Principles of Democracy Objective 1 3 What are

Principles of Democracy Objective 1. 3 What are the key principles of a democratic government?

What is your definition of a Democracy? Democracy is a form of government that allows citizens to govern over themselves

Democracy means • No King • No dictator • No small groups with authority over citizens The people rule!!!

What are the advantages of having a Democratic government? • Citizens decide how they are governed • no one person or group has absolute power • Leaders have less chance to abuse power

Two types of Democratic Government Direct Democracy • Created in Ancient Greece • All citizens rule directly • All citizens have power • All citizens vote on laws and government issues Representative Democracy • known as a Republic • Citizens choose other citizens as representatives • Representatives vote on laws and government issues • The United States has a representative Democracy

The founding fathers of American government decided to create a REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

Why did our founding fathers choose democracy as the form of government for America? ? ? Democratic governments allow citizens to govern themselves rather than having laws forced on them

Why did our founding fathers choose democracy as the form of government for America? ? ? Democratic governments protect the basic rights of all citizens

6 major principles of all Democratic governments: 1. Protect fundamental freedoms 2. Consent of the Governed 3. Limited Government 4. Majority Rule 5. Rule of Law 6. Popular sovereignty

What are your fundamental freedoms? ? • Life, liberty, property • freedom from slavery • Freedom against unfair punishment • Freedoms explained in the BILL OF RIGHTS

Democratic governments have the Consent of the Governed • Citizens are the source of all government power • Citizens give government leaders permission to rule over them.

Democracy believes in Limited government • The authority of the government is NOT all powerful • Government power is limited by citizens & other government branches üChecks and Balances

In a democracy EVERYONE must follow the Rule of Law • All Citizens • All Government leaders MUST OBEY THE LAW!!

In a democracy, decisions are made by Majority Rule • Decisions are made by taking a vote among citizens • Decisions are based on the judgment of the majority (more than ½) of citizens voting • Rights of the minority are still protected in a democracy

In a democracy the citizens exercise popular sovereignty • Sovereignty= the legal authority to rule • Popular sovereignty= the people’s power to choose who has authority to rule