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U is for . . . U.S. Democracy

The U.S. Democracy is one of the last democracies remaining today. It incorporates most ofthe Enlightenment Eras philosophers ideas and also uses parts of ancient democracies to formulate a

functional government that is unique and protects the people. Greece and Rome writings were a greatinfluence, as well as Montesqieu, Roussea, Locke, Beccaria, and Voltaire as these ideas all supportedthe idea of democracy. The U.S. Constitution established three branches of government: the executive,the legislative, and the judicial branch. The executive branch is made up of the President, who executes thelaws. The legislative branch is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. As its nameimplies, the House of Representatives is made up of representatives similar to the Greeks Council of 500.These people vote on bills to be passed. If the bill passes, it is sent to the Senate where two representatives

from each state cast their vote for the bill. If the bill passes the Senate, it goes to the President forapproval. The judicial branch enforces the law and makes decisions. Each of these branches of government

are checks and balances on the other so that none of the branches have more power than the other. Thenotions of human rights, such as freedom of speech and religious liberty, in addition to the rights of people topursue the rights of life, liberty and property are included in its Bill of Rights. The ideals of the U.S.Constitution and the Bill of Rights are the cornerstone of democratic principles.

U.S. democracy is the epitome of democracy. Its form of government provides intenseparticipation and influence of the people since it is the people who elect their representatives in the legislativebranch. The people also elect the representative of the Executive Branch. Although the members of theJudicial Branch of government are appointed, the people have influence over these appointments because theappointments are made by the legislative and executive representatives elected by the people. People also have

the rights of freedom of speech and religious liberty and other rights guaranteed to them in the Bill ofRights.

The U.S. Constitution, the document that created the branches, influenced later political systemsby promoting an equal, fair, democratic government where all people can participate. This became the modelfor governments across the world, including the National Assembly of the French. The NationalAssembly used these ideas to create a slightly watered-down version of the House of Representatives.

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