1. What does “Democracy” mean to you?
Bellringer
What does “Democracy” mean to you?

2. Democracy – a system of government in which the people rule either directly, or through elected representatives

3. Settling Differences Democratically
1. Review the activity description with the students. Allow students time to silently read the Local Restaurant Guide. (5minutes) 2. You will use the clickers to vote independently which restaurant you prefer. Do not reveal to the class the results of this poll. (2 minutes) 3. Next, you will discuss in a small groups which restaurant would be best. We will vote again and discuss which restaurant the class should go to. 4. We will continue deliberation until one restaurant gets at least 50% of the class’ votes.

4. Debriefing Questions
1. What were the initial restaurant choices of the students? How many different choices? Was there a majority, a plurality at the outset? 2. Did students take a straw vote to find out who favored what? 3. Were there efforts, then, to persuade one another to agree on certain restaurants? Were these arguments made on the merits, such that a particular restaurant had better food, better service, etc.? 4. Did negotiations take place among proponents of one restaurant or another? Were any compromises struck? Was it possible to compromise in this activity? 5. How was the decision as to where to eat made? By a series of votes? One vote? A majority vote? Otherwise? 6. Why did the minority agree to go along with the majority? 7. How did students feel about the process and settlement? Was the process fair? Was the settlement fair? 8. Ask the students to suggest other instances from their own experience where differences had to be worked out by democratic means. What were the differences? Why did they have to be settled? What roles did deliberation and negotiation play? Were any compromises reached?

5. Forms of Democracy Direct (pure) Democracy Representative Democracy
The People
Representatives are elected by
the people.
Every citizen is involved in every
policies and decision.
Policies and decisions are
made by representatives

6. What kind of democracy is the U.S?
Examples of Representative Democracy in the US:
We Vote! The President, Senate, House of Representatives, and literally 1000’s of other government officials are elected by the people.
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.
Recall: a procedure whereby the voters can remove an elected official from office
Just examples – referendum and recall aren’t on the test.

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

8. Basic Ideals and Principles
Popular Sovereignty - government derives its powers from the consent of the people it governs.
Respect for the Individual - every individual has the potential for common sense, rationality and fairness and are entitled to "certain unalienable rights."
Equality of Opportunity - "all men are created equal," but what kind of equality? Economic, political, legal, social?
Personal Liberty - "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and the right of individuals to self- determination.
Rule of Law – “a government of laws and not of men” safeguard of liberty.
People Power
Golden rule
No favorites
Freedom
Limited government

9. Option 1: So, How Democratic Are WE?
Read each statement and decide if it represents an example of the democratic process or not, and then write a brief rationale for this position.
Based upon these scenarios, what generalizations can you make about American democracy?
Is it ok that democracy in the U.S. is sometimes inconsistent or messy? Defend your answer.

10. Rethinking Democracy – Arab Spring
Interactive Timeline:
On a piece of laundry line, students will pin their event in chronological order (or can use tape on the wall).  Each student will read the description of their event as we go over the timeline as a class.
2011/mar/22/middle-east-protest- interactive-timeline

11. Rethinking Democracy – Arab Spring
Before Activity:
What country did your event take place in?
Who was upset? Why?
What action was taken?
After Activity:
How was your event(s) influenced by events other countries?
Identify 3 reasons it is so difficult to transition from an authoritarian government to a democratic one?
What do you think politics in the middle-east will look like in 10 years? Why?

12. What is “popular sovereignty”?
Exit Slip
What is “popular sovereignty”?

13. Extra Slides
Activities, political cartoons, added info not pertinent to the test.

14. Extra Activity: School of Rock
Look at the lyrics for the songs Fortunate Son recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Daylight Again/Find the Cost of Freedom recorded by Crosby, Stills and Nash and Young, and Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA.
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.

15. Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria
Questions to Discuss:
Describe the context of the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
Identify and discuss the cartoonist's message. What bias(es) can you detect?
Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
What does this cartoon say about democracy?
Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria
Date: February 2, 2005

16. Describe the context of the political cartoon (Who. What. When. Where
Identify and discuss the cartoonist's message. What bias(es) can you detect?
Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
What does this cartoon say about democracy?
Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News
Date: February 1, 2005

17. Did You Know…
In ancient Athens, only adult male citizens who had completed their military training as ephebes had the right to vote.

18. More on Representative Democracies
Presidential Democracy – people elect a legislature and a president who make and enforce laws.
Parliamentary Democracy – people elect a legislature who in turn elects a prime minister.
Constitutional Monarchy – people elect government leaders. Monarch has ceremonial power.

19. Another Way to Look at It.
Systems of Representative Democracy
Another Way to Look at It.
Presidential Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
People
Government Leaders
Elected by the
people
Legislature
Elected by the
people
Legislature
Elected by the people
Monarch
Inherits ceremonial
power; holds limited
political power
President
Elected by the
people
Prime Minister
Elected by
Legislature
Laws
Enacted by legislature
and enforced by the
President
Laws
Enacted by elected
Representatives
Laws
Enacted by elected
Representatives