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1.3 Perils & Promise of Democracy. Discussion. Do you believe Democracy is the best form of government? What if a substantial majority of citizens pass a law through a ballot initiative that adversely affects another group of citizens?
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Discussion • Do you believe Democracy is the best form of government? • What if a substantial majority of citizens pass a law through a ballot initiative that adversely affects another group of citizens? • Should the federal courts be able to overturn a law passed by that same majority?
1.3 Democracy • Direct democracy • ATHENS (Greek city-state) • Representative democracy = Republic • Most modern democracies… U.S.
1.3 Democracy • Does the U.S. have any instruments of direct democracy? • Referendums • Initiatives (Calif.= propositions) • Recall elections • Currently, these exist only on the state level of government Government & Citizenship Timpanogos High School
1.3 Democracy • Can citizens govern? • Uneducated, uninformed citizens • Plato…………. Philosopher Kings • What if the majority is “mean” • Tyranny of the Majority Government & Citizenship Timpanogos High School
Teams • Proposition: The United States should adopt a direct democracy on a national scale • For practical purposes, it would be necessary to limit voting to the big issues only: Abortion, Gay Marriage, Gun Control, etc. • For or Against the Proposition?
Impromptu Debate (Sp2014) • Proposition No.1: The federal minimum wage should be increased to $11/hr. • Proposition No.2: In order to vote, each citizen must take an pass a test • Based on the U.S. Citizenship test
