FOAG - American Democracy Ideals Lesson


 

American Democracy Ideals Lesson

The American political system is rooted in the ideal that a just government can exist and that its citizens can experience a good measure of liberty, rights, and equality in their personal lives. Although many of us disagree on political issues, most of us can agree on the main ideals that come with being a democracy.

The characteristics of American democracy have changed throughout history and are continuously changing today. In the beginning, "we, the people" did not include women, African Americans, non-land owners, or slaves. However, the fundamental ideals, which include liberty, equality, and self-government, remain the same today.

  • Liberty - The freedom to act, choose, think, and do as we please
  • Equality - The idea that all people are of the same worth in all aspects of life; politically, socially, and economically
  • Self-Government - Members of a state have the opportunity to rule themselves

Characteristics of a Democracy

  • Individual Liberty - People are as free as possible to develop their own capacities both socially and politically.  People can never be completely free - we have to have some laws or rules to govern us, but the government works to provide equal access to as many opportunities as possible.
  • Majority Rule with Minority Rights - People accept the decisions made by their elected representatives. The government in return should work to protect the rights of everyone, not just the majority.
  • Free Elections - Almost everyone should have the opportunity to vote freely without having to pay a poll tax or fear of being threatened.
  • Political Parties - People should be free to express their beliefs through political activities.

Origins of American Democracy

Democracies did not originate with the founding of the United States. The origins of Democracy began in Ancient Greece. The term "democracy" comes from the Greek words meaning (demos) people and (kratia) power of authority. So, Democracy is the form of government that gives the power to the people. It was Aristotle who valued Natural Law. Aristotle believed that societies should be ruled by ethical principles. The Greeks were famous for practicing Direct Democracy, where citizens were involved in all discussions and decisions of the state. Decisions were determined by a majority rule. However, only free males could be citizens, which proved that the Greek democracy was limited.  

American Democracy was shaped by the foundations and traditions of the English and by experiments of self-rule by the colonists.  However, American Democracy was also shaped by ideologies that were learned from classic Greek and Roman perceptions of government. The term "Republicanism", or "representative government," dates back to ancient Rome and Greece. The drafters of the Declaration of Independence and framers of the Constitution accepted many of the ideas of republicanism and further rejected the ideas of a monarchy.  They used the republican model designed by the Romans, Judeo-Christian influences, and ideas from Enlightenment thinkers, which are rooted in founding documents such as the US Constitution and government system of today.

Intellectual Influences

Flip through the photo album below to learn more about who/what influenced our founding fathers.

The Founding Fathers of our country decided that a limited, or representative government, would best accommodate a large, diverse population spread out geographically. In this system, representatives are chosen by the people to make decisions for them. The Founding Fathers used the term "republic" to describe the system they preferred.    

Where did these ideas of a republic originate?

Representative Form of Government:

The British system of a representative form of government traces its roots back to around the 11th century. The king was advised by a group of advisors, or council of nobles and clergy or religious leaders. The significance of the advisory group grew and became widespread across villages and towns, eventually sending their own representatives to engage in the meetings. The group eventually broke off into two separate groups of advisors to the king. This separation into two houses is known as bicameral. Two separate groups became known as the legislative body in England, also referred to as Parliament.

Our current government in the United States has its basis in several documents and events in British history. Where did these ideas originate?  

Limited Government:

It eventually became Parliament's goal to limit the authority or power of the monarch. The first attempt at this was made in 1215. Parliament forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta stated that the King's power was not absolute.  The document also provided for protection against unjust punishment and the loss of life, liberty, and property according to the law.  In other words, the King could only enforce laws and not punish people who had not broken laws. The Magna Carta also stated that certain taxes could not be raised unless the English people consented to paying these tax increases.

Individual Rights:

The Petition of Right was drafted to limit the power of the monarch. It stated that the King could not collect taxes without Parliament's consent.  The King could not imprison people without just cause, and the King could not house troops in anyone's home unless the owner gave their consent.    

The English Bill of Rights also stated that the monarch's power was not absolute. The monarch must have Parliament's consent to change laws, raise taxes, or maintain an army. The monarch cannot interfere with the actions of Parliament; all people have the right to a fair and speedy trial by jury, and no one should be subject to cruel or unusual punishment.

Representative Government:

The English established a Parliament made up of representatives who were elected by the citizens of England. Parliament made laws and conducted the government in cooperation with the monarch. Our Congress is based on the ideas established by Parliament. 

Colonial Governments

The first settlers in North America were not on a mission to establish a democracy. Settlers brought their heritage, values, and beliefs, which were rooted in the ideas of the British system. They came to North America with the ideas of individual rights, limited government, and representation, and of course, to live without the authority of a monarch.  

Between 1607 and 1733, England established colonies in present-day North America. Each English colony had its own government consisting of a governor, a legislature, and a court system. Each colony also operated under some form of written agreement as to how the colony would function.  Several examples include:

  • The Mayflower Compact - signed by the Pilgrims in 1620. This is the first colonial plan for self-rule.  It said that the Pilgrims would choose their own leaders, and they would make their own laws that all were to follow.  These laws would be designed to benefit all of society.
  • Great Fundamentals - Plymouth's written system of laws.
  • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - Puritans who left Plymouth drew up the first formal constitution in the colonies. This was called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and it laid out a plan for government that gave the people the right to elect the governor, judges, and representatives to make laws. The first legislature in the colonies was the House of Burgesses, but before long, all colonies had a legislature that worked to create laws.  The colonial governments also had separation of powers. The governor was the supreme authority in the colony; the legislature worked to make laws, and the courts worked to enforce the laws. 

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