Introduction to Democracy

Definition and Core Principles

• Democracy is a system of government where power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
• Core principles:
  • Sovereignty of the people
  • Equality of citizens
  • Protection of individual rights and freedoms
  • Free and fair elections
  • Accountability of leaders to the people

Types of Democracy

• Direct Democracy: Citizens make decisions directly, often through referendums or town hall meetings. Examples: Ancient Athens, some Swiss cantons.
• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Examples: United States, United Kingdom, most modern democracies.
• Participatory Democracy: Combines elements of direct and representative democracy, with active citizen participation in decision-making processes. Examples: Some city governments, citizen juries.

Key Institutions

• Legislative Branch: Makes laws, often composed of elected representatives.
• Executive Branch: Enforces laws, headed by a president, prime minister, or other leader.
• Judicial Branch: Interprets laws, composed of independent courts and judges.
• Free Press: Ensures access to information and holds those in power accountable.

Characteristics of a Healthy Democracy

• Political Pluralism: Multiple parties and perspectives are represented.
• Free and Fair Elections: Regular, transparent, and competitive elections.
• Civil Liberties: Protection of individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech and assembly.
• Accountability: Leaders are held accountable for their actions, through mechanisms like checks and balances.
• Active Citizen Participation: Citizens engage in the political process through voting, protesting, and other forms of participation.

Definition and Core Principles of Democracy

• Democracy is a system of government where power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
• Core principles of democracy include:
  • Sovereignty of the people, meaning the people are the highest authority.
  • Equality of citizens, ensuring equal rights and opportunities.
  • Protection of individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech and assembly.
  • Free and fair elections, ensuring a transparent and competitive process.
  • Accountability of leaders to the people, through mechanisms like checks and balances.

Types of Democracy

• Direct Democracy: citizens make decisions directly, often through:
  • Referendums, where citizens vote on specific policies.
  • Town hall meetings, where citizens gather to discuss and decide on issues.
• Representative Democracy: citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, as seen in:
  • The United States, where Congress represents the people.
  • The United Kingdom, where Parliament represents the people.
• Participatory Democracy: combines elements of direct and representative democracy, with:
  • Active citizen participation in decision-making processes.
  • Examples include some city governments and citizen juries.

Key Institutions in a Democracy

• Legislative Branch: makes laws, often composed of elected representatives.
• Executive Branch: enforces laws, headed by a:
  • President, as in the United States.
  • Prime Minister, as in the United Kingdom.
• Judicial Branch: interprets laws, composed of independent:
  • Courts, which hear cases and make rulings.
  • Judges, who interpret laws and make decisions.
• Free Press: ensures access to information and holds those in power accountable through:
  • Investigative reporting, which holds leaders accountable.
  • Freedom of information, which allows citizens to access government information.

Characteristics of a Healthy Democracy

• Political Pluralism: multiple parties and perspectives are represented, ensuring a diverse range of views.
• Free and Fair Elections: regular, transparent, and competitive elections, which:
  • Ensure citizens have a voice in government.
  • Hold leaders accountable for their actions.
• Civil Liberties: protection of individual rights and freedoms, including:
  • Freedom of speech, which allows citizens to express their opinions.
  • Freedom of assembly, which allows citizens to gather and protest.
• Accountability: leaders are held accountable for their actions, through mechanisms like:
  • Checks and balances, which prevent abuse of power.
  • Transparency, which allows citizens to access government information.
• Active Citizen Participation: citizens engage in the political process through:
  • Voting, which allows citizens to choose their leaders.
  • Protesting, which allows citizens to express their opinions and bring about change.