DEMOCRACY What is democracy The prefix demos means
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DEMOCRACY ?
What is democracy? • The prefix demos means PEOPLE. • Democracy can be defined as a political system where the PEOPLE have power to elect leaders that will represent them and their beliefs, in the making of political decisions. • In simple terms, a democracy is a
Origins & development of democracy
development of democracy • • • The first known democracy was in Greece Here the elders of the city would gather at the Acropolis to vote on important matters Democracy has evolved since then and it now takes on different forms in different countries
Other political systems AUTOCRACY/DICTATORSHIP – here one person or political entity has all the political power (power is not shared) COMMUNISM – here the state has total political and economic power (All means of production are controlled by the state)
AFRICA’S democracy • • FIRST DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS in 1994 All citizens over 18 could vote for the first time (Even prisoners) The CONSTITUTION is the foundation of South Africa’s democracy. The CONSTITUTION outlines how South Africa’s democracy must operate: it confirms the rights of
of democracies • • • The USA is an example of a ‘developed’ democracy Power is spilt between TWO political parties: The Democrats and the Republicans Having only TWO parties has its advantages. Can you think of what they might be?
AFRICA’S democracy
