SECTION 3 Basic Concepts of Democracy What are

SECTION 3 Basic Concepts of Democracy • What are the foundations of democracy? • What are the connections between democracy and the free enterprise system? • How has the Internet affected democracy? Go To Section: 1 12 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 3

Foundations The fate of American Democracy rests on the people’s acceptance of certain basic concepts and notions. Go To Section: 1 12 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 3

Foundations The American concept of democracy rests on the people’s acceptance of basic notions: (1) A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person; (2) A respect for the equality of all persons; (3) A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights; (4) An acceptance of the necessity of compromise; and (5) An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom. Go To Section: 1 12 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 3

Fundamental Rights of the Individual • Democracy insists on the worth and dignity of all. Each individual is a separate and distinct being. • Sometimes the welfare of one person must be subordinated to the interest of the many. People can be forced to do certain things whether they want to or not. (Obey traffic signals, pay taxes, go to the military-draft) • When people are forced to do something they often serve the intrest of the many. (Society) Go To Section: 1 2 3

Equality of All Persons • Democracy insists on equality of opportunity, not equality of condition. • Democracy insists on equality before the law. (Everyone must follow) • No person should be held back because of race, color, culture, religion or gender. Go To Section: 1 2 3

Majority Rule and Minority Rights The majority have the “right” to be wrong, since it’s most often right. Democracy searches for satisfactory solutions to public problems. It can be a “trial and error” process. Democracy recognizes that seldom is any solution to a problem so satisfactory that it cannot be improved upon. The majority must recognize the right of the minority, by fair and lawful means, to become the majority. The majority must always be willing to listen to a minority’s argument, to hear it’s objections, to bear its criticisms and welcome its suggestions. Go To Section: 1 2 3

The Necessity for Compromise • Compromise is defined as the process reconciling competing views and interests in order to find the most acceptable position to the largest number of people. A democratic society allows citizens to make public decisions and to reconcile competing views there must be compromise if all are truly seen as equal. Also, public policy questions are seldom presented in two simple sides. Compromise is not an end in itself but a means to reach a public goal. Not all compromises are good, and not all are necessary. Go To Section: 1 2 3

Individual Freedom • Freedom cannot be absolute, or anarchy will result. • Democracy does not and cannot insist on complete freedom. • Anarchy leads to rule by the strongest, best armed and the ruthless. ANARCHY: The absence of government. v American democracy strives to strike the balance between individual freedom and rights of society as a whole. (liberty vs. authority) Democracy insists that each individual must be as free to do as he or she pleases as far as the society will allow. Go To Section: 1 2 3

Democracy and the Free Enterprise System • The free enterprise system is an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods; investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control; and determined in a free market. • Decisions in a free enterprise system are determined by the law of supply and demand. • An economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion is called a mixed economy. Go To Section: 1 12 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 3

Responsibilities and Duties of Citizenship • • Duties Serving on a jury or as a witness Attending school Paying taxes Obeying laws Responsibilties Voting, volunteering, understanding the workings of gov’t Go To Section: 1 2 3

Democracy and the Internet • Democracy demands that the people be widely informed about their government. • Theoretically, the Internet makes knowledgeable participation in democratic process easier than ever before. • However, all data on the World Wide Web is not necessarily true, and the long-term effects of the Internet on democracy has yet to be determined. Go To Section: 1 12 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 3