What Is Democracy 8.10.10

“Democracy is itself, a religious faith. For some it comes close to being the only formal religion they have.”  –E.B. White

A principal that the control of authority comes from the public, and the ruler and non-ruler are the same

Popular sovereignty is common.

Often called “The Last Form Of Government”

The US Democracy

Constitutional Representative Democracy

English Democracy Influence

“A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but will not cross the street to vote in a national election” –Unknown

Funny Fact  - There are more Democrats than Republicans in most places but most of them don’t vote.

Foundations

Greek Democracy

A.K.A. Athenian Democracy

~500 BC

Adult Males who finished their military duty could vote

Assembly, courts, council

100 elected

1000 by lot

Roman Republic

First overthrew Roman monarchy

509 BC and lasted 450 years

Complex constitution

Separation of powers

Direct Democracy

                People voted on laws instead of a representative

English Roots

The Magna Carta

                1215 AD

                King John Of England

                Everyone Had Certain Rights

                Legal Procedures

                The king was bound to the law as well

English Bill Of Rights

                An Act declaring the Rights and Liberties of the people

                Right to petition, Right to bear arms in defense.

Representative Government

                A representative votes on laws for the people

Philosophical Roots

Judeo Christian

                Legal Codes And Morality

                Old Testament

                10 Commandments

                All Human Created Equal – Genesis

John Locke

                Social Contract Theory

                Human Nature

                                Humans are tolerant and reasonable to each other

                Natural rights

                                “Life, Health, Liberty or possessions”

Charles De Montesquieu

                Separation of government into 3 branches.

Fundamental parts of us democracy

Seen in the Declaration of independence

Equality

                “All people talk about equality. The only thing they have in common is that they all are going to die” – Bob Dylan

Natural Rights Of Man

                “Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions-it only guarantees equality of opportunity” – Irving Kristol

The Rule Of law

                Supremacy Of Law