Starter : Use the letters below to make as many words as you can. Each word must use the central letter. There is

one 9 letter word using all the letters.R

AO

C

C

YM

E D

Do we truly have democracy in the modern times?

By the end of the lesson you will1.Describe what democracy stands for2.Explain the type of democracy operating in the UK3.Have analysed the extent of democracy in the UK and be weighing up why the fight for democracy has been so important

"Democracy is the most valued and also the vaguest of political terms in the

modern world."

• What does democracy mean?

• Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX1Ul0oX9DY&list=PL03FFE1F0B34AA057&index=23 6 mins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA8GxIRYOuU&list=PL03FFE1F0B34AA057 3 mins

• Democracy contrasts with forms of government where power is either held by one person, as in a monarchy, or where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy.

• Several variants of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms, both of which concern how the whole body of all eligible citizens executes its will.

• One form of democracy is direct democracy, in which all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the decision making of the government.

• In most modern democracies, the whole body of all eligible citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives; this is called representative democracy.

• WHICH ONE BEST FITS THE UK?

Types of Democracy

• Representative Democracy - This is where citizens within a country elect representatives to make decisions for them.

• Direct Democracy - This belief is based on the right of every citizen over a certain age to attend political meetings, vote on the issue being discussed at that meeting and accepting the majority decision should such a vote lead to a law being passed which you as an individual did not support.

The Palace of Westminster houses both the House of Lords (non-elected) and the House of Commons (elected by the people)

HM The Queen is the Head of StateThe High Court in London

Copy and complete the box belowDescription Today

Can all adult men vote?

Can all adult females vote?

Is there a choice of political parties?

Are people free to say what they think?

Are all people equal in the eyes of the law?

Is our country led by just one individual?

Are people free to worship independently?

Are people free to be involved in enterprise?

A study into the state of democracy in Britain over the last decade warns it is in "long-term terminal decline" as the power of corporations keeps growing, politicians become less representative of their constituencies and disillusioned citizens stop voting or even discussing current affairs. By Juliette Jowit, political correspondentThe Guardian, Friday 6 July 2012 17.42 BST

Who thinks we live in a democracy? If you think about it, all we do is tick a box on a piece of paper every 5 years, when realistically we are only choosing 1 out of 2 people to be prime minister. Then consider that these governments largely ignore the opinion of the people and completely disregard their views on the basis that those in power 'know what's best' for the country.

The majority of the public did not want the wars in the Middle East, they did not want the bankers to get away with big bonuses, they did not want tuition fees.

When will we wake up and see that those in power have a mandate to do whatever they like, and our sham elections are merely a process of rotating the face of what can only be described as a dictatorship?

Comment by “Gareth” at www.studentroom.co.uk

Not everyone is happy with democracy in the UK!

Assessment : Do we truly have democracy in the modern times?

1. What is democracy?2. Why has fighting for democracy been so

important in the UK?3. How has the fight for democracy been

achieved?4. To what extent has democracy been

achieved?

Writing frame if neededOver the past two hundred years, people

have been fighting for democracy. Democracy is…..Fighting for democracy been so important in

the UK because ….In Britain there have been many methods

used to get the vote. For example one way has been …….. Another way has been …….

Overall in Britain today democracy has been fully / partly achieved. I think this because ……

Task

• You must answer the questions on the previous slide.

• This could be done as a series of paragraphs, leading to the construction of an essay.

• It could be a more visual display like a poster.• All 4 sub questions must be addressed fully in

order to reach the higher levels of attainment.

Do we truly have democracy in the modern times?

Now check that you have1. Described what democracy stands for2. Explained the type of democracy operating in

the UK3. Analysed the extent of democracy in the UK

and be weighing up why the fight for democracy has been so important