Principles of

Democracy

Question #1: Discuss this in your groups and come up with a definition.

What is a democracy?

Question #2: How many countries in the world do you believe consider themselves to be a democracy?

ONLY FOUR COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD CONSIDER THEMSELVES NOT TO BE A

DEMOCRACY!!

In your group, create a list of all the key ingredients you would include if you were going to bake chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate Chips

Sugar

Butter/Margarine

Flour

Vanilla

Brown Sugar

Baking Soda

Nuts

Eggs

Milk

So….

What are the key ingredients to a Democracy? In your

group, create a list.

1. Citizen Participation

u Participation is more than just a right- it is your duty

u Examples…

u Becoming informed on issues affecting your nation

u Voting

u Paying taxes

u Joining the military or national guard

u Serving on a jury

u Running for office

How is the U.S. Doing?

u 54.2% of eligible voters voted during the 2016 presidential election.

u In 2010, roughly 2.3 million Americans served in the military

u Less than 1% of the total U.S. population

u 32 million people summoned for jury duty in 2014, only 8 million served.

2. Regular Free and Fair Elections

u In a democracy, elections should be held regularly u (every few years)

u Most adult citizens should be able to both vote and run for office if they choose to do so

u Obstacles should not exist that make it difficult for people to vote/run for office

u Intimidation/threats

u Poll Tax

How is the U.S. Doing?u Elections regularly

u President – 4 years

u Senators – 6 years

u Representatives -2 years

u All citizens of legal age may vote today– Used to be only wealthy, land-owning, white, Protestant males

u Jim Crow laws intimidated African Americans from voting

u Women did not gain the right to vote until 1920

u 18 year-olds gained the right to vote in 1971

3. Accepting the Results of Elections

u Democracies depend on peaceful transitions of power.

u If an election is free and fair, then the results should be accurate.

u In all elections, not everyone will get what they want.Losers of elections need to gracefully accept the will of the people.

How is the U.S. Doing?

u If an election is close, we do have the option for a recount

u “Free and Fair”

u Tampering with election results

4. Political Tolerance(Majority Rule with Minority Rights)

u Democracies make decisions based on what the majority wants/needs

u A democracy should also be concerned with “tyranny of the majority”

u When minority groups lack power

u When the majority tries to destroy the rights of the minority

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Civil Rights Issues

u Black Lives Matter

u Dakota Public Access Line

5. Accountability

u Elected officials are responsible for their behavior.

u Officials are expected to make decisions according to the wishes of the people they represent.

How is the U.S. Doing?

u DACA

u Healthcare

u Immigration Ban

6. Transparencyu The people must be made aware of the actions their

government is taking.

u Examples:

u Press

u Public Meetings

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Biased news

u Smaller government has public meetings

7. Bill of Rights

u Limits the powers of the government

u Lists the freedoms that are guaranteed to the people

How is the U.S. Doing?u Bill of Rights in the Constitution

u Freedom to assemble: Example – Protests over gun rights

8. Control the Abuse of Power

u The government is structured to ensure that representatives and officials do not use the government to their own advantage.

u Agencies can investigate leaders who abuse power.

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Checks and Balances (Three branches of government)

u Investigations into government officials

u Impeachment

9. Economic Freedom

u People can own property and businesses

u People can choose what they want to do for work

u Workers can form and join labor unions

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Laws to protect against monopolies

u Programs to assist with small businesses

u Unions for many professions exist to protect workers

10. Equality

u All people are equal before the law

u The people maintain their freedom to have different cultures, personalities, languages, and beliefs.

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Civil Rights

u Freedom of Religion

u No national language

u Innocent until proven guilty

11. Human Rights

u The rights all people have simply by being a human being

(Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness)

u A democracy should respect and protect such rights

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Bill of Rights

u Amendments to the Constitution

12. Independent Judiciary

u Courts should be fair and impartial

u Judges should not be corrupt or influenced by outside factors or people

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Supreme Court

u State courts

u Appeals system

u Trial by jury

13. Multi-Party Systems

u More than one political party should exist in a democracy to represent the diverse interests and needs within a country

u They give voters a choice of candidates and policies

How is the U.S. Doing?

u Mostly a two party system (Dems and GOP)

u Other parties exist, but do not have a lot of power within the government.

14. The Rule of Law

u In a democracy, nobody is above the law. Everyone must obey the law and will be held accountable if they break the law.

u In a democracy laws are equally, fairly, and consistently enforced.