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Practice FRQ: Democracy
The simple definition of Democracy is rule by the many. However, the complexities of governance, as well as the
large number citizens living in modern states, require representative systems that distribute political power to a
manageable number of leaders and institutions rather than relying solely on popular consent.
A. List three principle characteristics of a Democracy (1 point each, definition is not required to earn a point)
Popular sovereignty: people entrusted with the ultimate power over government
Limited Government: powers of government bound by institutional checks
Universal Suffrage: Free elections, right of all adults to vote
Majority rule, Minority rights: rule of law based on majority decisions, protection
Competing political parties: acceptance of oppositional and peripheral ideologies
B. Explain the Difference between direct democracy and representative democracy. (1 point each)
C. Explain at least two reasons the Framers of the Constitution preferred representative democracy to direct
democracy. (1 point each must indicate how each would result from direct participation)
D. Identify what is meant by majoritarian politics. Using two theories of elite influence, describe whether the
distribution of power in a representative government is truly democratic by contrast.
(1 point) Majoritarian politics elected officials are the delegates of the people, acting as the people