Democracy is a powerful concept that has been endorsed by great thinkers throughout history, from Pericles in ancient Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia. It has been the foundation of a prosperous, enduring, and increasingly diverse world – and it is still the best way to solve some of the most intractable challenges.
Democracy embodies a fundamental set of values about freedom that have been shaped through a long and often tortuous history. It includes the principle of holding regular, free, and fair elections that are open to all citizens; respect for human rights; protections against all forms of discrimination; and the ability for people to hold elected leaders accountable.
A democracy requires a society that allows everyone to express their views freely, listen to others’ opinions, and debate issues. It also provides for peaceful resolution of disagreements. Democracies encourage a diversity of ideas and support the development of each individual’s full potential. They also create laws that are clear and well written, and they protect citizens’ rights, including the right to vote.
To help students explore what democracy means to them, post five pictures (Appendix A) around the classroom. Ask students to select the image that best matches their current view of what a democracy is. Then, ask them to stand by the image and form groups with other students who selected the same picture. Have each group discuss their thinking about the big ideas that came out of the class discussion. The teacher or a student can record the big ideas on a large chart paper or another shared document. Through consensus in a group discussion, reach a class definition of democracy and post it in a visible spot for the remainder of the lesson.