Foundations of DemocracyFoundations of Democracy

Influences for Our Own GovernmentInfluences for Our Own Government

Democracy ItselfDemocracy Itself

Demos + kratia = “rule by the ruled” or “rule by the people”

Direct Democracy: All vote, numbers added up (think Presidential Election or American Idol)

Indirect Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to vote / conduct business on their behalf

Which type(s) of democracy used in U.S.?

Demos + kratia = “rule by the ruled” or “rule by the people”

Direct Democracy: All vote, numbers added up (think Presidential Election or American Idol)

Indirect Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to vote / conduct business on their behalf

Which type(s) of democracy used in U.S.?

Good Government VocabularyGood Government Vocabulary

Rule of Law: Laws are laws to be enforced What would happen if I inconsistently

enforced lockout? What happens when I consistently enforce

lockout?

Due Process: Citizens can expect to be treated a certain way by the government when arrested, charged with a crime, conducting government business

Rule of Law: Laws are laws to be enforced What would happen if I inconsistently

enforced lockout? What happens when I consistently enforce

lockout?

Due Process: Citizens can expect to be treated a certain way by the government when arrested, charged with a crime, conducting government business

American DemocracyAmerican Democracy

First country founded as a democracy since city-state of Athens

Not an original invention, but an effective compilation

Influences: Greeks (Athenian Democracy) Romans British Constitutional History Judeo-Christian Tradition The Enlightenment

First country founded as a democracy since city-state of Athens

Not an original invention, but an effective compilation

Influences: Greeks (Athenian Democracy) Romans British Constitutional History Judeo-Christian Tradition The Enlightenment

Greek InfluencesGreek Influences

Legacy: Indirect and direct democracy both used in gov’t

Assembly: all citizens could propose laws Council of 500, Board of Generals: executive offices

selected by citizenry Trial by jury (but, had 201 person jury, 1-day trial, no

appeals, no lawyers)Flaws:

Women and slaves not citizens, could not speak in court Foreigners not citizens Conquered and taxed occupied states to finance

democracy

Legacy: Indirect and direct democracy both used in gov’t

Assembly: all citizens could propose laws Council of 500, Board of Generals: executive offices

selected by citizenry Trial by jury (but, had 201 person jury, 1-day trial, no

appeals, no lawyers)Flaws:

Women and slaves not citizens, could not speak in court Foreigners not citizens Conquered and taxed occupied states to finance

democracy

Roman InfluencesRoman Influences

Legacy: 2-house legislature (Counsuls and Senate) All laws written down All innocent in eyes of law Innocent until proven guilty, burden of proof on

accuser Separation of Powers in gov’t

Flaws: No way to select emperors led to civil war

Legacy: 2-house legislature (Counsuls and Senate) All laws written down All innocent in eyes of law Innocent until proven guilty, burden of proof on

accuser Separation of Powers in gov’t

Flaws: No way to select emperors led to civil war

British Constitutional HistoryBritish Constitutional History

Legacy: Magna Carta: limits king’s power, “No Taxation

without Representation” Parliament: Britain’s version of Congress English Bill of Rights: Common Law that all citizens

can take for granted Constitutional Monarchy: King is not above law

Flaws: All reforms intended to help nobles, not average

person

Legacy: Magna Carta: limits king’s power, “No Taxation

without Representation” Parliament: Britain’s version of Congress English Bill of Rights: Common Law that all citizens

can take for granted Constitutional Monarchy: King is not above law

Flaws: All reforms intended to help nobles, not average

person

Judeo-Christian TraditionJudeo-Christian Tradition

Legacy: All equal in eyes of God, can have personal

relationship with God All have responsibilities for actions, to control

oneself, to take care of others Basic religious laws foundation for many of our

current laws (10 commandments) Reformation: Challenged religious monopoly

of Catholic Church, allowed people to interpret teachings of church

Legacy: All equal in eyes of God, can have personal

relationship with God All have responsibilities for actions, to control

oneself, to take care of others Basic religious laws foundation for many of our

current laws (10 commandments) Reformation: Challenged religious monopoly

of Catholic Church, allowed people to interpret teachings of church

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Legacy: Movement in France, Britain that believed

that individuals have right to determine own government

John Locke: believed that people naturally good, gov’t should protect natural rights of “life, liberty, and property”

Thomas Hobbes: believed that people naturally evil; we need king or dictator to keep ourselves in line

Legacy: Movement in France, Britain that believed

that individuals have right to determine own government

John Locke: believed that people naturally good, gov’t should protect natural rights of “life, liberty, and property”

Thomas Hobbes: believed that people naturally evil; we need king or dictator to keep ourselves in line

Enlightenment, Cont’dEnlightenment, Cont’d

Baron de Montesquieu: believed in separation of powers, checks and balances to keep government from being corrupted by single person or group

Cesare Beccaria: Advocated more humane treatment of convicts, no cruel and unusual punishment

Voltaire: Extremely critical of Church, believed in liberty and freedom of speech of all:

“I may completely disagree with what you have to say, but I will die for your right to say it.”

Baron de Montesquieu: believed in separation of powers, checks and balances to keep government from being corrupted by single person or group

Cesare Beccaria: Advocated more humane treatment of convicts, no cruel and unusual punishment

Voltaire: Extremely critical of Church, believed in liberty and freedom of speech of all:

“I may completely disagree with what you have to say, but I will die for your right to say it.”