Civics_Ch2_webquest_attheconvention-republic


 * Representative Democracy - Just like the Founding Fathers**

The Founding Fathers decided to set up a system in which elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people. This is called a **republic** (be sure to put in __vocabulary__). They believed that a direct form of democracy could lead to mob rule with a powerful group forcing others to vote their way. A republic would allow the people to elect an official to stay informed on key issues and pass legislation based on what is best for that official's voters, or constituents. A direct form of democracy allows the people to vote on everything, but our Founding Fathers recognized that not everyone paid attention to key issues and may not have all of the information necessary to make a good decision in terms of voting and therefore wanted the people to elect a representative whose job it would be to learn everything possible about key issues and make a wise decision that is the best decision for the people.

__IMPORTANT STUDY NOTES__: So, why did the Founding Fathers choose a republic form of government? (1) It sets up a system in which government leaders make themselves knowledgeable about the issues and vote based on what is best for the people. (2) The people still have the ultimate power since the people elect their representatives. (3) With our representatives being elected to become "experts" on the issues, since most citizens do not become "experts" on all issues (most people who work and have families don't have the ability to research all arguments on all issues).

What are some of the dangers with direct democracy? (1) It could lead to mob rule (some called it mobocracy) in which the citizenry could vote for something without looking at all sides of an issue and not see possible problems (2) People could vote on issues that seem good and benefit them, but may not be best for the whole nation. For example, if everyone could live in retirement and collect social security starting at age 40, that would be nice, but soon more people would be retired that working and the system would break down because it would be impossible to do such a thing...voters may see only the short term benefits of retiring early and not see the longterm problems that could rise. (3) Voting turnout could be low and therefore not actually be a majority vote.

What are some positions that we vote for today in which we elect officials to make decisions for us? - President, House of Representatives, Senate, Governor, State House of Representatives, State Senate, State judges, Mayor, County Commissioners, School Board officials, and many more. - Here at school you all elect homeroom representatives to represent your homeroom in Student Council. If you have a suggestion, you tell your homeroom rep. and he/she raises your suggestion at Student Council. If the majority of Student Council members agree, the take the suggestion to the principal.

Do you know which civilization had a republic, which the Founders looked to as an example? [|Click here for the answer] (be sure to record in your STUDY NOTES).

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