Unit 1: Basic Principles of Government

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Unit 1 Basic Principles of Government

• Pillars of Democracy

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The Pillars of Democracy

• The components needed for a democracy to be
  successful and prosperous if one is missing,
  democracy would be weakened and eventually
  crumble.

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What is

• Democracy- rule by the people.
• Direct Democracy- the people run the day to day
  aspects of the government. We do not have this
  type of democracy!!!

• Representative Government- the people elect
  officials that will represent their interests in
  government.

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Sovereignty of the People

• The people are free and independent of each other
  and the government and have the power to make
  their own decisions.

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Example

• Upheld I can make my own career/life choices,
  unlike in a totalitarian society.
• Falls Boss Tweed, drafted in to war

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Government based upon consent of the governed

• The government can only make decisions if they
  have the approval of the people for which it
  exists.

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Examples

• Upheld Voting, representative government,
  impeachment
• Falls- Gun Control in NYS

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Majority Rule

• Decisions are made when over half of the
  population (or elected body) approves it.

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Example

• Upheld President Barack Obama was re-elected in
  2012
• Falls Al Gore the Electoral college

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Minority Rights

• The rights of the minority voice can not be
  ignored even with majority rule the people share
  the same rights.

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Examples

• Upheld Civil Rights Movement, Voting Rights Act
  of 1965
• Falls Jim Crow Laws

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Guarantee of basic human rights

• All citizens are guaranteed the rights of life,
  liberty, property, and the pursuit of
  happinessthese can not be taken away.

13
Examples

• Upheld Gay marriage, not to be killed, not to
  have your possessions stolen.
• Falls Gay marriage in a state that does not
  allow it!!!

14
Free and fair elections

• The electoral process is open to all people, free
  of cost, and all citizens have the right to run
  as well as vote in the election.

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Examples

• Upheld Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Falls Literacy tests, Poll Taxes, Grandfather
  Clauses

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Equality before the law

• Justice is blind, there is no factor/characteristi
  c that is distinguishable in the face of the
  lawall citizens have the same rights and
  freedoms under the laws.

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Example

• Upheld A Muslim American will be treated the
  same as all other Americans.
• Falls Muslim Americans being racially profiled
  and treated as a terrorist threat.

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Due Process of Law

• All citizens are guaranteed the same procedures
  when charged with breaking the law Miranda
  rights, etc.

19
Example

• Upheld A jury of your peers will determine your
  guilt or innocence.
• Falls Vigilante justice, not being read your
  Miranda Rights

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Constitutional limits on Government

• Principles exist to prevent the government from
  becoming too powerful.

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Examples

• Upheld Checks and Balances, Separation of
  Powers, Veto Power
• Falls F.D.R. served 4 terms in office- led to a
  2 term limit.

22
Social, Economic Political Pluralism

• Differences are allowed and promoted in the
  government because the citizens of America are
  vastly different.
• Pluralism various ethnic, religious, etc. groups
  existing together in a nation.

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Examples

• Upheld The Amish in Pennsylvania, Native
  American Nations
• Falls Hate crimes

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Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and
compromise

• Citizens of the nation must work with one another
  respecting the different opinions and values
  also they must be realistic in their decisions
  and be willing to compromise so that work may be
  done.

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Examples

• Upheld Bipartisanship in our govt.
• Falls Not allowing religious decorations or
  songs in public schools.

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Pick a Pillar3x5 Card

• Put your name on the 3x5 card.
• On one side, pick the pillar you feel is most
  important and WHY.
• On the other side of the card, pick the pillar
  you feel is least important and WHY.
• Hand in on your way out the door.