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Basic Concepts of Democracy

Basic Concepts of Democracy. Definition. Democracy derives from the ancient Greek, “ demokratia ”: demos = the people kratien = to rule. Worth of the individual. Foundations of Democracy. Worth of the Individual Each individual is a separate distinct being

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Basic Concepts of Democracy

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  1. Basic Concepts of Democracy

  2. Definition • Democracy derives from the ancient Greek, “demokratia”: • demos = the people • kratien = to rule

  3. Worth of the individual

  4. Foundations of Democracy • Worth of the Individual • Each individual is a separate distinct being • The welfare of one or a few individuals may be subordinated to the interest of the many • Taxes • Draft • Serves interests of the many INDIVIDUALS

  5. Equality of all individuals

  6. Foundations of Democracy • Equality of All Persons • “all men created equal” • Equal opportunity • Equality before law • NOT equal conditions

  7. Majority Rule, Minority right

  8. Foundations of Democracy • Majority Rule, Minority Rights • Popular will rules…but what is it? A majority • Democracy’s argument • A majority of the people will be right more often than wrong • Can be seen as trial and error • SATISFACTORY solutions • NOT “right” or “best” • Always room for improvement • Minority protected, otherwise they’re destroyed

  9. Compromise

  10. Foundations of Democracy • Necessity of COMPROMISE • Give and take, blending competing views • Individuals first, all equal, so compromise necessary • Few questions have only two sides • Compromise is • A process, not an end • Not always good, not always necessary

  11. Individual Freedom

  12. Foundations of Democracy • Individual Freedom • Can’t have COMPLETE individual freedom • Free to do whatever you want unless it affects freedom of others • “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” JFK • BALANCE • Rights of one individual vs. rights of another • Freedom for individual vs. rights of society • Liberty vs. authority

  13. REVIEW • NAME THE FOUNDATION BASED ON THE IMAGE….

  14. Worth of the individual

  15. Equality of all individuals

  16. Majority Rule, Minority right

  17. Compromise

  18. Individual Freedom

  19. Foundations of Democracy • Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person • A respect for the equality of all persons • A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights • An acceptance of the necessity of compromise • An insistence upon the widest possible degree of freedom

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