Democracy

EtymologyEtymology rule by the people demos (common people) kratos

(strength, rule)

Origin and developmentOrigin and developmentThe AntiquityThe Antiquity

The world’s first democracy: the city-state of Athens, 5th century BC

The Assembly (6,000 citizens) Trials were conducted by juries of

501citizens

Medieval periodMedieval period

the concept of divine, natural, and customary law as a restraint on the exercise of power;

the growing practice by European rulers of seeking approval of their policies;

1215 Magna Carta of England, granted by King John

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

Montesquieu Thomas Hobbes John Locke Jean-Jacques Rousseau Voltaire

1776 The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America

1789 French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

1791 The Constitution of May 3 – the first modern written constitution in Europe

DefinitionDefinition A social contract between rational human

beings who understand that their best interests lie in joining together in the mutual recognition of each individual’s right to live according to their beliefs and values.

The contract contains a penal system to punish those who are guilty of breaching it.

The parties of this contract recognise the rights of others to live in accordance with their values, beliefs and opinions; they are granted inalienable rights (human rights and civil rights) that neither society nor government can remove or alienate them.

Basic formsBasic forms a form of government in which the

right to make political decisions is exercised directly by the whole body of citizens, acting under procedures of majority rule (direct democracy)

a form of government in which the citizens exercise the same right not in person but through representatives chosen by and responsible to them (representative democracy)

a form of government in which the powers of the majority are exercised within a framework of constitutional restraints designed to guarantee all citizens the enjoyment of certain individual or collective rights (liberal/ constitutional democracy)

The pillars of democracy The pillars of democracy sovereignity of the people government based upon consent of the

governed majority rule minority rights free and fair elections equality before the law due process of law constitutional limits on government social, economic and political pluralism values of tolerance, pragmatism,

cooperation and compromise

Basic civil rightsBasic civil rights

government exists to serve the people

the right to vote and stand a candidate in elections

the right to join organisations independent of government

the right to participate freely in the public life of the society

the right to an education the right to medical care the right to social care

Basic Human RightsBasic Human Rights freedom of speech, expression and of the

press freedom of religion freedom of assembly and association right to equal protection of the law right to due process and fair trial

ADVANTAGES & ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF DISADVANTAGES OF

DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

? ?

Winston Churchill Winston Churchill

The best argument against democracy is a The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average five minute conversation with the average

voter. voter.

It has been said that democracy is the It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all worst form of government except all

the others that have been tried. the others that have been tried.