Week 16-17: Democracy

Question 1

Democracy is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as:

Answer 1

“a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections”

Question 2

demos

Answer 2

“the people”

Question 3

kratos

Answer 3

“power” or “strength”

Question 4

The following are some of the historical political events and practices that became the basis and inspiration for democracy as we know it today:

Answer 4

Athenian Democracy, The Roman Republic and The Magna Carta

Question 5

Basically, there are two main types of democracy:

Answer 5

direct democracy and representative democracy

Question 6

a type of democracy where members can directly or personally participate in dialogue and decision making.

Answer 6

direct democracy

Question 7

a vote by the electorate

Answer 7

referendum

Question 8

all people who are entitled to vote

Answer 8

electorate

Question 9

a type of democracy where officials are elected by the citizens to act in their behalf

Answer 9

representative democracy

Question 10

Representative democracy can be further categorized into 2 systems:

Answer 10

These are parliamentary and presidential

Question 11

citizens elect members of the parliament, which is the main legislative (law-making) body. The members of the political party(groups of politicians with the same political beliefs) with the highest number of elected representatives select a prime minister, which is the highest political position. The prime minister assumes leadership responsibilities while still acting as a member of the parliament.

Answer 11

parliamentary system

Question 12

political party

Answer 12

groups of politicians with the same political beliefs

Question 13

citizens elect a president who serves as head of state AND leader of the government. The government itself is usually divided into three branches namely the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch.

Answer 13

presidential democracy

Question 14

The following some of the most basic and important human rights that democracy guarantees for its citizens:

Answer 14

Freedom of expression
Freedom of religion
Freedom of assembly
Right to equal protection of the law
Right to due process and fair trial

Question 15

the right of every citizen to express his opinions without being censored or suppressed by others. This right is essential in a democracy because public opinion is a major deciding factor in almost every issue

Answer 15

Freedom of expression

Question 16

the right of every person to choose which religion or belief system to follow. This right also guarantees the freedom to worship or conduct religious practices. At the same time, the freedom of religion also protects any person from being forced to follow any religion or belief system against his or her will

Answer 16

Freedom of religion

Question 17

the right of citizens to come together with the goal of expressing, promoting and defending their ideas. This right also gives citizens the freedom to peacefully protest and express their grievances.

Answer 17

Freedom of assembly

Question 18

This right states that every citizen is considered equal under the law. This means that laws should not discriminate people based on gender, religion, wealth, ethnicity, etc.

Answer 18

Right to equal protection of the law

Question 19

This right states that the government cannot take away a person’s life, freedom, or property without the due process of law. This right also gives anyone who is accused of a crime the right to a fair trial in the court of law. Basically, the government cannot imprison, punish, or kill anyone without proper legal basis

Answer 19

Right to due process and fair trial

Question 20

The following are the responsibilities of the citizens in pretty much every democratic country:

Answer 20

Obeying laws
Paying taxes
Voting

Question 21

a group of people who are responsible for deciding the outcome of a court trial based on facts and evidences presented in court.

Answer 21

jury