Basic Concepts of Democracy

Review Questions

5. Article II of the Constitution establishes the

powers of the

A) executive branch.

B) legislative branch.

C) States.

D) judicial branch.

6. Which of the following parts to the preamble to

the Constitution deals with keeping peace and stability here within the US?

A) form a more perfect union

B) insure domestic tranquility

C) provide for the common defense

D) establish justice

Review Questions

1. How many times has the Constitution been

amended?

2. What is the Bill of Rights?

3. What is the difference between a fundamental worth and dignity of every person vs. equality for all persons?

4. Why is compromise such an important aspect of a democracy? Do you think that we as a people are more or less willing to compromise?

How to change the US Constitution

The Constitution provides for its own amendment—that is, for changes in its written words.

Article V sets out two methods for the proposal and two methods for the ratification of constitutional amendments, creating four possible methods of formal amendment.

Basic Principles of Democracy

Amending the Constitution

The American concept of democracy rests on these basic notions:

1) A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of

every person;

2) A respect for the equality of all persons;

3) A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority

rights;

4) An acceptance of the necessity of compromise;

5) An insistence upon the widest possible degree of

individual freedom.

Formal Amendment Process

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments

Guarantees of freedom and rights

What government cannot do

Proposed by 2/3rds vote in each house of Congress.

Ratified by 3/4ths of the state legislatures.

Most common 26 of 27 amendments

Amendments to the Constitution

First Method

Brainstorm

The Preamble

Second Method

“ We the people of the U.S. in order to form a more perfect union

1. establish justice

2. ensure domestic tranquility

3. provide for the common defense

4. promote the general welfare

5. and secure the blessings of liberty

To ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the U.S.A.”

Proposed by 2/3rds vote of each house of Congress.

Ratified by 3/4th state conventions called for that purpose

used for the 21st amendment (repeal of prohibition)

Basic Concepts of Democracy

8 Articles of the Constitution

Third Method

Call for a national convention by 2/3rds of the state legislatures. Proposed amendment comes from the national convention.

Ratified by 3/4ths of state legislatures

never been used - fear of a runaway convention

Foundations of Democracy

An Outline of the Constitution

Fourth Method

Democracy and the free Enterprise System

The Constitution sets out the basic principles upon which government in the United States was built.

The Constitution is a fairly brief document.

The Constitution is organized into eight sections: the Preamble and seven articles. The original document is followed by 27 amendments.

Call for a national convention by 2/3rds of the state legislatures. Convention proposes the amendment.

Ratified by 3/4ths of state conventions called for that purpose.

Used for the original ratification of the constitution.

8 Articles of the Constitution

A recognition of worth of all persons

A respect for equality

A faith in majority rule

Acceptance of compromise

Widest possible degree of freedom

Basic Concepts of Democracy

Objectives:

The Purpose of Government

BRAINSTORM

Government and the Free Enterprise System

Preamble to the Constitution: We the people of the United State, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and the Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The Constitution of the U.S.A.

ELEMENTS

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