THE SIX COMPONENTS OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

Elisa DanthinneGovernment A7 September 2015

Introduction • American Democracy is founded on six principles

• These ideas help guide American democracy, making

sure it allows the freedom that the founding fathers

promised

• The six components of democracy are:

1. Popular consent

2. Popular sovereignty

3. Majority rule

4. Individualism

5. Equality

6. Personal liberty

1. Popular Consent

• Defined: As recounted in the social contract, popular

consent dictates that the power of the government

derives from the people. Only when power is given by

this source is it legal and justified.

Modern example: The Declaration of Independence—

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Application to my life: Along with other citizens of the

United States, I have the right to speak out against my leaders. When I turn 18, I can join political campaigns that could have the power to elect or impeach officials. Furthermore, I know that if the President himself is not doing a just job, members of congress can vote to impeach and even remove him from office.

2. Popular Sovereignty

• Defined: The people remain the source of political

power. Their will or consent sustains government.

• Modern example: The Declaration of Independence— (which was revolutionary in implementing this ideal)

• “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

• Voting allows citizens to remain involved in this fashion.

• Application to my life:

• When I turn 18, I will be able to vote on representatives as well as important issues in the community. I will have an opportunity to have a consistent say in the way I am governed.

3. Majority Rule

• Defined: Majority rule marks a decision being made

when it has obtained more than half the total votes.

• Modern example:

• Direct election of senators: (as outlined in

the Constitution)

• Voters can elect their senators directly, and

the winning candidate is that with the most

votes.

• Application to my life:

• When I turn 18, I will be able to vote on

representatives for political office. My say

will contribute to the total count, and my

voice will sway the outcome because of its

dependence on majority rule.

4. Individualism

• Defined: This philosophy allows individuals the right to

protect their autonomy against over-imposing

demands of the government.

• Modern example:

The Bill of Rights

• The bill of rights advocates my rights as an

individual, including the freedom of speech

and the freedom of religion

• Amendments to the constitution also

support individual rights. The Miranda

Rights, for example, protect rights of

prisoners.

• Application to my life:

• I can support my individualism by voicing my

opinion. Because of the freedom of speech, I

am not confined to conform to a particular

viewpoint.

5. Equality • Defined: All citizens of the United States are treated

equally, regardless of race, sex, or appearance.

• Modern example:

The Constitution—

• The United States was founded on equality—

almost. Over time, as issues have been

breached and resolved, the Constitution has

accumulated amendments on disability,

racial and gender equality that have created

a more equal basis of government.

• Application to my life:

• When I get a job, my employers cannot

discriminate against me or other candidates

based on these arbitrary discriminations. We

all begin at an equal playing field!

6. Personal Liberty

• Defined: Individuals can dictate their own lives. The

government cannot control all aspects of the lives of

individuals.

• Modern example:

The Bill of Rights

• The Bill of Rights, too, supports personal

liberty. It promises me rights that allow me

to make most decisions however I choose. I

can choose my religion, political affiliation,

and life plan.

• Application to my life:

• I enjoy the personal liberty today of deciding

many elements of my life, from what I want

to eat for dinner, to what career I choose,

even if I decide not to have a job at all. I can

even make my own decision in who to vote

for at an upcoming election.

Conclusion • These six components are all very important

in maintaining freedom, democracy, and

stability.

• Of these, I value equality the most:

– Equality allows all to participate equally in government. Without

equality, the other characteristics of democracy would fail to

function effectively. Majority rule would be biased. Popular

sovereignty would fail to represent the opinion of the whole.

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