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Democracy

Democracy. The Ancient Greeks . A form of democracy existed in Athens 2500 years ago. Demos – Greek meaning ‘For the people’ Relied on ‘Direct Democracy’ - Involves the direct and continuous participation in Government. Smug Greeks…. Centuries before they won Euro 2004

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Democracy

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  1. Democracy

  2. The Ancient Greeks • A form of democracy existed in Athens 2500 years ago. • Demos – Greek meaning ‘For the people’ • Relied on ‘Direct Democracy’ - Involves the direct and continuous participation in Government

  3. Smug Greeks…. • Centuries before they won Euro 2004 • “Our Constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people” - Pericles of Athens 431 B.C.

  4. Representative Democracy • Phew…..To save us having to march up to Westminster to vote on every issue, we have Representative Democracy. • Indirect Government by the people through representatives elected by the people.

  5. All those in favour say…. • “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” - Abraham Lincoln Shame he got shot, spoke a lot of sense that chap.

  6. All those against…. • Spoilsports • “Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many, by the corrupt few”. - George Bernard Shaw, 1903 • Democracy is the worst form of Government, except all those other forms which have been tried from time to time - Sir Winston Churchill, 1947

  7. Conditions for Representative Democracy…. • Full Adult Franchise – All Adults have the right to vote • A secret ballot – Avoids intimidation • Regular elections • Fair elections – Each vote should be fair and equal • An effective choice of candidates and parties for voters • A level playing field between rival parties and candidates • A free and diverse media, enabling a wide variety of views

  8. Liberal Democracy • A form of Representative Democracy • Reflects the importance of individual and property rights • Avoid ‘Tyranny of the Majority’ – A dominant party dictating policy • Favours Proportional Representation

  9. Social Democracy • Enhance Social and Economic equality • Comprehensive Welfare system and protection of workers rights. • Germany’s constitution says it’s citizens should be protected by a ‘Welfare State’ • ‘Free Market’ enables wealthy to operate power

  10. Direct Democracy • Enables all concerned citizens to participate equally to form and implement all political decisions • To work the Political community must be small enough to enable all its citizens to meet and discuss issues • Ancient Greece used Direct Democracy

  11. So errr Sir what’s the definition? • Like most Political meanings there is no absolute definition for ‘Democracy’ • There are simply different forms and different attitudes • What about Totalitarian? (Hitler) Pluralist? (People are represented through groups who compete for influence)

  12. Work……oh Sir!!! • Research the attitudes to democracy of the following historical figures….. • Plato • Jean Jacques Rousseau • Karl Marx

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