Transcript Democracy
Demos- people Kratia -rule Ancient Athens Often called the cradle of democracy Where the idea of democracy first took root All citizens were expected to participate actively in the city’s affairs Direct Democracy Every citizen had the right to vote on decisions affecting the way the city was governed. Democracy Is a form of government in which laws are made by either: A direct vote of the citizens (direct democracy) or by the representatives on their behalf (representative democracy) A representative democracy involves elections and candidates from competing political parties. Canada is an example of a representative democracy. Pnyx Pnyx was the meeting place of the world’s first ever democratic legislature, the Athenian (assembly), and the flat stone platform is the “stepping stone” or speakers’ platform Citizens Only citizens were allowed to participate in the city’s public affairs- free male adults who had been born in Athens Women, slaves, children and anyone not born in the city were protected by the law, but they had no political rights at all Pericles When Athens went to war with its rival, the city of Sparta, in 430 BCE, Pericles was elected strategosmilitary leader- by the citizens. His “Funeral Oration” is still considered to be a statement of classical democratic values. Principles of a Modern Democracy How do you tell if a country is democratic or not? Political Scientists have designed a test! Rule of Law- No one, not even the leader is above the law 2. Independent Courts- Courts free from government interference 3. Freedom of Expression -people can criticize government - have free speech 1. Voting 101 – Rick Mercer Principles of a Modern Democracy 4. Freedom of Press – Independent News Services - can criticize government 5. Free Elections – real choice, real voters, universal suffrage 6. Representative and Responsible Government - chosen by the people -can be removed if is not doing its job eg. election 7. Respect for Minority Rights