1. Basic Concepts of Democracy Civics - Unit 1 Learning Goal: I can explain the basic concepts of democracy and how the government and economy interact. In a democracy the poor will have more power than the rich, because there are more of them, and the will of the majority is supreme. – Aristotle Warm up: Do you agree or disagree with Aristotle’s assessment of democracy? Why/why not? Give a real-world example to support your view.

2. The Basic Concepts of Democracy: Worth of the Individual Each person has value and is a unique human being Individual decision-making is highly important Social Contract – Individual desires can take a backseat to the needs of the many. Equality of All Persons Equality vs. Equity Equality of Opportunity – people are given equal starting points to work from (education, child health care) Equality before the law – groups may not have laws applied differently to them.

3. The Basic Concepts of Democracy: Majority Rule, Minority Rights A majority is required to make a decision about an issue Minority Rights act as a restraint for the power of the majority Necessity of Compromise Groups work together to find solutions that are acceptable to the greatest number of people. Compromise involves the work of the many Provides the opportunity for participation for more people.

4. The Basic Concepts of Democracy: Individual Freedom “The right to swing my fists ends where the other man’s nose begins.” – Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes Social Contracts exist to protect individual freedom. “Must a government of necessity be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence?” - Abraham Lincoln We must balance protections with Liberty. -Examples: Gun Control

5. Economy in Government Supply and Demand If people demand policy changes, the government will provide it. Gay Marriage Health Care Interstate Transportation and Defense System Role of Government in the Economy Protect the Public Preserve Private Enterprise Patent Law Infrastructure Railroad System (private) vs. Roads (public)