Democratic Values and Principles


Target


This lesson is about values and principles. You will learn about the values and principles that form the basis of democratic beliefs.

Introduction


What is democracy about? Can you choose words that describe what democracy means?


What is Government?


A government makes rules or decisions for a group of people or an area such as a country. Governments make rules, taxes, wars, and agreements with other countries.

The government’s purpose is to protect people and provide justice.

Throughout time, people have organized governments in order to meet the needs of communities. Monarchies, tyrants, aristocracies, oligarchies, or democracies are different ways of organizing power.

How do governments get the power or authority to rule?



Everybody has a leader in life whether it is a parent, coach, teacher, employer, or a government leader. It is no different for a country. People make an agreement to choose which type of government leader(s) they would like:

Types of Government



In an absolute monarchy, one person, the king, and his family have all the power. The monarch makes the rules, controls the resources, and punishes anyone who does not follow the rules.

In a constitutional monarchy, the king must obey the written law.

Click here for more information about monarchies. An example of a constitutional monarchy is Britain. An example of an absolute monarchy is Saudi Arabia.


In anarchy, there are no rules about who gets resources or power. Every person does what seems right to the person. There are many fights to gain power. People get hurt as others try to force every other person to give them power. An example of this is Somalia during its civil war when the government had no power in the country.


In aristocracy, the richest people make decisions for the group.

In oligarchy, few people have all the power. These people are the richest, smartest or people belonging to a certain club. They control the resources and can punish anyone who does not follow the rules they make. An example of this type of government is Russia or Venezuela.  


In tyranny, the most powerful person gains control. Tyrants makes promises to some people who support them. Or, they are influenced by people who give them gifts of food and money. They becomes even more powerful. Tyrants can be cruel.  An example of this type of government in history is Genghis Khan of the Mongol empire or Hitler's Germany.


In democracy, the people share the power. They take a vote on the rules that everyone will agree to follow. The majority of the people decide what decision should be made. The decision must be acceptable to at least six of ten people. The minority must convince everyone else to change their mind. This may take some time. And, if there are too many choices, and people have too many different opinions, they may never agree.  An example of democratic government is Greece. Democracy


In theocracy, God, or a religious organization has the power. In one form of theocracy, religious leaders such as priests interpret laws. An example is the Catholic Vatican city in Italy.