Democracy

1
Democracy

• Authority from the People

2
Defining Democracy

• A government where the citizens choose leaders to
  make laws and decisions for them.
• Citizens do not directly make decisions, but have
  a voice in choosing those who do make decisions.

3
Background

• The idea of democracy was a radical concept for
  Ancient Greece of 500 B.C. For over 500 years the
  Greek city-states had been ruled by
  oligarchies--small groups of aristocratic men who
  made all major decisions for the city-state. The
  Athenian democratic ideal developed methodically,
  commencing with the great law-giver, Solon, in
  594 B.C.

4
Background cont

• In Greece foreign males and servants/slaves, as
  well as women, were denied a part in the
  governing process. Only those males age 18 and
  over whose ancestors had been citizens of Athens
  were given the right to vote.
• In most Democracies today all citizens are given
  the opportunity to participate in all parts of
  the Democratic process.

5
Forming a Democracy

• Democracies form when the citizens become so
  frustrated with the totalitarian government they
  are living under that they rebel.
• It is a long and involved process for those who
  want change. They must take all opinions and
  concerns into account.
• 2 examples are The U.S. and France. In both cases
  nationalism played an important role.

6
Democracy in the United States

• Colonists became frustrated with the English
  Monarchys taxation, and limitation of rights and
  rebelled (Tea Party, Declaration, etc).
• Colonists declared their independence from
  England and openly rebelled in 1776.
• Led by George Washington the Continental Army won
  the Revolution in 1783.

7
Nationalism in America

• Ideology Freedom, Liberty, Justice for all
• Propaganda Newspaper-Ben Franklin,
  Federalists/Anti-federalists, Pamphlets-Thomas
  Paine, etc.
• Government Democratic Republic
• National Identity American via George
  Washington, Flag

8
Democracy in France

• By 1789 French citizens were fed up with the
  Monarchys weak kings, financial troubles,
  unequal treatment of citizens.
• Many were inspired by the success of the American
  Revolution.
• July 14, 1789 the French took the Bastille Prison
  as an act of rebellion against Louis XVI,
  starting the French Revolution.

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Nationalism in France

• Ideology Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood.
• Propaganda Newspapers and pamphlets-Jean Paul
  Marat, Art-Jacques-Louis David.
• Government Republic
• National Identity French via Bastille, Napoleon.

10
Maintaining Democracy

• Written Documents protecting Individual Rights.
• Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of the
  Rights of Man (France)
• Exercising rights including
• voting, speech, assembly, religion, arms, etc.
• Defending it for others.
• Economic sanctions, talks, war
• Cooperation/Compromise
• Putting the common good before ones own
  interests.

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The Hardest Part of Democracy-US