Is the United States a republic or a democracy? Explain.
Republic- it’s not a rule directly by the people, but rule by people’s elected representatives (elected officials)
What two major questions confronted the framers of the U.S. Constitution?
- how to incorporate democratic ideas into the new American government
- how to make a democratic republic work over a vast territory
What characteristic of mankind eventually destroys direct democracy?
Man’s sinful nature
What key policies did the founders include in the Constitution to ensure that the majority would not tyrannize the minority?
- limited both the government and the governed in their access to power
- limited the power of the governed by restricting their influence on the national level
What two innovations were adopted in the Constitution in order to overcome the geographic limitations of a democracy?
Self government by representation and federalism
Where was the first significant example of pure democracy practiced?
Athens, Greece
What is the difference between a popular majority and a representative majority?
Popular majority- consists of the majority of all citizens, or at least of all the voters that participate in their government through free elections
Representative majority- a majority of elected officials, such as members of Congress
Give four observations concerning majority rule in America that show why it has been effective.
- majority rule provides a better approach to governance than its alternative: unanimity, which requires total agreement before action can be taken
- the majority is not a fixed, well-defined group
- in a successful democracy, majority rule must take into account minority rights
- the majority principle must be accompanied by other democratic principles
In what two ways are all American citizens equal?
Political equality (equality of justice and equality of franchise)
What is the difference between personal and political liberty?
Personal- freedom of conscience, freedom of association, and freedom of expression (not only the cherished right to worship and serve God openly, but also the opportunity for political associations and the expressing of opinions)
Political- involves the right to vote, campaign, and hold elective office (the freedom to influence the government through any legitimate means available)
What are the three main conditions necessary for a successful democracy?
Opportunity, an educated society, and moral responsibility
What dangers arise when people lack economic opportunity?
If a country’s middle class is largely absent and there are instead great extremes of economic conditions (a small wealthy class and a poor majority), democracy will struggle. This kind of economic division poses the real threat of political division
What is potentially undemocratic about the welfare system in America today?
- when individuals choose to stay on welfare because it is more profitable than working, this stifles individual initiative and closes doors of opportunity
- welfare programs have become bloated with federal monies and managing bureaucracies, saddling the future with burdensome debts
What is the difference between universal education and civic thinking?
Universal education- teaching everyone to read and write
Civic thinking- involves an understanding of the political ideas and institutions that shape our government, a valuing of our heritage, and an ability to evaluate current issues and national direction
How does moral responsibility help to moderate the power of the majority?
- implies submission to the rule of the law
- provides a standard for judging the actions of the majority
