Democracy is…..

Characteristics of Democracy

DEMOCRACY

Majority

ruleGovt.

by and forthe people

Rights of the individual protected

Elected representatives carry out the people’s willFreedom

Everyone equal under the law

DEMOCRACY IS ….

a system of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected

representatives

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)

II: Respect for the Individual

III: Equality of Opportunity

IV: Personal Liberty

V: Rule of Law

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)

government derives its power from the consent of the people

Example

Voting

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

II: Respect for the Individual each person has the right to

reach their own potential all entitled to “certain

unalienable rights”

Example

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Bill of Rights

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

III: Equality of Opportunity “all men are created equal” What kinds of equality

should the government guarantee? Political? Economic? Social?

Example

Today, we are all born with the same rights

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

IV: Personal Liberty “life, liberty and the pursuit

of happiness” self-determination

Example

Citizens have the ability to determine their own destiny.

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

V: Rule of Law “a government of laws and

not of men” safeguard of liberty

Example

No person is above the law

Direct (Pure) Democracy

A form of democracy inwhich the people as awhole make directdecisions, rather thanhaving those decisionsmade for them byelectedrepresentatives

Examples of Direct Democracy

referendum - the practice of submitting a law to a popular vote at election time. The law may be proposed by a voter's initiative or by the legislature

Examples of Direct Democracy

recall - A procedure whereby the voters can vote to remove an elected official from office