1. Democracy is…..

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

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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Examples of Direct Democracy
recall - A procedure whereby the voters can vote to remove an elected official from office

10. 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

11. American Democracy: Basic Ideals & Principles
I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)
government derives its power from the consent of the people

12. 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”

13. 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?

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

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

16. Music & Democracy

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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.