1. Session/Concept: Tensions in Democracy
Q of the Day: How are people connected to the structures of Democracy?

2. What You are Exploring Today
Examining tensions within a democracy
Analyzing the Elements of Democracy in relation to structure
Analyzing the relationship between people and democracy and the impact

3. Preamble-Tensions in Democracy
Crisis in Venezuela
Crisis in Nicaragua
We are going to watch a short clip of the crisis in Venezuela where people are starving, no access to electricity, and the country is at the brink of war
As you watch:
Can you identify what is making this situation difficult?
What are the issues with the elections?
What are the most visible impacts on the people of Venezuela?
Crisis in Venezuela
Now we are going to watch a video on the situation in Nicaragua:
As you watch:
Identify the issues in Nicaragua
What are the similarities/differences to Venezuela?
Crisis in Nicaragua

4. Debrief of Venezuela & Nicaragua
With your partner, take the next 2 mins to review all the facts, details, important information in the 2 videos
Individually now, take 5 mins to write an Analytical Statement based on your observations/inferences (something that highlights your thinking about what you have observed)
For example:
The situation in Venezuela & Nicaragua shows…(what you see)
People in both countries are suffering because…(Id causes)
The main issues present in both countries are causing…(Comparing)
Now, turn to the people around you (4 of you) and take 1 min to read your statement

5. Tension Unpacked
Describe with your partner what is going on the picture above- 1 min
Bringing this out to the floor…

6. Elements of Democracy
There are elements of democracy that need to be present in order for it to work in the purest of its form
Next slides will highlight/review some of these elements in parts…
Emphasis on the Structures

7. The Relationship Between People and Democracy
Take 1 min to discuss/review what American Democratic values and processes from last session and your EKs over the weekend
How are values and processes connected to the ideas of Democracy?

8. Democratic Values
Justice
Liberty

9. Democratic Processes
Freedom of Speech
Assembly/Protest

10. Democratic Structures
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Constitutionalism/
Limited Govt
Checks and Balances

11. Debriefing the Structure and the Impact
Take the next 2 mins with your partner to review/discuss values, processes, and structures of democracy
Checking Everyone’s Brains
Do we have the bricks, cement, steel, wood, iron, & the workers to “construct” a strong Democracy based on what we just reviewed?
Then why don’t we? What are we missing?

12. A Long & Painful History of Struggle
We started this experiment in Democracy in 1776, and in 1789 we took a bigger step with the U.S. Constitution
From day 1, our “little experiment” has had to fight for every breath of existence
We do not have a perfect system…no disagreement
But we do have people with the will to FIGHT!
Both Sides to Charlottesville Issue

13. Popular Democracy
We are going to close this session with a short video to help us breakdown where do we go from here:
As you watch:
Write down as many of the “buzzwords” you hear in the video
What is the main message of the video?
Center for Popular Democracy
After the video discussion with your SW partner:
1. What is the most challenging aspect of this work?

14. Closing Reflection To close this session:
Summarize the most important elements or parts to this conversation today (what stood out to you?)
What do you think are the first steps WE need to take to make our democracy “stronger”?
How do you think you can play a role in this?