1. Unit I- Controversy in a Democracy Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective Chapter 2- Facing Controversial Issues Chapter 3- How We See Things

2. Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective  The Meaning of Democracy – demos (the people) – kratia (rule) –“a government by the people”  direct democracy –All citizens take part in making the rules –Ancient Athens  representative democracy –Citizens elect representatives to make the rules –Ancient Rome, U.S.A.

3. Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective  A Democratic Way of Life –Liberty  Freedom  Not unlimited –“fire” in a crowded theater –Equality  “All men are created equal”  theory vs. reality  struggle for equality

4. Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective  Democratic vs. Undemocratic –Authoritarian  undemocratic –Dictatorships  rule by one –Totalitarian  The state aims for total control over all activities of its people –Majority Rule  In a democracy, the majority has a role in making the rules

5. Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective  Democratic (people rule themselves) –India –United States –Great Britain –Sweden –Mexico –Japan  Undemocratic (a dictator or small group rules) –France under Louis XIV –Germany under Hitler –Soviet Union under Stalin –China under Mao Zedong –Iraq under Saddam Hussein –Afghanistan under Taliban –Cuba, North Korea, Burma, Syria

6. Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective  Role of the Individual in Democracy –Willingness to participate  Become informed on public issues  Vote  Tell elected officials how you feel

7. Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective  In a democracy, all citizens have a right to share (directly or indirectly) in making the rules  Democracies are quite different from undemocratic nations  Liberty and Equality are major principles of democracy  Citizens sometimes have to fight to maintain these principles  Individuals must participate in a democracy for it to work well

8. Chapter 2- Facing Controversial Issues  There are many problems in the US today  Solving them involves controversy  As citizens of a democracy, we should take stands on controversial issues  We need to learn to distinguish facts from opinions  The inquiry method is a good way to solve a problem

9. Chapter 2- Facing Controversial Issues  Why Discussion of the Issues is Necessary –Keeps open the chance of agreement –We learn to appreciate different points of view and different possibilities –Formulating and expressing opinions helps individuals gain self-respect

10. Chapter 2- Facing Controversial Issues  Facts and Opinions –Fact  a statement that can be proved true or false –Opinion  a statement that cannot be proved true or false  Opinions reveal a person’s values –Value- sense of what is right or important and what is not

11. Chapter 2- Facing Controversial Issues  The Inquiry Method –Recognize the problem –Formulate a hypothesis –Gather information –Analyze, evaluate, and interpret the information –Reach a conclusion

12.  What do you see? Chapter 3- How We See Things

13.  Things are not always what they first appear to be  People have blind spots and rarely see the whole picture or know the whole story  People see things differently because they have different life experiences  Public opinion is a factor that shapes our views  It is made by a small proportion of the population  Propaganda is often used to gain support for a cause

14. Chapter 3- How We See Things  Count the number of BLACK dots

15. Chapter 3- How We See Things  Look for the Whole Story in a Controversy –we all see things in different ways –generation gaps –blind spots

16. Chapter 3- How We See Things  What is an elephant?

17. Chapter 3- How We See Things  Forces That Shape Our Views –Parents –Friends  peer group –Environment –Nationality

18. Chapter 3- How We See Things  How Public Opinion Influences Us –Who makes public opinion? –Public opinion polls –Influence of Polls

19. Chapter 3- How We See Things  How Propaganda influences Us –Name calling  “Obama is a socialist” –Glittering generalities  “Hope” –Identification  “Ronald Reagan was my friend” –Card stacking  “She voted against veterans benefits” –Bandwagon  “Teachers, police, and firefighters support this bill”” –Transfer  “Real Americans support Palin”