Bell Ringer Day 4 8272014 What does Democracy

Bell Ringer: Day 4 (8/27/2014) What does “Democracy” mean to you?

Today’s Objective: �I can explain the difference between the organization of monarchies, democracies, republics, and dictatorships.

Flashback Question #1 �True/False: Queen Elizabeth is an example of a absolute monarch.

Flashback Question #2 �The South African system of apartheid is an example of what type of authoritarian government? �A). Democracy. �B). Oligarchy. �C). Totalitarian dictator. �D). Absolute monarchy.

Flashback Question #3 �True/False: In authoritarian governments, laws are NOT imposed on the people.

Flashback Question #4 �According to social contract theory, �A). Individuals make a pact with a government in order to lessen craziness. �B). Individuals stay in the state of nature. �C). Individuals take away rights from other individuals. �D). Individuals give up no rights in exchange for nothing.

What is democracy? – a system of government in which the people rule either directly, or through elected representatives. �Democracy

What is Democracy? � 1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. � 2. A political or social unit that has such a government. � 3. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power. � 4. Majority rule. � 5. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

Settling Differences Democratically 1. Review the activity description with the students. Allow students time to silently read the Local Restaurant Guide. (5 minutes) 2. Pass out the restaurant ballot form to all students and instruct them to mark their initial selection. Do not reveal to the class the results of this poll. (2 minutes) 3. Instruct members of class that they will have 15 -20 minutes to discuss their options and reach an agreement. Remind the students that the principal will only pay for dinner if agreement can be reached. 4. Allow the students to deliberate and negotiate. Observe this process and take notes using the Observer Form. These notes will be important in the debriefing. 5. Stop the period of deliberation and negotiation either when an

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

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

What kind of democracy is the U. S? �Examples in the US: of Representative Democracy ◦ 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

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

Basic Ideals and Principles �Popular Sovereignty - government derives its powers from the consent of the people it governs.

Basic Ideals and Principles �Respect for the Individual - every individual has the potential for common sense, rationality and fairness and are entitled to "certain unalienable rights. "

Basic Ideals and Principles �Equality of Opportunity - "all men are created equal, " but what kind of equality? Economic, political, legal, social?

Basic Ideals and Principles �Rule of Law – “a government of laws and not of men; ” safeguard of liberty.

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.

Option 2: Exploring “Democracy” Through Quotations �Interpret the quotation. What point is the author making about “democracy? ” �Do you agree or disagree with the writer? Defend your answer.

Quote #1 �“Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions—it only guarantees equality of opportunity. ” �--Irving Kristol (Editor, Professor at NYU). �Interpret it! �What do you think?

Quote #2 �“Democracy is only a dream: it should be put in the same category as Arcadia, Santa Claus, and Heaven. ” �--H. L. Mencken (American journalist, reported on the Scopes ‘Monkey Trial. ’) �Interpret it! �What do you think?

Quote #3 �“Democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the man who will get the blame. ” �--Laurence J. Peter (Educator, Professor, and theorist). �Interpret it! �What do you think?

Quote #7 �“Democracy means not ‘I am as good as you are’ but ‘you are as good as I am. ’” �--Theodore Parker �Interpret it! �What do you think?

Quote #8 �“In a democracy everybody has a right to be represented, including jerks” �--Chris Interpret it! �What do you think?

Exit Slip �Identify and describe the type of government we have in the United States.

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

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.

Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria

Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News Date: February 1, 2005

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

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.

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