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What is democracy?
Contents
Introduction What is democracy? If not democracy, what? Power to the people The peasants are revolting! Born free A vote for the Tea Party Vive la révolution What about us? Paid to argue Join the party! Can I persuade you? Democracy in danger Glossary Index
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Introduction
Imagine your class can go on a special trip and there are two options: a wildlife park or a space centre. How could you choose fairly where to go?
You might think the best way would be to vote on it. Everyone could choose which trip they prefer. People might have a few days trying to persuade others to vote for their favourite. Then you go to the place that gets most votes. You would all have to agree to go with the majority vote. Those who didn’t get the trip they wanted would have to wait until the next trip for another chance to choose.
That’s how democracy works. Most people think it’s the fairest way not just of choosing a school trip, but governing a whole nation. Living in a democracy gives people a say in what happens. Living without democracy generally means having no say in what happens to you. That doesn’t sound too good, does it?
