age of Enlightenment Constitutional Convention, State House in Philadelphia (1787) Aristotle

 The idea that people should be free to act and think as they choose, provided that they do not infringe on other’s liberties. Great Depression9/11

 All individuals are equal in their moral worth, and thus should be treated equally under the law Slavery: Equality?Anti-Immigration: Equality?

 People are the ultimate source of governmental authority. Their voice is the only voice that matters. American Revolution,

 Commitment to personal initiative, self- sufficiency, and material accumulation

 Holds that individual and group differences should be valued and respected.  “E pluribus unum”  One out of many.

 Idea that Americans are one people and form an indivisible nation.

AMERICANS ARE LINKED BY  Liberty  Equality  Self-Government  Individualism  Diversity  Unity  Kinship  Political ideals!

“Voting is a civic sacrament.” Theodore Hesburgh

“Half of the American people never read a newspaper. Half never voted for president. One hopes it is the same half.” Gore Vidal

“Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don’t vote.” William E. Simon

“It’s very important to vote. People died for this right.” Lenny Kravitz

“If you’re listening to a rock star in order to get information on who to vote for, you’re a bigger moron than they are.” Alice Cooper