CORE DEMOCRATIC VALUES The building blocks of our
CORE DEMOCRATIC VALUES The building blocks of our government and the rules and liberties of our country.
Core Democratic Values • Core: the central part of anything, the most important part • Democratic: government by the people, directly through representatives • Values: principles and ideas that we think highly of • Examples of values: manner/being polite, compassion/helping others, faith or religion, good sportsmanship, education, hard work, loyalty
So what are the Core Democratic Values? 1. Individual Rights : Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness 2. Common Good 3. Justice 4. Equality 5. Diversity 6. Truth 7. Popular Sovereignty 8. Patriotism 9. Rule of Law
Individual Rights “Life” Definition: An individual has the right to life, except in extreme cases, such as when a person is killed when threatening the life of someone else.
Individual Rights “Liberty” Definition: A citizen has the right to act, think, and believe as he/she wants without government interference, freedom of ideas, speech, religion, press, privacy and many others.
Individual Rights “Pursuit of Happiness” Definition: A person has the right to find happiness in his/her own way as long as he/she does not infringe on the rights of others.
Public Policy Issue #1 Topic: School Uniforms Should students wear school uniforms? 1. State your opinion and restate the question. • I feel that students should or should not be required to wear school uniforms. 2. Use a CDV to make an argument that SUPPORTS your position • The CDV of liberty allows for freedom to choose what clothes students wear to school. 3. Write one or more additional sentences that SUPPORT your position.
“Common Good” Definition: Everyone should work together for the good of all, sometimes people should give up some personal freedoms for the good of a larger group.
Common Good • The right to decide for yourself is not always allowed. • Societies need rules to live in a safe way. • United States citizens vote for government representatives who make laws to protect us from doing foolish things.
Common Good • Often times, laws for the Common Good take individual rights away to protect the public. – Ex: restrictions placed upon private property usage (zoning laws) – Ex: no smoking in restaurants (new law March 1) – Ex: no smoking on school property
Common Good • Provides for safety and security • Provides for the common defense • Promotes domestic tranquility (peace and harmony at home) by having laws that promote equality and justice for all.
Public Policy Issue #2 • Topic: School Rules • Should schools have rules? 1. State your opinion and restate the question. • I believe that schools should/should not have rules. 2. Use a CDV to make an argument that SUPPORTS your position 3. Write one or more additional sentences that SUPPORT your position.
“Justice” Definition: All people should be treated fairly. No group should be favored.
“Equality” Definition: Everyone should get the same treatment regardless of where they are from, their race, religion, or wealth.
“Diversity” Definition: America is a mixture of different cultures blended together with equal liberties under the law.
“Truth” Definition: The government and citizens of the United States should not lie.
“Popular Sovereignty” Definition: The Power of the Government comes from the people.
“Patriotism” Definition: Citizens should show respect and loyalty to our country and the core democratic values.
“Rule of Law” Definition: Everyone, including government officials, must obey the law.
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