Democracy is…..

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

DEMOCRACY

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

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 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  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 Basic Ideal/Principle Explanation Example Popular Consent or Popular Sovereignty. Respect for the Individual Equality of Opportunity Personal Liberty Rule of Law

American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)  government derives its power from the consent of the people 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” 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? 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 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 V: Rule of Law  “a government of laws and not of men”  safeguard of liberty

Music & Democracy

Fortunate Son Fortunate Son recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969) 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. 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,

Daylight Again (1982) / Find the Cost of Freedom (1971) Daylight Again (1982) / Find the Cost of Freedom (1971) recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Daylight again 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 God Bless the USA music & lyrics by Lee Greenwood (1984) 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. 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.

Questions for Discussion 1. 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). 2. Analyze each stanza of the song, and discuss how it relates to democracy. 3. What do you think is the overall message of the songwriter of each song? 4. Identify how the songs are different and how they are similar in terms of their perspectives on American democracy. 1. 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). 2. Analyze each stanza of the song, and discuss how it relates to democracy. 3. What do you think is the overall message of the songwriter of each song? 4. Identify how the songs are different and how they are similar in terms of their perspectives on American democracy.

So.... How Democratic Are We? / Elections in the United States are characterized by low voter turnout. State and local elections normally draw 30% of all registered voters (or fewer) to the polls. Presidential elections draw 50% (or fewer) to the polls. In the presidential election of 1992, Clinton won with 40% of the popular vote (less than a majority). Keep in mind that because not all Americans are registered, the number of Americans that actually voted for Clinton is even smaller

So.... How Democratic Are We? / Ninety-five percent of all members of Congress running for reelection will win their seat. Many times members of Congress face little or no opposition in political races. This has led to what some call a "permanent congress" with members serving as many as 30 years

So.... How Democratic Are We?  The cost of running for political office has skyrocketed in the last 20 years. An individual running a Senate campaign must spend a minimum of $22 million to have a chance at winning. Presidential elections cost much more, leading some to claim that political leaders simply must “ buy ” their seat.

So.... How Democratic Are We? / Political consultants are professionals who advise political candidates. They are experts on polling the public and giving advice to politicians based on what the polls say. Politicians often gain an advantage by following this advice.

So.... How Democratic Are We? / Individuals who contribute large sums of money to political campaigns have access to government leaders that ordinary Americans do not. Money influences legislation, which often benefits those who contributed.

So.... How Democratic Are We?  The president of the United States has the power to issue executive orders that have the effect of law. There is no immediate check on this power; in fact, this is an extra-constitutional power of the president. Examples of executive orders include Roosevelt ’ s internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII and Truman ’ s integration of the military

So.... How Democratic Are We? / In the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore won the popular vote by nearly a half million votes. However, George W. Bush won the election after the Florida recount controversy because he received a majority of Electoral College votes

So.... How Democratic Are We? / There are approximately 4 million children in America who lack basic health insurance.