Ideals of Democracy

Unit 1.1 Ideals of Democracy

Do We Need Government?

  • Concept: Without government, there would be unlimited freedom.

  • Counterpoint: Despite unlimited freedom, the absence of government would lead to a lack of law and order.

  • Risks: Uncontrolled freedoms could result in actions such as stealing, murder, and imprisonment of others.

The Social Contract

Key Philosopher: Thomas Hobbes

  • Background: Political philosopher who wrote The Leviathan in 1651.

    • Main Argument: If everyone has a right to everything (unlimited freedom), this could infringe upon others' health and lives.

Chaos and Governance

  • Human Nature: Not all individuals are good; some may refuse to respect others’ freedoms, leading to chaos.

  • Proposed Solution: Hobbes advocated for a very strong central government to maintain social order.

Symbolism of The Leviathan

  • Biblical Reference: The Leviathan is a biblical sea monster.

  • Hobbes’s View: The government should act as a Leviathan to keep society in check.

Fundamental Idea of Social Contract

  • Willingness to Compromise: In the name of peace and self-defense, individuals must be willing to surrender their unlimited freedoms.

    • Mutual Agreement: Accepting as much liberty against others as one would allow for oneself.

    • Definition: The social contract is the agreement whereby individuals give up certain rights to a government, which in turn governs them.

Rights Given Up

  • Example of Rights: Individuals give up rights, such as the right to imprison, to a government, which protects rights deemed more important (e.g., life, property, speech).

Natural Rights

Concept of Unalienable Rights

  • Definition: Certain rights are unalienable and belong inherently to every individual from birth.

  • Key Philosopher: John Locke

    • Natural Rights: Life, liberty, and property are considered birth rights.

Government's Role

  • Obligation: Governments have a duty to protect these natural rights.

  • Direct Democracy: governance system where citizens participate directly in decision-making, voting on laws and policies without intermediaries.

  • Forms of Governance: Diverse forms exist, including England’s Monarchy and the opposing idea of Popular Sovereignty in a Democracy, where the governing authority derives from the governed's consent.

Limited Government

Fear of Direct Democracy

  • Concerns: The Founding Fathers feared that direct democracy could lead to factionalism, where groups might oppress others.

  • Definition of Limited Government: Governmental authority is restricted by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and various safeguards to prevent unilateral power and protect citizens' rights.

Republicanism

Choice of Governance

  • Nature of Governance: The Founding Fathers opted for a republican form of governance rather than direct democracy.

  • Representative Democracy: A system where citizens elect representatives to advocate for their interests, thereby preventing faction domination and catering to practical governance in a large nation.

Contemporary Understanding

  • Modern America: The country is recognized as a Democratic Republic, emphasizing popular sovereignty while utilizing elected representatives rather than direct rule.

Declaration of Independence

Historical Context

  • Independence Declaration: American colonists declared independence from England on July 4, 1776.

  • Subsequent Actions: Following the Declaration, framers commenced developing the first governmental system under the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation Characteristics

  • State Autonomy: The Articles treat states as almost independent entities connected primarily for independence from Britain.

  • Ineffectiveness: The weaknesses of the Articles became apparent, prompting a re-drafting towards the more robust U.S. Constitution.

  • Effective Date of Constitution: Ratification initiated in 1789.

Examination of the Declaration of Independence

Reading & Discussion Prompts

  • Activity: Read the initial portion of the Declaration to “Guards for their future security.”

  • Focus Areas: Identify instances of Natural Rights, Limited Government, Popular Sovereignty, Republicanism, and the Social Contract.

Examples of Ideals

  • Natural Rights Quote: "All men are created equal… endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

  • Social Contract Example: "That to secure these rights, Governments instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

  • Popular Sovereignty: The government derives its powers from the consent of the governed.

Governance Alteration Provisions

  • Social Contract Principle: "Whenever… government becomes destructive… it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it."

  • Limited Government Principles: Incorporates phrases like "Organizing its powers in such form" and "Provide new Guards" to signify that limited government principles are integral to the structure of governance.

The Constitution

Historical Development

  • Constitution Formation: In 1787, the Founding Fathers intended to revise the Articles of Confederation but ended up drafting a completely new Constitution.

Engaging with the Constitution

  • Activity: Read the Preamble, seeking democratic principles exemplified in its text.

Preamble Overview

  • “We the People”: Emphasis on Popular Sovereignty, indicating that power rests with the populace rather than Congress or state governments.

  • Historical Significance: This Constitution represented the first instance where governmental power is constitutionally derived from the consent of the governed.

Natural Rights Emphasis

  • Quote on Natural Rights: “Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity” indicates that natural rights originate from God or nature, rather than governmental grant.

  • Government's Responsibility: The government is mandated to protect these inherent rights.

Constitution Ratification Process

  • Mechanism for Ratification: The Constitution required ratification via special conventions in each state, with the populace voting to adopt it as fundamental governance.

  • Amendment Process:

    • Proposed by a two-thirds vote in each Congressional house.

    • Ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions.

Historical Context of Democracy

Comparative Analysis

  • Previous Democracies: Smaller democracies existed in ancient Greece and Rome.

  • Partial Democracies: Some form could be observed in England with the Parliament.

  • Distinguishing Feature: Unlike the U.S., these earlier democracies lacked formal constitutions ratified through popular support.

Purpose of the Constitution

  • Improvement Goals: Aimed to create “a more perfect union” by remedying the imperfections articulated by the Articles of Confederation, which included inability to raise funds or require unanimous consent for changes.

  • Founders’ Balance Philosophy: The framers sought a Constitution robust enough to fulfill common purposes while maintaining safeguards for natural rights.

Constitutional Principles

  • Establishing Justice: The Constitution aims to define and implement justice.

  • Ensuring Domestic Tranquility: The government possesses authority to suppress insurrections.

  • Providing for Common Defense: Congress is vested with the authority to declare war if necessary.

  • Promoting General Welfare: The passing of laws intended to benefit the populace while avoiding infringement on individual liberties.