BASIC IDEAS OF DEMOCRACY

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BASIC IDEAS OF DEMOCRACY

• A Positive Lecture Experience Brought To You By
  Mr. Haskell

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The United States government is a democracy. It
is based on the following set of basic beliefs
that most Americans share.

• BASIC IDEAS OF DEMOCRACY
• Individual freedoms are very important.
• Compromise is necessary.
• The majority should rule with respect for
  minority rights.
• All people should be treated as equals.
• Every person has fundamental worth and dignity.

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• I. Worth of the Individual
• A. In a democracy every person is important.
• B. We must respect and sacrifice for others. ie.
  We pay taxes for services used by the group.
• II. Equality of All Persons
• A. Thomas Jefferson said, "All men are created
  equal." This does not mean we all have the same
  abilities. It means we all deserve an equal
  opportunity for success and be treated the same
  under the law.

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• III. Need for Compromise
• A. the people in a democracy make a decision
  through compromise.
• B. Compromise blends different views. Each side
  gives and takes to find a position that most
  people can accept.
• C. Democracy places the highest value on the
  right to freely express ideas.
• D. Compromise is necessary for making most
  decisions in a democracy.

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• IV. Majority Rule and Minority Rights
• A. In a democracy it is believed that the
  majority of the people will make the correct
  decisions more often than the incorrect ones.
• B. The majority must be willing to listen to the
  minority.
• C. The minority has the right to criticize.
• D. It can also organize to try and become the
  majority or try to sway the majority's opinion
  about issues.

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• V. Individual Freedom
• A. Democracy gives freedom to each person.
• B. Although, the rights of others limit the
  rights of each person.
• C. Individual freedom is not complete. Complete
  freedom would result in anarchy, or the total
  lack of government.
• D. Without government the strong would quickly
  rule the weak.
• E. A democracy attempts to balance freedom and
  authority.

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