Principles of GovernmentBasic Concepts of Democracy

Focus Your Thoughts . . .

Journal

“Democracy forever teases us with the contrast

between its ideals and its realities, between its heroic

possibilities and its sorry achievements.”- Agnes Repplier

Think about this quote – what does it mean? What are the challenges/limitations of democracy?

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

The American Concept of Democracy

◦ Rests on these 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

5. An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Worth of the Individual

◦Democracy is firmly based upon the belief in the fundamental importance of the individual

◦This is not to say that, at various times, the welfare of one or a few won’t become subordinate to the interests of the many

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Equality of All Persons

◦ “All men are created equal”

◦ Does not insist upon equality of condition for all persons; nor does it insist upon an equal share of worldly goods rather . . .

◦ The democratic concept of ‘equality’ insists that all are entitled to equality of opportunity and equality before the law.

◦ Therefore, no one can be held back based upon arbitrary reasons – color, gender, disability, etc.

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Majority Rule, Minority Rights

◦Democracy argues that a majority of the people will be right more often than they will be wrong.

◦The democratic process does not intend to come up with “right” or “best” answers, it looks for satisfactory solutions to public problems.

◦Democracy insists upon majority rule restrained by minority rights

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

The Necessity of Compromise

◦ Compromise – the process of bending and adjusting competing views and interests.

◦ The goal - to find the position most acceptable to the largest number

◦ Compromise is essential to the democratic process because –

1. In a society made up of many individuals and groups with many opinions and interests it is the only avenue which ensures equality of opportunity.

2. Few public questions have only two sides.

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Individual Freedom

◦ Democracy does not and could never allow for complete freedom

◦ Absolute freedom can exist only in a state of anarchy

◦ Anarchy – the total absence of government

◦ It’s difficult to strike a balance between the human desires for both liberty and authority

“The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.”

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Democracy and the Free Enterprise System

◦ What is a free enterprise system?

An economic system characterized by:

◦ The private ownership of capital goods

◦ Investments made by private decision, not by government directive

◦ Success or failure determined by competition in the marketplace

The Free Enterprise System is based upon four fundamental factors:

1. Private Ownership

2. Individual initiative

3. Profit

4. Competition

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

How the System Works

◦ Often called ‘capitalism’

◦ Does not rely on the government to decide what items are to be produced, how much should be produced, or how much any item should sell for . . . these decisions are made by the law of supply and demand.

◦ Law of supply and demand – When supplies of goods and services become plentiful, prices tend to drop; when supplies become scarcer, prices tend to rise.

◦ Democracy and the free market enterprise system are NOT the same thing – one is a political system, the other economic - but they are both based upon the concept of individual freedom.

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Government and the Free Enterprise System

◦ Free market – the basis of the American economic system

◦ Mixed economy – an economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation.

◦ The government’s role in the economy:

1. To protect the public

2. Preserve private enterprise

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Examples:

◦Economic activities are regulated by government through:

Antitrust laws, pure food and drug laws, anti-pollution standards, zoning ordinances, building codes, etc.

◦Economic life is promoted by government through:

Grants for repairs/research

Public schools, postal service, national currency, city bus systems, fire departments, etc.

Chapter 1.3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Group Activity

Close Up on the Supreme Court“May Congress Limit Access to the Internet in Public Libraries?”

Read the background of the Supreme Court case United States v. American Library Association (Pg. 23)

Summarize both sides of the argument

Answer questions 1-3