Review (Chapter By Chapter) What is democracy? Democracy, which derives from the Greek word "demos," or"people," is defined, basically, as government in which the supreme power is vested in thepeople. In some forms, democracy can be exercised directly by the people; in large societies, it isby the people through their elected agents. Or, in the memorable phrase of President AbrahamLincoln, democracy is government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Democracy is indeed a set of ideas and principles about freedom. Characteristics of Democracy 1. Democracy is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all adult citizens, directly, or through their freely elected representatives. 2. Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open to citizens of voting age. 3. One of their prime functions is to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion. 4. Citizens have not only rights, but also the responsibility to participate in the political system that, in turn, protects their rights and freedoms. 5. Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. Two types of democracy 1. Direct 2. RepresentativeDirect The people have a chance to vote individually on every singl issue.Representative The people elect officials who represent them and vote for most of the issues in a Congress.This is fairly similar to the U.S. System, although the U.S. is actually a republic.
Rights and Responsibilities 1. Freedom of speech and expression 2. Freedom of religion and conscience 3. Freedom of assembly, and the right to equal protection before the law.This is by no means an exhaustive list of the rights that citizens enjoy in a democracy. Freedom of speech and expression, especially about political and social issues.Responsibilities 1. Civility 2. Participatioin 3. Patience 4. Rights Democratic Elections"Democratic elections are not merely symbolic.They are competitive, periodic, inclusive,definitive elections in which the chief decision-makers in a government are selected by citizenswho enjoy broad freedom to criticize government, to publish their criticism, and to presentalternatives."Democratic elections are competitive. Opposition parties and candidates must enjoy the freedom ofspeech, assembly, and movement necessary to voice their criticisms of the government openlyand to bring alternative policies and candidates to the voters.Democratic elections are periodic. Democracies do not elect dictators or presidents-for-life. Rule of LawCitizens living in democracies are willing to obey the laws of their society because they aresubmitting to their own rules and regulations.Justice is best achieved when the laws are established by the very people who must obey them. 1. No ones home can be searched by the police without a court order. 2. No person shall be held under arrest without explicit, written charges that specify the alleged violation. 3. persons cannot be compelled to be witnesses against themselves. 4. Cruel or unusual punishments are prohibited.
Three Pillars of Government 1. The Legislative Realm 2. Executive Authority 3. An Independent Judiciary Whether under a parliamentary or presidential system – are the principal forum for deliberating,debating, and passing laws in a representative democracy. Legislators may question governmentofficials about their actions and decisions, approve national budgets, and confirm executiveappointees to courts and ministries.Executive authority in modern democracies is generally organized in one of two ways: as aparliamentary or a presidential system.In a parliamentary system, the majority party in the legislature forms the executive branch of thegovernment, headed by a prime minister. The legislative and executive branches are not entirelydistinct from one another in a parliamentary system, since the prime minister and members of thecabinet are drawn from the parliament; even so, the prime minister is the national leader.In a presidential system, by contrast, the president usually is elected separately from themembers of the legislature. Both the president and the legislature have their own power basesand political constituencies, which serve to check and balance each other.Independent and professional judges are the foundation of a fair, impartial, and constitutionallyguaranteed system of courts of law. This independence does not imply judges can makedecisions based on personal preferences, but rather that they are free to make lawful decisions. Free and Independent MediaAs modern societies , the arena for communication and public debate has become dominated bythe media: radio and television, newspapers, magazines, books and increasingly by newer mediasuch as the Internet and satellite television.The media can also take a more active role in public debate through editorials or investigativereporting, and serve as a forum for groups and individuals to express their opinions throughletters and articles, and postings on the Web, with divergent points of view. Political Parties, Interest Groups, NGOsPolitical parties means that the group of people working for same issues. Political parties recruit,nominate, and campaign to elect public officials; draw up policy programs for the government ifthey are in the majority; offer criticisms and alternative policies if they are in opposition;
mobilize support for common policies among different interest groups; educate the public aboutpublic issues; and provide structure and rules for the societys political debate.A group of persons working on behalf of or strongly supporting a particular cause, such as anitem of legislation, an industry, or a special segment of society.A citizen of a democracy may bea member of a number of private including interest groups that try, in some fashion, to influencepublic policy and persuade public officials of their views. Many traditional interest groups havebeen organized around economic issues; business and farm groups.Interest Groups and NGOsA group of persons working on behalf of or strongly supporting a particular cause, such as anitem of legislation, an industry, or a special segment of society.A citizen of a democracy may bea member of a number of private including interest groups that try, in some fashion, to influencepublic policy and persuade public officials of their views.Many traditional interest groups have been organized around economic issues; business and farmgroups, and labor unions still wield powerful influences in most democratic systems.One of the most striking developments in recent decades has been the emergence ofinternationally based nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). To serve the needs of acommunity, nation, or cause, which may be defined globally, these NGOs try to supplement oreven challenge the work of the government by advocating, educating, and mobilizing attentionaround major public issues. Governments and NGOs frequently work as partners. Civil-Military RelationsIssues of war and peace are the most momentous any nation can face, and at times of crisis.Civilians need to direct their nations military and decide issues of national defense.The military in a democracy exists to protect the nation and the freedoms of its people. It mustnot represent or support any particular political viewpoint or ethnic or social group.Military figures may, of course, participate as individuals in the political life of their country, justlike any other citizens. Military personnel may vote in elections. The Culture of DemocracyHuman beings possess a variety of sometimes contradictory desires. People want safety, yetrelish adventure; they aspire to individual freedom, yet demand social equality. Democracy is nodifferent, and it is important to recognize that many of these tensions, even paradoxes, arepresent in every democratic society.