1. Lesson Starter In what ways is the USA democratic?
List any criticisms of American democracy you can think of.

2. What will I learn?
To understand why the USA is considered to be democratic
To examine the criticisms of US democracy 2

3. Success Criteria Understand why the USA is considered to be democratic
Examine the criticisms of US democracy

4. US Democracy The USA is regarded internationally as being a democracy
This is because decisions are made by lawmakers who have been elected by the people
The US constitution, as you have learned, protects the rights and freedoms of individuals and ensures that there is a balance of power between the federal government and state governments.
Also, the system of checks and balances is democratic as it means that no one branch of the federal government can be too influential.

5. US Democracy
The USA is democratic because Americans have various rights
These are included in the US constitution
The first 10 amendments of the US constitution are known as the Bill of Rights
The following slides outline some of these amendments which show that the USA is democratic…for each of these amendments, write down the basic meaning in your own words

6. First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

7. Second Amendment
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

8. Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

9. Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

10. Sixth Amendment
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

11. Criticisms of US Democracy
Although regarded as democratic, there are many criticisms of US “democracy”.
The following slides identify some of these criticisms…

12. Criticisms of US “Democracy”
Voter apathy – low turnout
Difficulties with voter registration
Lack of choice of political parties
Criticisms of US Democracy
Freedom of speech - Treatment of Edward Snowden
Campaign Finance – corrupt?
Illegal wars – Iraq?

13. Voter Registration
Like in the UK, Americans must be registered if they want to vote in elections
Sometimes this can be difficult and so many potential voters are unable to vote
Only 51% of Hispanic potential voters are registered in the USA
This may be due to language barriers as Spanish rather than English is some people’s first language
This is certainly a limitation of democracy in the USA as many Americans are unable to vote.

14. Lack of choice of parties
There are only 2 main parties in the USA – the Republicans and the Democrats (a “two party system”)
This means that in most US elections there are only two real candidates – one from each party.
This does not offer the US voter much choice and because these parties are so dominant it could be argued that it is undemocratic.
Third strongest party is the Libertarian Party – not a force in US politics.
Some smaller groups have broken from the main parties so that their different views can be heard, for example the Tea Party group is a right-wing group associated with the Republican Party.

15. Campaign Finance – Corrupt?
Campaign finance is a controversial issue in the US
This is about the money which the Democrats and Republicans raise in order to fund their campaigns.
Especially significant in presidential elections
In the 2012 election, President Obama raised $1.2 billion for his campaign and his rival Mitt Romney raised $1.18 billion.
This suggests that you can “buy your way” into the White House…which is undemocratic.

16. Campaign Finance – Corrupt?
Also, the two parties receive huge donations from individuals and companies.
Sometimes the Republican Party are accused of being “too cosy” with big Oil Companies like Shell.
In 2010, the big oil companies in the US donated £21.8 billion to the Republican Party alone.
This suggests that companies are expecting something back in return so are bribing politicians to make laws which favour oil companies.

17. Illegal wars - Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq, authorised by US President George Bush, has since been criticised for being an illegal war.
The invasion was not authorised by the United Nations (UN) and so America broke international law by getting involved.
Hundreds of American soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict since 2003 but perhaps they should never have been sent there.
It could be argued that this is a limitation of US democracy as American citizens have been sent to fight and die in a war which many Americans think should never have taken place.

18. Treatment of Edward Snowden – Freedom of Speech?
In 2013, a computer specialist called Edward Snowden who worked for the CIA leaked classified documents to the press.
It has been called the most significant leak of classified material in US history
He gave documents to newspapers such as the Washington Post which showed that the US government had a global surveillance operation where millions of people’s telephone calls, s and internet activities were being monitored and recorded.
Many people criticised him for breaking US law but others see him as a hero because he informed the public about things the government were doing that he thought were wrong.
It could be argued then that a limitation of US democracy is that the government is able to keep secrets from the public and prosecute anyone that reveals them – against freedom of speech?
Snowden fled to Russia where he now lives and will almost certainly go to prison if he ever returns to the USA

19. Voter apathy – low turnout
It could be argued that democracy is limited in the US because millions of Americans do not bother to vote.
Only 57.5% of Americans voted in the 2012 Presidential election.
It could be argued that this election was not fully representative of the American public.
The reasons for not voting may be because of voter apathy (not caring) and also because of the language barrier that Hispanic voters are faced with.
In addition, many Americans see politicians as corrupt and do not think their vote will change anything.
Turnout in local elections and state elections is significantly lower in many states such as Hawaii.
Perhaps this is a limitation of US democracy as not all Americans actually take part.

20. Democratic Undemocratic
Rights guaranteed in Constitution (Bill of Rights)
Freedom of speech – Edward Snowden, CIA spying on citizens
Able to vote for representatives in elections at local, state and federal level. E.g. 1 million posts from president to dogcatcher
Launching illegal wars? Iraq 2003 – not sanctioned by UN. Many US citizens dead or injured
Right to protest – pressure groups…e.g. the NRA. Allowed to criticise government
Two party system – Only worth voting Democrat or Republican
Right to a fair trial – legal rights in court. e.g. right to an attorney
Patriot Act – police/FBI can hold suspected terrorists without charge for 90 days – against civil liberties? Human rights? Unconstitutional?
Anyone (of age) can stand as a candidate in elections…male, female, black, white etc…
Voter apathy – turnout is very low (58% in 2012 Presidential election) – people don’t care about government – don’t think voting makes a difference?
Checks and balances…balance of power. No one part of federal government becomes too powerful
Need money to become president or representative – no presidents from poor backgrounds. Campaign finance.
Freedom of religion, assembly etc…
Corruption – e.g. oil companies/private health care donations to Republican Party. Representatives “bought” by companies – get “cosy” jobs after leaving politics

21. I can… Understand why the USA is considered to be democratic
Examine the criticisms of US democracy