Chapter 2 Democracy in America

Evolution of American Democracy Democracy must contain the following: Dignity of individuals Equal protection under the law Decisions made by majority rule Opportunity for each individual to participate in decision making One person one vote If the principles of democracy are unjust then civil disobedience maybe used to challenge the law. Civil disobedience being expressed (video)

Evolution of American Democracy Natural Law – a doctrine that says society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are a part of nature Introduced by Aristotle in 384 BC Newton introduced self government 1642 based on science and reason

Evolution of American Democracy Locke and Hobbes developed Social Contract Theory People are free and equal by God given rights and each person is required to give consent to be governed Hobbes believed that a single ruler would be better than no ruler – Locke disagreed Locke believed that government’s job was to preserve the private property of the citizens Locke’s work was used by Thomas Jefferson to draft the Constitution

Politics in America Politics = who gets what, when, where, and how Government = legitimately uses force to carry out decisions

A Land of Law, Not of People Constitution limits government intervention First Amendment guarantees freedom of Religion, speech, press, assembly, petition.– beyond the reach of government In order to keep a lawless society we grant governments the ability to secure peace and self-preservation. Can the government become to strong and trample on the liberties?

A Foreign Eye on Democracy Alexis de Tocqueville, French Philosopher visited America Wrote a book, Democracy in America America sets an example for the world in how a democracy should work

Direct and Representative Democracy Direct Democracy People govern themselves, vote on policies and laws and live by majority rule America is not a direct democracy Representative Democracy Elected representatives make decisions for the people America is a representative democracy