Agenda Tues 9/6 & Wed 9/7
Rap #7: Welfare State
Preamble Quiz
Foundations of Democracy
Chapter 1 Review
HW: pg 24 #1-12, 17,18, 20
Prepare for Chapter 1 Quiz
Rap #7: Welfare State
“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.”
--Abraham Lincoln
Basic Concepts of Democracy
Chp 1 Sec 3
Democracy
Democracy exists because of the
assumption of basic principles
Democracy is not a common form of
government and is dependent upon
certain concepts
“Democracy is the recurrent
suspicion that more than
half of the people are right
more than half of the time.”
--E.B. White
The 5 Foundations
of Democracy
1. Fundamental worth of the individual
Democracy insists that each person’s worth and
dignity be recognized and respected by all other
individuals, and by society, at all times.
2. Equality of all persons
equality of opportunity & equality before the law
Fundamental Worth of the
Individual
Each person no matter what their job,
class, gender, race is an individual and
should be respected
How is this different than in a monarchy or
communist system?
Equality of all Persons
This is related to the worth of the individual
As individuals we are all equal
This is the one we have had the most trouble
with!
This does not mean we are all the same
but are privy to the same opportunities!
Ex: The right to pass or fail
The 5 Foundations of
Democracy
3.Majority rule and minority rights
The majority must always recognize the right of
any minority to become, by fair and lawful means
the majority.
The majority must be willing to listen to a
minority’s argument, to hear its objections, to
bear its criticisms, and to welcome its
suggestions.
Majority Rule and Minority Rights
If the power is in the hands of the people
then they make the decisions
Decisions are not unanimous but based on
the desire of the majority
Because the majority has the power they
must take special care to not discriminate
or oppress minorities
Ex: The majority cannot decide to unlawfully
prison the minority
The 5
Foundations
of Democracy
4.Necessity of Compromise
Not all compromises are good.
Puts the individual first but insists that that
each individual is equal.
5. Individual freedom
Absolute freedom would end in anarchy.
Necessity of Compromise
All opinions are considered equal, just as
individuals are considered equal
Because of this assumption of equality
there has to be a give and take or
compromise
Without compromise the country would
never make any decisions
Some things are above compromise
Ex: Freedom for all US citizens
Individual Freedom
In a democracy there can never be
complete freedom… that would be
anarchy and was forfeited under social
contract theory
You are free to do the things that don’t
effect others
A democratic government must find the
balance between freedom and authority
References
McClenaghan, W. (2006). Magruder’s
American Government. Boston, MA:
Prentice Hall.