Chapter 1
Principles of Government and Politics
Section 2
Introducing American
Democracy

Origins of American
Democracy
 Ancient Greece
• Some people were granted citizenship.
• All citizens had to participate.
 The Middle Ages
 Divine right of kings was established.
• Privileged groups (for example, nobles) were given rights.
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Continuing toward
American Democracy
 Protestant Reformation
• Supporters challenged authority of Roman Catholic
Church.
• Reformers introduced new ideas of power beyond religion.
 The Enlightenment
• Thinkers said reason alone manages the world, controls nature.
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John Locke and the
Social Contract Theory
 John Locke: A philosopher who supported a contract between people and government, not democracy
 Social contract: The idea that people freely exchange some rights for governmental protection
Contract breaks = Government fails to protect people’s rights
People’s consent = Legitimate government authority
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John Locke’s Ideas Influence
Founding Fathers
 Locke wrote while the Constitutional
Convention met.
“When any one, or more, shall take upon them to make laws without authority, which the people are not therefore bound to obey; by which means they come again to be out of subjection, and may institute to themselves a new legislature.” (Locke’s Second
Treatise of Civil Government )
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Characteristics of American
Democracy
 Popular sovereignty: Is based on the idea that people are a source of power to government
 Republican democracy: Uses representation
• Madison: Wanted representative government to cool public passions
• Founders: Wanted representatives to be older, wiser than average citizen
 Limited government: Limits governmental actions
 Rule of law: Says all people must obey law of the land
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Characteristics of American
Democracy
 Common good: The protection of individual rights and liberties while at the same time helping society
 Equality as an inalienable right for all
 Majority rule balanced by protection of minority rights
 Compromise: Give and take in political bargaining
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Your Turn
Which of the following characteristics of American
Democracy are most important? Rank them from 1 to 8, with 1 being most important. a. Popular sovereignty b. Limited government c. The rule of law d. Individual liberty e. The common good f. Equality g. Majority rule / protection of minority rights h. Compromise
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Then versus Now
 Early on, Americans did not always act for the common good.
 Madison designed the republic in reaction to colonists’ self-interest.
 Question: How do we behave as citizens today?
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U.S. Citizens Today
 Political Knowledge
• Most know who is president but do not recognize other elected officials.
 Ideology
• An increasing number call themselves independents.
 Tolerance
• Many accept others without compromising virtues.
 Participation
• Middle and upper classes are increasingly involved in government.
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Your Turn
Does decreased participation mark a civic crisis in our democracy? Choose the answer that best matches your response. Be ready to explain your reasoning.
a. Strongly yes b. Moderately yes c. Undecided d. Moderately no e. Strongly no
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