1. Defining Democracy a.k.a. Mob Rule Foundations of the US Government II America, Jon Stewart

2. Defining Democracy Do we have a true democracy in the United States? How did the Founding Fathers design the system to preserve/prevent a democracy?

3. Defining Democracy Along the way we will discuss the basic tenants of Democracy How the Founding Fathers were able to merge the ideas of Democracy with Classical Republicanism

4. Defining Democracy But first: consider that nothing is as unequal as equality

5. Defining Democracy What are the basic elements of a democratic form of gov’t?

6. Fundamental worth and dignity of the individual. All persons are entitled to life, liberty, and due process under the law Equality: all persons are entitled to equal rights and treatment under the law Majority Rule: The will of the majority is expressed through elections is fundamental to the American system Fundamental Concepts of Democracy

7. Minority rights: The Constitution of the U.S. protects the rights of the few from oppression Compromise: the structure of the US gov’t necessitates compromise by all sides Individual freedom: All persons are born free, equal, and independent Fundamental Concepts of Democracy

8. Defining Democracy Pliny, a Roman philosopher, echoed Cicero (as he often does, the brown-noser...) about the limits of democracy. Pliny adds: there is nothing as unequal as equality itself. Meaning: though wisdom is not shared by everyone; everyone has the right to vote! nypost.com

9. Defining Democracy “Democracy” is not used in either Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution For framers it meant “mob rule” Madison (Federalist #10) direct democracy flawed b/c no security to property rights Constitutional Democracy - limited power.

10. Activity - Defining Democracy 1) Elections in the United States are characterized by low voter turnout. Mid-term elections draw approximately 30% (or fewer) or registered voters to the polls. Presidential elections draw approximately 50% (or fewer) of registered voters to the polls. This and the fact that we often have more than two candidates for office often means that our presidents win less than a majority of the vote. For example, when President Clinton was elected in 1992 he won the election with 40% of registered voters or about 29% of the population. Does this represent an ideal democracy (yes/no)? Rationale _______________________ 2) Special interest groups are a primary source of campaign funding. Most special interest groups contribute to incumbents (members of Congress who are presently in office), making it difficult for challengers to raise the amount of money that is necessary to have a chance at winning. In fact, on average, ninety-five percent of all current members of Congress (incumbents) win their seats. Does this represent an ideal democracy (yes/no)? Rationale _______________________ 3) Individuals, interest groups and corporations who contribute money to electoral campaigns have access to political leaders that ordinary Americans do not. With this access, they might have the ability to influence the lawmaking process. Does this represent an ideal democracy (yes/no)? Rationale _______________________ 4) The US Senate has 83 males and 17 females and 1 African American. Does this represent an ideal democracy (yes/no)? Rationale _______________________ 5) 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: it is a power outside those given to the President in the Constitution. Virtually every President has used the Executive Order, FDR interned the Japanese Americans through an executive order. Does this represent an ideal democracy (yes/no)? Rationale ________________________

11. Activity - Defining Democracy 5) 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: it is a power outside those given to the President in the Constitution. Virtually every President has used the Executive Order, FDR interned the Japanese Americans through an executive order. Does this represent an ideal democracy (yes/no)? Rationale ________________________ 6) There are approximately forty million in America who work full time jobs yet do not have health insurance. This means that they and their children may not receive adequate treatment for many illnesses (Americans living below the poverty line qualify for Medicare, which is federally funded health insurance). Does this represent a democracy (yes/no)? Rationale _____________________________ 7) There is great inequity in public school systems across the United States. In Henrico County, approximately $8161.00 (2006- 2007) per student per year is spent on education and students have access to the most qualified teachers, modern facilities and the most up to date materials and technology. In other districts, approximately $3,000 is spent per student per year, and students lack qualified teachers, buildings need many repairs, textbooks are out of date and technology is scarce. Does this represent a democracy (yes/no)? Rationale __________________________

12. So How Did The Founding Fathers Engineer A Way To Preserve The Rights Of Man (especially the rights of the minority against the tyranny of the majority?)

13. Here is what the Founding Fathers thought about gov’t abuses of power....

14. Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many. Alexander Hamilton, 1787

15. There are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Benjamin Franklin, 1787

16. From the nature of man, we may be sure that those who have power in their hands... will always, when they can...increase it. George Mason, 1787

17. Today we view republican and democratic gov’t as the same thing. The Founders, however, drew a sharp distinction between the two forms of gov’t

18. For the Founders: - Democracy meant a form of gov’t in which ultimate authority was based in the will of the majority (of course the majority of the people meant the largest classes of people and that meant poor people!) smartgirlpolitics.ning.com

19. For the Founders: - Republicanism meant promoting the public good, the res publicae - “thing of the people.” - Republicanism meant political authority is exercised through the community’s chosen representatives in gov’t thebluevinecollective.org

20. Founding Fathers shared Roman idea of citizens working to promote the common good. Of course that will only work if the citizens all share: - civic virtue (set aside personal interests to promote common good - classically that meant little protection of individual rights b/c it was all about common good) - moral education (G W as Cincinnatus as he gave up personal interest for common good - led the nation) - small, uniform communities (small communities mean you know each other- people shouldn’t be very different in their wealth, religions, or ways of life. Otherwise might develop into factions. To prevent this there should be one established religion)

21. Natural Rights Philosophy Classical Republicanism stressed promoting common good about rights of individual stress rights of individual to life, liberty, property Americans who came to the new land did so for opportunity - they seem to be more like natural rights people rather than civic virtue people. Such restless, ambitious, diverse people are ill-suited for the self-sacrifice of classical republicanism upcomics.com

22. Two men will help resolve the conflict between democracy and classic republicanism: Baron de Montesquieu and James Madison colonista.com

23. He believes to avoid abuse of gov’t power then the gov’t should be divided among three branches… The Baron de Montesquieu

24. whitehouse.gov - because America could not be the small communities of an ancient Greek style democracy, America should have a republican form of gov’t - But the representatives should be elected by a large number of people rather than a small number or a specially favored group - such a gov’t is a democracy b/c it derives it’s power from the people as whole. - this equals a representative democracy James Madison - “The Father of the Constitution”

25. What is the difference between a democracy and a republic? What aspects of the gov’t of the US suggest it is a democracy? What aspects suggest it is a republic?