BellringerWhat does “Democracy” mean to you?

Democracy – a system of government in which the people rule either directly, or through elected representatives

Settling Differences Democratically1. Review the activity description with the

students. Allow students time to silently read the Local Restaurant Guide. (5minutes)

 2. You will use the clickers to vote independently

which restaurant you prefer. Do not reveal to the class the results of this poll. (2 minutes)

3. Next, you will discuss in a small groups which restaurant would be best. We will vote again and discuss which restaurant the class should go to.

4. We will continue deliberation until one restaurant gets at least 50% of the class’ votes.

Debriefing Questions1. 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 settled? What roles did deliberation and negotiation play? Were any compromises reached?

Policies and decisions are made by representatives

Every citizen is involved in everypolicies and decision.

Representatives are elected by the people.

The People

Representative DemocracyDirect (pure) Democracy

Forms of Democracy

What kind of democracy is the U.S?

Examples of Representative Democracy in the US:◦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

Government

by and for

the people

DEMOCRACY

Majority ruleEveryone is equal under

the law

Freedom

Elected representatives carry out the people’s will

Rights of the individual are

protected

Basic Ideals and Principles

Popular Sovereignty - government derives its powers from the consent of the people it governs.

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

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

Personal Liberty - "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and the right of individuals to self-determination.

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.

Rethinking Democracy – Arab Spring

Interactive Timeline:On a piece of laundry line, students

will pin their event in chronological order (or can use tape on the wall).  Each student will read the description of their event as we go over the timeline as a class.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/mar/22/middle-east-protest-interactive-timeline

Rethinking Democracy – Arab Spring

Before Activity:1. What country did your event take place in?2. Who was upset? Why?3. What action was taken?

After Activity:4. How was your event(s) influenced by events other

countries?5. Identify 3 reasons it is so difficult to transition

from an authoritarian government to a democratic one?

6. What do you think politics in the middle-east will look like in 10 years? Why?

Exit Slip

What is “popular sovereignty”?

Extra SlidesActivities, 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, AustriaDate: February 2, 2005

Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit NewsDate: 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 DemocracyParliamentary DemocracyConstitutional Monarchy

LegislatureElected by the

people

PresidentElected by the

people

LegislatureElected by the people

Prime MinisterElected by Legislature

Government LeadersElected by the

people

MonarchInherits ceremonialpower; holds limited

political power

LawsEnacted by legislatureand enforced by the

President

LawsEnacted by elected

RepresentativesLaws

Enacted by electedRepresentatives

People