AMERICAN DEMOCRACY - What’s the Value of Voting?

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo

“AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: What’s the Value of Voting?” presents a discussion guide on why democratic self-government depends on informed, thoughtful participation. It contrasts democracy with autocracy using concepts of “consent of the governed,” explains how elections choose representatives, and emphasizes civic duty as election day approaches. The text traces democratic heritage from ancient Greece and early American founding documents to Washington’s Farewell Address, urging citizens to keep democracy from perishing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY:

What’s the Value of Voting?

Our Heritage

Vital Issues MARYGROVE COLLEGE LIBRAR) "A DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR DETROIT,MICHIGAN BETTER INFORMED AMERICANS” D0 PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE Published by the CENTER FOR INFORMATION ON AMERICA WASHINGTON,CONNECTICUT Volume VI,Number 1 # AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: What's the Value of Voting? "Four score and seven years ago"—said Lincoln at Gettys-burg—"our fathers brought forth on this continent a newnation,conceived in Liberty,and dedicated to the propositionthat all men are created equal.” Now it is nine score and more years ago since the foundersof the Republic,rebelling against the tyranny of control fromoutside,launched our great experiment in democratic self-gov-ernment. During these many years,we as the citizens of a mightynation have become more than ever convinced that democracyis by far the best form of government under which to insurea better existence for all. Our democracy has been so successful,in fact,and become so well established over the years that we're inclined to take it almost for granted. We better not! Because the tyranny of dictatorship continues a major threatin the world,with much of mankind still denied the privilegeof democratic self-government,this is no time to relax on thejob of attending to our duties and privileges as American citi- On account of the very nature of the form of governmentwhich we cherish(but sometimes grow careless about)it'smost certainly and entirely up to us,the living—as Lincolnwarned—to make sure that “government of the people,by thepeople,and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” As election day approaches,the most immediate of our du-ties and privileges is to see to it that we choose wisely thosefellow citizens we wish to represent us in the functions ofgovernment which our Constitution has set up.It's at electiontime that we're the judge and jury.If our choices for officeare to be truly representative,all qualified voters should getout and vote. Obviously our vote should be based on an informed andthoughtful appraisal of the candidates and issues.And obvious-ly there's a great deal more to government of,by,and for thepeople than voting. As President George Washington put it in his FarewellAddress:"It is of infinite moment that you should properlyestimate the immense value of your national union to yourcollective and individual happiness."Properly to estimate it,let's take another look at our heritage.Let's consider thoseprinciples and practices of governing ourselves which ourpeople through the generations have built up and have beenwilling to defend with their lives in order to insure for them-selves and their children the best chance for life,liberty,andthe pursuit of happiness. What do we need to know and do in order more and moreeffectively to practice self-government? OUR HERITAGE The Declaration of Independence maintains that in orderto secure the rights of life,liberty,and the pursuit of happi-ness,...governments are instituted among men,derivingtheir just powers from the consent of the governed.” The words,"consent of the governed,"point up the differ-ence between autocracy and democracy. Autocracy means absolute rule from the top,without thosebelow having any legitimate power or say.In democracy,weourselves are the source of power. Government of the people,by the people,and for the peopleis guaranteed by our type of voting.Through our votes wepick or fire the representatives who carry on for us the businessof government. When we,the people,ratified our Constitution in 1789 to"form a more perfect union,establish justice,insure domestictranquility,provide for the common defense,promote thegeneral welfare,and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselvesand our posterity,"modern democracy got going in a reallybig way. But let's recall that over 2000 years earlier,in several of theirsmall independent cities like Athens,the ancient Greeks alsoreached that broad degree of civilization and education whichmakes it p

FAQs

Why does the guide emphasize voting during election season?

It argues that voting is the most immediate duty and privilege as election day approaches, because it determines which qualified representatives govern on behalf of the people.

How does the guide distinguish democracy from autocracy?

It states that autocracy is absolute rule from the top, while democracy is rooted in the people as the source of power through the consent of the governed.

What does the guide suggest citizens must know and do to practice self-government effectively?

It encourages informed and thoughtful appraisal of candidates and issues, and it calls citizens to uphold civic duties and the principles embedded in democratic heritage.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo