Basic Concepts of Democracy

1. Basic Concepts of Democracy

2. James Bryce’s Assessment “No government demands so much from the citizen as Democracy, and none gives so much back.” What does democratic government demand from you? What does it give back?

3. Foundations Recognition of fundamental value of every person Respect for equality of all persons Faith in majority rule and insistence upon minority rights Acceptance of necessity of compromise Insistence upon widest possible degree of individual freedom

4. Worth of the Individual • Each individual no matter their position in life, is a separate distinct being • At times welfare of one or a few is subordinate to the interests of the many • Taxes, traffic laws, selective service • Serving the many who as individuals make up a society • Not serving a popular mob

5. Equality of All Persons • Not equality of condition for all persons • Not everyone can be a professional athlete • Not everyone can be rich • Equality of opportunity • Equality before the law • No arbitrary barriers • Race, color, religion, or gender

6. Majority Rule, Minority Rights • Democracy is a giant experiment • Trial-and-error process • Does not search for right or best answer • Searches for Satisfactory solutions to public problems • Majority could take over and crush opposition • Must maintain rights for minority • Place objections and offer advice to the majority

7. Necessity of Compromise Must mix and blend ideas to form a compromise Only way for society to progress in democracy Process to achieve majority agreement

8. Individual Freedom Cannot have complete freedom for the individual Free to do as you please as the freedom of all will allow Freedoms for individual and society difficult to create Proper balance between liberty and authority in regards to government

9. Democracy and the Free Enterprise System • Democracy and free enterprise go hand in hand • Private ownership of capital goods • Investments by private decisions • Success or failure based on competition in market

10. How the System Works • Capitalism • Everything is determined by the market—not the government • Law of supply and demand • Supply of goods goes up, prices go down (and vice versa) • This is an economic system not a political system • The two reinforce one another

11. Government and the Free Enterprise System • Mixed economy • Private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation • Protect the public, and to preserve private enterprise • Many levels of involvement • National, state, and local governments • Sales tax, zoning laws, building codes, pure food and drug

12. Government and the Free Enterprise System • Government promoting the economy • Grants money • Transportation system, scientific research • Postal service, national currency • Government activities • Education, postal service, fire companies, road construction • These are also handled by private industry • So how involved should the government be?

13. Abraham Lincoln The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves—in their separate, and individual capacities

14. Democracy and the Internet • Cyberspace is major part of life now • Should assist in the democratic process • Easier to obtain information • However information is not always reliable • Online elections? • Cannot guarantee the integrity of process • Unlikely to see this anytime soon