Unit I- Controversy in a Democracy Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective Chapter 2- Facing...

Unit I- Controversy in a Democracy

Chapter 1- Democracy in PerspectiveChapter 2- Facing Controversial IssuesChapter 3- How We See Things

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.


A Democratic Way of Life– Liberty

FreedomNot unlimited

– “fire” in a crowded theater

– Equality “All men are created

equal” theory vs. realitystruggle for equality


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


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


Role of the Individual in Democracy– Willingness to participate

Become informed on public issuesVoteTell elected officials how you feel


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

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


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


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


The Inquiry Method– Recognize the problem– Formulate a hypothesis– Gather information– Analyze, evaluate, and interpret the

information– Reach a conclusion

What do you see?

Chapter 3- How We See Things


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


Count the number of BLACK dots


Look for the Whole Story in a Controversy– we all see things in different ways– generation gaps– blind spots


What is an elephant?


Forces That Shape Our Views– Parents– Friends

peer group– Environment– Nationality


How Public Opinion Influences Us– Who makes public opinion?– Public opinion polls– Influence of Polls


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”

Unit I- Controversy in a Democracy Chapter 1- Democracy in Perspective Chapter 2- Facing...

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