Comments on: New Video – Representative Government http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/ Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:15:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Libertarian: Why I am neither a Democrat nor a Democrat http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1114 The Libertarian: Why I am neither a Democrat nor a Democrat Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:15:22 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1114 [...] Republic Despotism And Democracy – Democracy Vs Republic – Two Videos &l.. New Video – Representative Government | A More Perfect Blog Can-You-Hear-Us-Now!: REPUBLIC vs. DEMOCRACY If we are ignorant, we will lo.. Patriot Camp 2011 - [...] [...] Republic Despotism And Democracy – Democracy Vs Republic – Two Videos &l.. New Video – Representative Government | A More Perfect Blog Can-You-Hear-Us-Now!: REPUBLIC vs. DEMOCRACY If we are ignorant, we will lo.. Patriot Camp 2011 – [...]

]]> By: CrazyTrain http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1113 CrazyTrain Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:07:53 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1113 This is not very good. "Representative democracy" does NOT equal "Republic." Just because they both start with "Rep" does not make them the same thing. A Republic is a public government (res publicae) where sovereignty is in the public; this contrasts with a monarcy where sovereignty is in a person. Thus, Rome was a Republic when it got rid of its Kings in 500 BC (or so). A Republic, however, can have direct democracy or representative democracy or no democracy at all and be a dictatorship. Still a republic because there is no king and sovereignty at least theoretically still resides in the people and not in a royal house or person. A monarchy too can have direct democracy or representative democracy or no democracy at all. Great Britain is clearly a monarchy but it still has representative democracy and some direct democracy. But sovereignty still resides in the Queen and her heirs. See also Spain. Saudi Arabia, however, is a monarchy that is not democratic -- the King exercises full control. Again, this video is just wrong -- we are a Republic because we don't have a king. The federal government is (for the most part) a representative democracy because we elect representatives. But the fact that California has direct democracy for important things does not mean that its flag -- which reads "California Republic" -- is fraudulent. It is still a Republic, because it has no king. Get it right. This is not very good. “Representative democracy” does NOT equal “Republic.” Just because they both start with “Rep” does not make them the same thing. A Republic is a public government (res publicae) where sovereignty is in the public; this contrasts with a monarcy where sovereignty is in a person. Thus, Rome was a Republic when it got rid of its Kings in 500 BC (or so).

A Republic, however, can have direct democracy or representative democracy or no democracy at all and be a dictatorship. Still a republic because there is no king and sovereignty at least theoretically still resides in the people and not in a royal house or person.

A monarchy too can have direct democracy or representative democracy or no democracy at all. Great Britain is clearly a monarchy but it still has representative democracy and some direct democracy. But sovereignty still resides in the Queen and her heirs. See also Spain. Saudi Arabia, however, is a monarchy that is not democratic — the King exercises full control.

Again, this video is just wrong — we are a Republic because we don’t have a king. The federal government is (for the most part) a representative democracy because we elect representatives. But the fact that California has direct democracy for important things does not mean that its flag — which reads “California Republic” — is fraudulent. It is still a Republic, because it has no king.

Get it right.

]]> By: A Bit Of Background, Republics VS Democracy | Extrano's Alley, a gun blog http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1112 A Bit Of Background, Republics VS Democracy | Extrano's Alley, a gun blog Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:16:30 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1112 [...] Thanks to a link at the Volokh Conspiracy here is a five minute overview of the difference between a democracy and a republic: [...] [...] Thanks to a link at the Volokh Conspiracy here is a five minute overview of the difference between a democracy and a republic: [...]

]]> By: Bill of Rights Institute Video on Republic v. Democracy - I Hate Paypal » I Hate Paypal http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1111 Bill of Rights Institute Video on Republic v. Democracy - I Hate Paypal » I Hate Paypal Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:14:34 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1111 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Kirsten http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1110 Kirsten Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:05:25 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1110 How can I download this video to use in my Govt. class? We don't have internet access. Thanks! How can I download this video to use in my Govt. class? We don’t have internet access.

Thanks!

]]> By: yazi http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1109 yazi Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:35:34 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1109 Okay, so the founders didn't create a democracy. We knew that already since there was no right to vote (and women and non-whites weren't allowed to vote). But they also didn't forbid a democracy. Thankfully, we have since attempted to create (an imperfect) one. So now we have a constitutional representative democratic republic. What's the problem? Why so touchy about using the word democracy? Okay, so the founders didn’t create a democracy. We knew that already since there was no right to vote (and women and non-whites weren’t allowed to vote). But they also didn’t forbid a democracy. Thankfully, we have since attempted to create (an imperfect) one. So now we have a constitutional representative democratic republic. What’s the problem? Why so touchy about using the word democracy?

]]> By: Bobbie http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1108 Bobbie Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:56:46 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1108 I don't like having to watch a video, I would prefer to READ. Is there a booklet or something that gives the same information that the video does? I don’t like having to watch a video, I would prefer to READ. Is there a booklet or something that gives the same information that the video does?

]]> By: Chris Belch http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1107 Chris Belch Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:35:43 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1107 I though the video was very useful. I like that it is flashy, upbeat, and uses current television footage that students are likely to see on tv. Its current, relevant, and well laid out. While I wouldn't use it to exclusively teach a lesson, I think it makes a nice video to use as an introduction or an end of the unit review. Maybe I’m guessing here, but I think it was meant to be a springboard for your lessons and not something to take the place of a teacher. Great job as ususal! I though the video was very useful. I like that it is flashy, upbeat, and uses current television footage that students are likely to see on tv. Its current, relevant, and well laid out.

While I wouldn’t use it to exclusively teach a lesson, I think it makes a nice video to use as an introduction or an end of the unit review.

Maybe I’m guessing here, but I think it was meant to be a springboard for your lessons and not something to take the place of a teacher.

Great job as ususal!

]]> By: William Chenausky http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1106 William Chenausky Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:28:38 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1106 agreed. agreed.

]]> By: The Bill of Rights Institute http://billofrightsinstitute.org/blog/2011/09/08/new-video-representative-government/#comment-1105 The Bill of Rights Institute Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:47:13 +0000 http://blog.billofrightsinstitute.org/?p=1750#comment-1105 Thank you for your comments, Theresa and "tmmartin". Those are great discussion questions you suggest. We've recently posted a viewing guide and we hope you find it a valuable resource to go along with the video. Though we all teach the Constitution on Constitution Day, we hope we can help you find ways to bring the Founding documents into your classroom all year long!" Thank you for your comments, Theresa and “tmmartin”. Those are great discussion questions you suggest. We’ve recently posted a viewing guide and we hope you find it a valuable resource to go along with the video. Though we all teach the Constitution on Constitution Day, we hope we can help you find ways to bring the Founding documents into your classroom all year long!”

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