Democratic Societies: Social Studies Dictionary - Democratic Societies

Definition and meaning of Democratic Societies

Democratic Societies

A democracy is a form of government in which the citizens are involved in making decisions either directly by voting or indirectly through their elected representatives. There are different types of democratic societies which emerge based on the type of governance: 1) A direct democracy is a government in which citizens vote directly on each issue. in such societies, citizens take a more active role in making decisions but the process may appear disorderly due to the broad base of public involvement. 2) A representative democracy is a government in which people elect representatives to manage the country and make laws. In such societies, citizens divest some of their decision making ability in the hands of the elected. This provides more order in society but limits the voice of the citizenry. 3) The United States is a liberal democracy, that is, a democracy based on the protection of individual rights and on the consent of the governed to establish political authority. In such a society, government responds to the needs of its citizens because a nonresponsive government looses support and may cease to exist. 4) The United States is also a constitutional democracy because the U.S. Constitution established a limited government in order to protect individual rights and promote the common good. In such a society, a balance exists between power afforded to the citizens and that afforded to the government.

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The meaning of Democratic Societies is an excerpt from Texas Education Agency - The Social Studies Center at Texas University:

"The Social Studies Center (2000-2003) was the successor to the Social Studies Center for Educator Development, which was funded by the Texas Education Agency from 1997 - 2000. The Texas Education Agency awarded a grant to Educational Service Center Region VI in Huntsville, in collaboration with Texas A&M University in College Station and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, to create a social studies center for professional development in curriculum and assessment."

See the website here: http://www.tea.state.tx.us

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Also see: Democratic Societies

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