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. Democracy Definition: Equality in voting Effective participation
A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Citizen control of the agenda
Inclusion