1. Basic Concepts of Democracy
Chapter 1
Section 3

2. Objective
Identify and Explain the Foundations of Democracy

3. Basic Foundations Worth of the Individual Equality of All Persons
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Necessity of Compromise
Individual Freedom

4. Worth of the Individual
Each individual is important
Can be forced to do things for the betterment of all
Pay taxes
Register for Draft

5. Equality of All Persons
“All Men are Created Equal”
Does not mean:
Right to equal share
Means:
Every person entitled to equality of opportunity
Equality before law
*A person’s race, gender, religion should not stop from anything

6. Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Majority will be right more often than wrong
Not looking for right or best way
Simply searching for what is satisfactory
At same time must respect the minority
Must have chance to become Majority

7. Necessity of Compromise
Decision making must be Give and Take
Compromise to benefit the greater majority
COMPROMISE
Process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests
A MUST in a democracy for 2 reasons
Individual first and = to all others
Very few public decisions have only 2 answers

8. Individual Freedom Not Absolute Freedom
Only exists in Anarchy
One man’s rights ends when another man’s rights being stepped on
Democracies find difficult balancing one’s liberty with one’s authority

9. Objective
Analyze connections between democracy and free enterprise system

10. Duties and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Jury Duty
Serving as a witness
Attend School
Pay Taxes
Register for Draft (Males ONLY)
Obeying Laws
Respect rights of others
Responsibilities:
Voting
Volunteering
Participating in Government
Understand how our Government works

11. Democracy and the Free Enterprise System
Private ownership of capital goods, investments made by private decision, success or failure determined in the marketplace
Based on 4 fundamental factors:
Private Ownership
Individual initiative
Profit
Competition

12. How the System Works Government decisions not necessary
Marketplace makes decisions:
What to Produce
How to Produce
For Whom to Produce
Democracy is a Political System
Free Enterprise is an Economic System
HOWEVER,
The 2 reinforce each other with INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM

13. American Government and the Free Enterprise System
Government participates in the Economy
To Protect the Public
Preserve Private Enterprise
EXAMPLES
Anti-trust laws
Food and Drug Adm.
EPA
Zoning laws
Government Support Systems
Transportation system, public schools, USPS
How much should Government do is part of POLITICS