Basic Concepts of Democracy

Democracy

• Gov’t where authority rests with the people– Direct Democracy – Decisions and policies

are made by each member of the state

– Indirect Democracy (republic) – members of the state elect/choose a representative to make decisions and policies

Decision Making Power

Representative

Decision MakingPower

People

People

Equality of All People

• Equal Opportunity

• Equality before the law

Majority Rule – Minority Rights

• The majority will be “right”

• Search for a “satisfactory” solution rather than the “right” or the “best” one

• A trial and error process

• Minority rights must also be recognized and protected

Compromise

• The process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests to achieve majority agreement

Individual Freedom

• Freedom to do as he/she pleases as far as freedom of all will allow