1. Government – Chapter 1.3 Lecture
Basic Concepts of Democracy
“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
Winston Churchill

2. American concept of democracy rests on five basic notions:
Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person.
Respect for the equality of all persons.
Faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights.
Acceptance of the necessity of compromise.
Insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom.

3. Worth of the Individual
The importance of individuals is important in American democracy
Each individual is a separate and distinct being
Needs of the Individual are only denied with they come into conflict with the needs of the many.

4. Equality of All People
Jefferson – “All men (people) are created equal”
Not all people are born equal
Not all people have right to equal wealth or position
All people are entitled to:
Equality of Opportunity
Equality before the law
People should not be held back because of:
Race, Religion, Color, Gender
Made progress, still much work left

5. Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Majority Rule – A majority will be right more often than it will be wrong, and that the majority will also be right more often often then it will be wrong
Will of the people is important in democracy
No solution government creates will satisfy all people in society
Minority Rights – the right of any minority to become, it it can by fair and lawful means, the majority
Important to protect the rights and traditions of the minority
Majorities can destroy the minority if they go unchecked

6. Necessity of Compromise
Compromise – the process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests
Government cannon function without compromise
There are never just two sides to an issue
Compromise allows majority agreement to take place

7. Individual Freedom Complete freedom cannot exist in a democracy
Anarchy – absence of a government
Democracy re quires that freedom exist as much as it can without allowing anarchy and maintaining a government
Libertarians
Order vs. Freedom debate

8. Responsibilities and Duties of Citizens
Citizen – One who holds certain rights and responsibilities within a state
Duties – Required of every citizen
Paying Taxes and Not Speeding
Responsibilities – Strongly encouraged every citizen do
Voting in Elections and Volunteering

9. Democracy and the Free Enterprise System
Economic System that emphasizes
Private ownership of capital goods
Investments mad by private decisions, not government directives
Success or failure determined by competition in the market system
Four Fundamental Factors
Private Ownership
Individual Initiative
Profit
Competition

10. How does Free Enterprise Work
AKA Capitalism or Market-Based System
Little or no government regulation – influence in the system
Supply and Demand – consumer demand will set price of goods
US Government Does play a role in our system
Protect the Public
Preserve Private Enterprise
Provide Public Goods
Equality vs. Freedom
Democracy = Political System System
Capitalism = Economic System