1. Principles of Democracy

2. Types of Government?
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy

3. Autocracies Power and authority to rule held by one person
Principles of Government
Autocracies
Power and authority to rule held by one person
Totalitarian dictatorships (examples…)
Monarchies- Absolute & Constitutional (examples…)
Pros & Cons…
Authoritarian governments fall in this category

4. Principles of Government
Oligarchies
Power and authority to rule is held by a small group of individuals
(Examples…)

5. Principles of Government
Democracies
From the Greek demos (people) and kratia (to rule). Thus ~ rule by the people
Too simple & naïve
Democracy is a system of government in which people select policy makers so that policies reflect the will of those governed.
(explain…)

6. Principles of Government
Two forms of Democracy
Direct democracy allows the people the authority to govern themselves directly
People make and vote on policies in forums
Only exist in small communities today

7. Principles of Government
Two forms of Democracy
Representative democracy people select representatives and give them authority to make laws and run the government
Also known as: republic, indirect democracy and constitutional republic
Still in all, power ultimately rests with the public
Legitimacy and Revolution?

8. Key elements of Democracy:
Citizen Involvement
System of Representation
Rule of Law
Electoral System
Equality
Freedom, Liberty, and Rights
Education

9. 1) Citizen Involvement
Direct Democracy: Citizens take part personally in deliberations and vote on issues. Citizens debate and vote on all laws.
Representative Democracy: Citizens choose (elect) other citizens to debate and pass on laws.

10. Participation Voting. Political parties and/or interest groups.
Political meetings or public hearings, discussing politics, calling your representative.

11. Characteristics of Democracies
Individual liberty
Majority rule with consideration of the rights of the minority
Free elections
Competing political parties

12. Characteristics of Democracies Individual Liberty
Freedom of speech does not give a person the right to scream, “Fire!” In a crowded theater ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Explain….
Remember the social contract, we agree to give up freedom for security and the rule of law.
Civil liberties (freedom) is relative not absolute.

13. Characteristics of Democracies Majority Rule with Minority Rights
Minority refers to numerical minority not race
Elections are won by the candidate who wins the majority of votes.
However, those who hold power should be considerate of the minority because the minority can become the majority.
Representative legislatures prevent “tyranny of the majority” (Explain…)

14. Characteristics of Democracies Free Elections
Free and open elections are the cornerstone of a democracy. (Explain…)
Amendments 15, 17, 19, 23,24, & 26 have extended voting rights
Every vote carries the same weight
Candidates are able to express views freely
Legal voting requirements are kept to a minimum (Examples…)
Ballots are secret (Australian Ballot) (So...)

15. Characteristics of Democracies Competing Political Parties
A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates, win elections, run government and make public policy.
Parties give voters a choice and voice. A vote is a statement (Explain…)
Parties should clarify issues and educate the public,
Parties also serve as watchdogs

16. Checks and Balances
The framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch government from getting too powerful.
Example: Congress has the right to pass bills into law, but the president can veto them, which means the bill does not become a law.

17. More examples
If the president vetoes a law, the Congress can override his veto by a 2/3 majority.
The Supreme Court can say that any law is unconstitutional. The law no longer exists.

18. Federalism
The power of government is also split between the states and the federal government.
This is called Federalism.
If the Constitution does not have a law, the states can do what they want.
State law cannot contradict federal law.

19. Limited Government
The Magna Carta provided the basis for the principle of limited government, in which the power of the monarch, or government, was limited, not absolute.
Again- Limited government is: a system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute.

20. Petition of Right Severely limits the king’s power
No more collecting taxes without Parliament’s consent
No being sent to prison without just cause
No more housing troops in private homes without permission of the owner
No more martial law unless at war
Again Petition of Right: an appeal

21. English Bill of Rights Monarchs do not have absolute authority
A document that set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do.
William II and Mary II are crowned, James II removed (1688)
Key ideas:
Monarchs do not have absolute authority
Monarchs must have Parliament’s consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, or maintain an army
Monarch cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates
The people have a right to petition the government and to have a fair and speedy trial by a jury of their peers
The people should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishments or to excessive fines and bail

22. Representative Government
A government in which the people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government
Colonists believed in this

23. New Political Ideas John Locke
Reasoned that in a state of nature (before gov’ts were formed), all people were born free, equal and independent.
“Natural Law” Rights to life, liberty and property.
If gov’t failed, the people could change that gov’t (social contract theory)

24. Mayflower Compact Signed in 1620 by 41 men Agree to:
Choose their own leaders
Make their own laws
General Fundamentals
The first basic system of laws in the English Colonies
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Plan for government that gave the people the right to elect the governor, judges, and representatives to make laws

25. Separation of Powers Charles-Louis Montesquieu’s “The Spirit of Laws”
The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

26. Student Activity

27. Student Activity: Stand up straight. Wave arms in the air.
Hold left arm out to the side.
Hold right arm out to the side.
Now Class: what is helping this student perform these tasks.

28. Student Activity cont.
Volunteer: to stand as if he/she does not have any bones or muscles.
Questions:
What happens to your body when you break a bone?
Does your body keep the proper shape?
What do bones and muscles do for our bodies? Why are they important?
Bones and muscles are necessary to give the body structure and to help the body function properly.

29. Government Analogy
“Bones and muscles are the framework of the body just as The Constitution is the framework of the American government.”

30. Government?
What does the term government mean?

31. Government Definition
Define government as a group of people who are in charge of a city, state, or country that make laws and enforce
these laws. If necessary, write the definition of government on the board.

32. The Purpose of the US Constitution…
What is the purpose/why do we have one?

33. Purpose of the US Constitution
If bones give the body shape, the Constitution gives our government shape. If muscles help the body function, the Constitution helps our government function.