Principles of Democracy

Types of Government? Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy

Autocracies Power and authority to rule held by one person Principles of Government Autocracies Power and authority to rule held by one person Totalitarian dictatorships (examples…) Monarchies- Absolute & Constitutional (examples…) Pros & Cons… Authoritarian governments fall in this category

Principles of Government Oligarchies Power and authority to rule is held by a small group of individuals (Examples…)

Principles of Government Democracies From the Greek demos (people) and kratia (to rule). Thus ~ rule by the people Too simple & naïve Democracy is a system of government in which people select policy makers so that policies reflect the will of those governed. (explain…)

Principles of Government Two forms of Democracy Direct democracy allows the people the authority to govern themselves directly People make and vote on policies in forums Only exist in small communities today

Principles of Government Two forms of Democracy Representative democracy people select representatives and give them authority to make laws and run the government Also known as: republic, indirect democracy and constitutional republic Still in all, power ultimately rests with the public Legitimacy and Revolution?

Key elements of Democracy: Citizen Involvement System of Representation Rule of Law Electoral System Equality Freedom, Liberty, and Rights Education

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.

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

Characteristics of Democracies Individual liberty Majority rule with consideration of the rights of the minority Free elections Competing political parties

Characteristics of Democracies Individual Liberty Freedom of speech does not give a person the right to scream, “Fire!” In a crowded theater ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Explain…. Remember the social contract, we agree to give up freedom for security and the rule of law. Civil liberties (freedom) is relative not absolute.

Characteristics of Democracies Majority Rule with Minority Rights Minority refers to numerical minority not race Elections are won by the candidate who wins the majority of votes. However, those who hold power should be considerate of the minority because the minority can become the majority. Representative legislatures prevent “tyranny of the majority” (Explain…)

Characteristics of Democracies Free Elections Free and open elections are the cornerstone of a democracy. (Explain…) Amendments 15, 17, 19, 23,24, & 26 have extended voting rights Every vote carries the same weight Candidates are able to express views freely Legal voting requirements are kept to a minimum (Examples…) Ballots are secret (Australian Ballot) (So...)

Characteristics of Democracies Competing Political Parties A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates, win elections, run government and make public policy. Parties give voters a choice and voice. A vote is a statement (Explain…) Parties should clarify issues and educate the public, Parties also serve as watchdogs

Checks and Balances The framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch government from getting too powerful. Example: Congress has the right to pass bills into law, but the president can veto them, which means the bill does not become a law.

More examples If the president vetoes a law, the Congress can override his veto by a 2/3 majority. The Supreme Court can say that any law is unconstitutional. The law no longer exists.

Federalism The power of government is also split between the states and the federal government. This is called Federalism. If the Constitution does not have a law, the states can do what they want. State law cannot contradict federal law.

Limited Government The Magna Carta provided the basis for the principle of limited government, in which the power of the monarch, or government, was limited, not absolute. Again- Limited government is: a system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute.

Petition of Right Severely limits the king’s power No more collecting taxes without Parliament’s consent No being sent to prison without just cause No more housing troops in private homes without permission of the owner No more martial law unless at war Again Petition of Right: an appeal

English Bill of Rights Monarchs do not have absolute authority A document that set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do. William II and Mary II are crowned, James II removed (1688) Key ideas: Monarchs do not have absolute authority Monarchs must have Parliament’s consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, or maintain an army Monarch cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates The people have a right to petition the government and to have a fair and speedy trial by a jury of their peers The people should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishments or to excessive fines and bail

Representative Government A government in which the people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government Colonists believed in this

New Political Ideas John Locke Reasoned that in a state of nature (before gov’ts were formed), all people were born free, equal and independent. “Natural Law” Rights to life, liberty and property. If gov’t failed, the people could change that gov’t (social contract theory)

Mayflower Compact Signed in 1620 by 41 men Agree to: Choose their own leaders Make their own laws General Fundamentals The first basic system of laws in the English Colonies Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Plan for government that gave the people the right to elect the governor, judges, and representatives to make laws

Separation of Powers Charles-Louis Montesquieu’s “The Spirit of Laws” The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Student Activity

Student Activity: Stand up straight. Wave arms in the air. Hold left arm out to the side. Hold right arm out to the side. Now Class: what is helping this student perform these tasks.

Student Activity cont. Volunteer: to stand as if he/she does not have any bones or muscles. Questions: What happens to your body when you break a bone? Does your body keep the proper shape? What do bones and muscles do for our bodies? Why are they important? Bones and muscles are necessary to give the body structure and to help the body function properly.

Government Analogy “Bones and muscles are the framework of the body just as The Constitution is the framework of the American government.”

Government? What does the term government mean?

Government Definition Define government as a group of people who are in charge of a city, state, or country that make laws and enforce these laws. If necessary, write the definition of government on the board.

The Purpose of the US Constitution… What is the purpose/why do we have one?

Purpose of the US Constitution If bones give the body shape, the Constitution gives our government shape. If muscles help the body function, the Constitution helps our government function.