1. September 11, 2012 Democracy Ordinary people want to rule themselves and are capable of doing so. Review Question: Discuss two reasons why the framers created a bicameral legislature? Objective: Students will be able to understand the basic foundations and definitions of Democracy

2. Democracy DIRECT VS. INDIRECT DEMOCRACY –REPUBLIC –US –PRO/CON FOR EACH

3. Fundamental Principles of Representative Democracy

4. 1) Popular Sovereignty Power of People AUTHORITY=people.

5. How to recognize popular sovereignty?

6. a) Government Policies reflect the wishes of the people Government does = what the people want it to do. Do politician always do what we want? –When is this necessary?

7. b) Government Leaders are elected-SMSR

8. c) Elections are Free and Fair No coercion of voters Election rules must not favor Ballots must be accurately counted.

9. d) People must participate in the political process!- Kinds of Participation: 1.? 2.? 3.? 4.? 5.5?

10. e) High Quality information is available-From where?? Access to accurate political information. If True or unbiased information  popular sovereignty

11. f) The majority rules!

12. Fundamental Principle…#2) Political Equality (Bill Gates vs. Mr. Hankel) 14th Amendment--“equal protection clause”--

13. 3) Political Liberty Basic freedoms –WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE FREEDOMS? –1. –2. –3. –4.

14. Objections to Majoritarian Representative Democracy Why democracy is a bad idea!

15. 1) “Majority Tyranny” threatens liberty suppression of the rights of the minority by the majority Founders  prevent majority tyranny EXAMPLES?

16. 2) The people are irrational and incompetent Americans do not care much about politics 1.Poorly informed, unstable in their views, a 2.Not much interest in participating in the political process.