Democracy (unit 1)

Referendum (Direct democracy)

Legislature submits a proposed law to a popular vote by the citizens (voters) during an election

Also referred to as a "Republic"

Representative Democracy

People elected politicians to make laws for them

Representative democracy

Delegate

a person sent or authorized to represent others (vote by public opinion)

Partisan

a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.

Oligarchy

rule by few

Autocracy

rule by one

Trustee

taken on the role of being the trusted person for their constituency.

Direct (participatory democracy)

- All or most of the citizens participate directly in either holding office or making policy (laws). - Allows the people to directly make laws and govern themselves. (people make all the decisions) - Exists only in very small population sizes. - Town hall meetings (very small towns).

Indirect (representative democracy)

- The people elect officials to make laws, policies, and political decisions for them - Works well in large populations when its impractical to bring the entire population together - Not time consuming and creates professional politicians

Advantages of Indirect (representative democracy)

- Works well in large populations when its impractical to bring the entire population together. - Not time consuming and creates professional politicians.

People of the Indirect (representative democracy)

-Delegate (of the people) -Trustee -Partisan

What are the two types of democracy?

1. Direct (participatory democracy) "pure" 2. Indirect (representative democracy)

Basic Concepts of Democracy

1. Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person. 2. Respect for the quality of all persons. 3. Faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights. 4. Acceptance of the necessity of compromise. 5. Insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom (freedom versus order). 6. Government derives it power and legitimacy from the people.

What is impractical in large populations or countries?

A Direct Democracy -Very time consuming: most citizens do not have the time, information, interest, or expertise to make reasonable choices or political decisions

The founding fathers did not favor which democracy?

A direct democracy (un-educated masses).

What is a democracy?

Aristotle's definition: "rule of the many"

Initiative (Direct democracy)

Citizens write and submit a proposed law to a popular vote by the citizens (voters) during an election after obtaining a required number of signatures

Only works in small towns with small populations

Direct (participatory) Democracy

The referendum best represents which democracy?

Direct (participatory) Democracy

Very time consuming and requires people to be politically educated and informed all the time

Direct (participatory) Democracy