Interact with HistoryInteract with History

On the news, you watch stories about protesters who On the news, you watch stories about protesters who demand more democratic freedom in their countries. Such demand more democratic freedom in their countries. Such demonstrations are taking place all over the world. Many demonstrations are taking place all over the world. Many times students lead the protests. These students have learned times students lead the protests. These students have learned about democracy through watching television or by attending about democracy through watching television or by attending schools in the West.schools in the West.

At school, you meet a foreign exchange students who At school, you meet a foreign exchange students who comes from a country that is controlled by a non-democratic comes from a country that is controlled by a non-democratic government. At lunch, the student asks you to explain what government. At lunch, the student asks you to explain what democracy is and how it works. democracy is and how it works.

1. What would you say?

Growth of Democracy in Today’s World

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2. What makes democracy work?

3. What rights and institutions are necessary for a government to be democratic?

4. How do citizens participate in a democracy? How can participation be encouraged?

5. What obstacles can prevent a democracy from succeeding?

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“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”

~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt

6. What does FDR mean when he says that voters are the ultimate rulers of our democracy? Do you agree?

The young man in the photo faced a line of tanks in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on June 5, 1989. The tanks were poised to attack students who sparked a powerful pro-democracy movement in China that spring. Ultimately, the government sent troops into the square to crush the uprising. Hundreds were reportedly killed and thousands injured. This was neither the first nor the last time that people have rebelled against tyranny.

7. Why would people risk their lives for 7. Why would people risk their lives for democracy?democracy?

8. How do the personal freedoms associated 8. How do the personal freedoms associated with democracy affect the quality of a with democracy affect the quality of a person’s life?person’s life?

9. Do people have an obligation to resist 9. Do people have an obligation to resist political oppression? Explain.political oppression? Explain.

10. How can people bring democracy into 10. How can people bring democracy into their lives?their lives?