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MicrosoftWhat Is the History of the Development of Our Democratic Institutions and Norms?
The relationship among the institutions of our national government has changed significantly from the time of the founding to the present day. During the founding period, it was believed that the legislative branch would be incontestably the strongest branch of government. Today, both the executive and judicial branches are much stronger than the Founders had in mind, and Congress is much weaker. Although Congress has the authority to change this balance, it has failed to do so and has continued to cede power to the other branches of the national government. Some claim this poses a threat not only to representative democracy, but to democracy itself. There has also been an evolution of political and democratic norms essential to the healthy functioning of a democratic system. This video explains the importance of maintaining a balance of power between the three branches of government and how adherence to democratic norms is essential to the healthy functioning of a society.Introduction
Section 1: Governmental Institutions: Decline in Strength of Congress
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Section 2: Governmental Institutions: Rationale for Separation of Powers
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Section 3: Governmental Institutions: Congress and the Rationale for a Bicameral System
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Section 4: Governmental Institutions: Congress and the Relationship between the House and Senate
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Section 5: Governmental Institutions: Congress and Equal v Proportional Representation
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Section 6: Governmental Institutions: Majority or Minority Rule?
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Section 7: Governmental Institutions: Relationship between National and State Governments
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Section 8: Evolution of Democratic Norms: “Norms” Explained
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Section 9: Political Norms in Democratic and Authoritarian Systems
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Section 10: Political Norms, Political Culture, and American Society
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Section 11: Democratic Norms and the Principle of Freedom of the Press
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Section 12: Democratic Norms and the Principle of Freedom of Belief or Religion
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Section 13: Democratic Norms and the Right to Self-Determination
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Section 14: Democratic Norms and the Right to Political Equality
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Section 15: Democratic Norms and the Right to a Representative Democracy
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Section 16: Democratic Norms, Individual Rights, and the Common Good
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Section 17: Democratic Norms, Constitutional Government, and the Rule of Law
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Section 18: Democratic Norms, Mixed Economy, and Democracy
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Section 19: Support for Democratic Norms
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