1. Basic Concepts of Democracy

2. Democracy is not inevitable…
Democracy doesn’t exist just because Americans think it’s the best form of government.
It exists because the American people believe in the basic values that democracy has to offer.
The American concept of democracy rests on:
1. A recognition of the worth of each person
2. A respect for equality of all persons
3. A faith in majority rule/protection of minority rights
4. An acceptance of compromises
5. A belief in individual freedom

3. Worth of the Individual
A general rule of thumb, the worth of the individual is of overriding importance in democratic thought. Regardless of an individual station in life, all people are valued.
Sometimes the welfare of one or a few may have to supersede the interests of the many.
Example – when we are forced to pay taxes or obey street laws, that doesn’t serve the interests of many…. But it protects and serves the many, who as individuals, make up our society as a whole.

4. Equality of All Persons
The birth of our nation spawned the concept that “all men are created equal”(Jefferson, Declaration of Independence); however we know that our history has demonstrated that equality hasn’t existed for all, all of the time.
However, as a fundamental belief – democracy supports (1) equality of opportunity and (2) equality before the law.
As such, our Constitution aims to protect these things – no arbitrary reasons can prevent equality (race, religion, sex, etc.)

5. Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Democracy argues that a majority of the people will be right more often than they will be wrong, and that same majority will be right more often than will any one person or smaller group.
That doesn’t mean that the majority always makes the best decision on public matters – but they are usually, more or less, satisfactory.
A majority can make mistakes (they happen!) – but they can work together to find a solution.
The majority also must work together to protect the rights of the minority, listen to their arguments, hear their objections, bear their criticisms and welcome any suggestions they may have.

6. Compromise
In a nation as large as this, with the varying perspectives and beliefs, compromises are inevitable.
People must be willing to give up a little of what they want in order to achieve most of what they’re hoping for.
Compromise is an essential part of the democratic process. It put the individual first and recognizes the majority in the end. It is a process that achieves majority agreement.

7. Individual Freedom
Democracy does not issue complete freedom to the individual – total freedom only exists in a state of anarchy. But each individual can enjoy as much freedom as they choose too, without infringing on the rights of others.
“Your rights end where someone else’s rights begin”
In order for democracy to be effective, individual freedoms must be balanced against the safety of the masses. There has to be liberty and authority, simultaneously.

8. Democracy & Free Enterprise
The deep-rooted belief in freedom carries over to our economic system.
We have a free enterprise system which means the individuals own the factors of production and they make the decisions about what to make, how much to produce and who will receive the goods/services.
These decisions are answered by the law of supply and demand. What does this tell us?
Not all governments relinquish this much economic freedom. Capitalism in America, however, is an important function of both our government and our economy.
The government does get involved though – we have a mixed economy (the individuals make the decisions, but the government’s job is to regulate and protect businesses and workers)