Democracy is…..

Democracy…..

Take a few minutes, and in your notebook/notes write down what democracy means to YOU!

Democracy is ….

a system of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected representatives

Political Cartoon #1 Title: democracy

Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Date: February 2, 2005

Political Cartoon #2 Title: Meaning of Democracy

Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News Date: February 1, 2005

Political Cartoon #3 Title: Democracy Shuttle

Artist: Stephane Peray, Thailand Date: August 10, 2005

Characteristics of Democracy

DEMOCRACY

Majority

ruleGovt.

by and for

the people

Rights of the

individual

protected

Elected

representatives

carry out the

people’s willFreedom

Everyone

equal

under

the law

Direct (Pure) Democracy

A form of democracy in

which the people as a

whole make direct

decisions, rather than

having those decisions

made for them by

elected

representatives

Examples of Direct Democracy

referendum - the practice of submitting a law to a popular vote at election time. The law may be proposed by a voter's initiative or by the legislature

Examples of Direct Democracy

recall - A procedure

whereby the voters

can vote to remove

an elected official

from office

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)

II: Respect for the Individual

III: Equality of Opportunity

IV: Personal Liberty

V: Rule of Law

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

I: Popular Consent (popular sovereignty)

government derives its power from the consent of the people

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

II: Respect for the Individual

each person has the right to reach their own potential

all entitled to “certain unalienable rights”

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

III: Equality of Opportunity

“all men are created equal”

What kinds of equality should the government guarantee? Political? Economic? Social?

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

IV: Personal Liberty

“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”

self-determination

American Democracy:Basic Ideals & Principles

V: Rule of Law

“a government of laws and not of men”

safeguard of liberty

Music & Democracy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqEszt5wG9I

Fortunate Sonrecorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

Some folks are born made to wave the flag,ooh, they're red, white and blue.And when the band plays "Hail To Th Chief",oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no senator's son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no,

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.But when the taxman come to the door,Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no millionaire's son.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUUYlztf064

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no.

Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,And when you ask them, how much should we give,oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no military son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,

Daylight Again (1982)/

Find the Cost of Freedom (1971)recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Daylight again

Following me to bed

I think about a hundred years ago

How my father's bled

I think I see a valley

Covered with bones in blue

All the brave soldiers that cannot get older

Been asking after you

Hear the past a' calling

From Armageddon's side

When everyone's talking and no one is listening

How can we decide

Do we find the cost of freedom

Buried in the ground

Mother Earth will swallow you

Lay your body downhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8ljcPBbMt0

God Bless the USAmusic & lyrics by Lee Greenwood (1984)

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,

across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,

Well, there’s pride in every American heart,

and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRCQypnVeXA

Questions for Discussion

1. What do you think this song is about i.e. what’s going on? (Hint: you may to consider the year each song was recorded and put it in historical context).

2. Analyze each stanza of the song, and discuss how it relates to democracy.

3. What do you think is the overall message of the songwriter of each song?

4. Identify how the songs are different and how they are similar in terms of their perspectives on American democracy.