Democracy is…..

Political Cartoon #1 Title: democracy Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Date: February 2, 2005

Political Cartoon #2 Title: Meaning of Democracy Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News Date: February 1, 2005

Political Cartoon #3 Title: Democracy Shuttle Artist: Stephane Peray, Thailand Date: August 10, 2005

Characteristics of Democracy Majority rule Govt. by and for the people Everyone equal under the law DEMOCRACY Elected representatives carry out the people’s will Rights of the individual protected Freedom

Democracy is …. a system of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected representatives

Direct (Pure) Democracy A form of democracy in which the people as a whole make direct decisions, rather than having those decisions made for them by elected representatives

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

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

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”

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?

American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles IV: Personal Liberty “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” self-determination

American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles V: Rule of Law “a government of laws and not of men” safeguard of liberty

Music & Democracy

Fortunate Son recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969) It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no. Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes, ooh, they send you down to war, Lord, And when you ask them, how much should we give, oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no, Some folks are born made to wave the flag, ooh, they're red, white and blue. And when the band plays "Hail To Th Chief", oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no, Some folks are born silver spoon in hand, Lord, don't they help themselves, oh. But when the taxman come to the door, Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son.

Daylight Again (1982)/ Find the Cost of Freedom (1971) recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Following me to bed I think about a hundred years ago How my father's bled I think I see a valley Covered with bones in blue All the brave soldiers that cannot get older Been asking after you Hear the past a' calling From Armageddon's side When everyone's talking and no one is listening How can we decide Do we find the cost of freedom Buried in the ground Mother Earth will swallow you Lay your body down

God Bless the USA music & lyrics by Lee Greenwood (1984) From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee, across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea, From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA, Well, there’s pride in every American heart, and it’s time to stand and say: I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A. If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife. I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today, ‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away. And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Questions for Discussion What do you think this song is about i.e. what’s going on? (Hint: you may to consider the year each song was recorded and put it in historical context). Analyze each stanza of the song, and discuss how it relates to democracy. What do you think is the overall message of the songwriter of each song? Identify how the songs are different and how they are similar in terms of their perspectives on American democracy.