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510
Beginning of Athenian Democracy
Democracy first started in Ancient Athens (Greece). Developed out of the need of consensus, which brought others together and discussed criticism and issues. It was seen as a way to defuse criticism by encouraging debate. Which in turn forced democracy to come about. But it was destined for faliure, as there was still segregation, only 2nd generation Athenina males could vote. Women and slaves were seen to be inferior. NOTE: Date was actually around 510BC but timetoats doesnt accept BC times. -
510
End of Athenian Democracy
NOTE; date is actually 322BC, when the Macedonians conquered Athens
Values:
Limits on Power - 100 people were voted in as officials each year, and that the end of the term, the board was wiped fresh.
Accountability - If money was imbezzled, the money would be taken back and their land revoked. NOTE: click on timespan below (little spec of dark Blue) -
Period: 510 to 510
Athenian Democracy
Values:Limits on Power - 100 people were voted in as officials each year, and that the end of the term, the board was wiped fresh.Accountability - If money was imbezzled, the money would be taken back and their land revoked.
More Feature: Must have election - free, fair elections
- a choice between candidates
- No coertion
2) Frequent elections to provide accountability.
3) Majority rule
4) minority rights
5)transparent open government and free independent media -
Period: Jan 1, 1215 to
English democracy (constitutional monarchy)
- Main concern in the English development of democracy was to limit and regulate the power of the monarch
- A second concern or trend was to broaden the franchise and access to political power
a. A monarch constrained by a constitution
b. A parliament that is directly elected by the people (except for the house lords)
c. A chain of accountability from PM + Ministry to the people
d. An independent judiciary -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
introduced to the people of of the time, that it was possible to have power. Land owning barons demanded more landfrom King John and they were given
it. Introduced Freedom and property rights to 'free men'
Features
-‘No free man shall be seized or imprisoned except by the lawful judgement of his equalsor by the law of the land’
- Didn’t apply to ordinary people, guaranteed basic rights to barons or landholders.
-‘to no one will we sell or deny the right of justice.’ (justice can’t be bought) -
May 1, 1295
Creation of Goverment
King established a ‘parliament’ of wealthy noblemen- to keep them happy. Word ‘parliament’ comes from word to speak, talk fest, no decisions made. -
Jun 1, 1381
Peasants Revolt
led by John Ball(preached form of democracy), he believed that everyone was born equal. cited God as grounds of his campaign, revolted because of the poll tax, refused to pay the Tax and this spread throughout country and the armed peasants marched onto London.
Didn’t believe in slavery serfdom is wrong, we were formed in Gods likeness, not animals. Occupied city, king accepted their demands, peasants were slaughtered. JohnBall was hanged and gutted. -
English civil war
The English Civil War was fought between two groups, Parliament and the Monarchy. The revolution was led by Oliver Cromwell who defeated and executed the King in Whitehall. Even though the Monarchy was restored in 1660 the Parliament acquired greater power but it was still not elected by the people. Tom Paine, one of the numerous Republicans, wrote a book named ‘The Rights of Man’ which stated that, “government cannot be the property of any particular man or family but of the whole community -
Chartists
In 1832 only 2% of the population had a vote, these were rich men who made the Laws to suit themselves. This generated controversy and produced the Chartists, these were people who were excluded from voting and now demanded the right to be represented in Parliament. For 4 years the majority pushed for the change and a Charter was formed for the representation of the people. It included that all men should be allowed to vote along with any man being able able to stand as a member of parliament. -
Suffragettes
This was a move for women’s rights and gender equality. The same arguments were used I this battle of the sexes as was used in the battle between the rich and the poor. Emily Davidson was one of the key characters involved in the women’s rights movements by committing suicide in the form of running onto a race track whilst a horse race was in progress. In 1928 women and men got the vote at the same time which was a big win for gender equality. -
Representative Democracy
Representative democracy is a democracy founded on the principle of elected people representing a group of people, as opposed to direct democracy.
1) Popular sovereignty
Consent of the governed through elected representative
2) Accountability
Election of the law- makers and the policy – makers.
3) Equality
Participation in the political decision making process; majority rule but minority rights
4) Some kind of limits to power
5) Protection of rights and freedom -
Period: to
Representative democracy and Repulicanism
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Republicanism
A republican democracy is a republic which has democratic forms of government. One of the key principles is free and open debate prior to casting a vote.
1) No monarch (no ruler)
2) People’s rights not to be tyrannised by government 3) Separation of the 3 main functions of government- Law making (congress)
- Policy making ( president + v president)
- Judiciary (supreme court) 4) Checks and balances
- Going to war
- Has to have final permission from the President
