Core democratic values are
the basic beliefs that unite
all Americans. These values
are found in the Declaration
of Independence, the U.S.
Constitution and other
important documents of our
nation.
LIFE: An individual has the right to life, except in extreme
cases, such as when a person
is killed when threatening
the life of someone else.
LIBERTY: A person
has the freedom to act, to
think and to believe as
he/she wants without the
government interfering. This
includes the freedom to
believe what you want,
freedom to choose your own
friends, and to have your
own ideas and opinions, to
express your ideas in
public, the right for people
to meet in groups, the right
to have any lawful job or
business.
THE PURSUIT OF
HAPPINESS: A person has
the right to find happiness
in his/her own way as long
as he/she does not step on
the rights of others.
COMMON GOOD:
Citizens should work
together for the good of
all. The government should
make laws that are good for
everyone.
JUSTICE: All
people should be treated
fairly when correcting
wrongs or injuries and when
making decisions. All people
should be treated fairly. No
group should be favored.
EQUALITY: Everyone
should get the same
treatment regardless of
where their parents or
grandparents were born,
their race, their religion
or how much money they have.
Citizens all have political,
social and economic
equality.
DIVERSITY: In our
society, we respect variety
in culture and ethnic
background, race, lifestyle
and belief. Differences in
language, dress, food, where
parents/grandparents were
born, race and religion are
acceptable.
TRUTH: The
government and citizens
should not lie.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY:
The power of the government
comes from the people.
PATRIOTISM: We
should show respect and
loyalty to our country and
the core democratic values.
RULE OF LAW:
Everyone, including the
governmental officials, must
obey the law.
SEPARATION OF POWERS:
We have three branches of
government (Legislative,
Executive and Judicial).
Each has different members
and duties to balance the
power between them.
REPRESENTATIVE
GOVERNMENT: Citizens
elect others to represent
their interests in
government.
CHECKS AND BALANCES:
Different branches of the
government have equal powers
so that no branch can
dominate the others. Each
branch checks the power of
the other branches so no one
branch gets too much power.
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS:
Each individual in the
United States has certain
basic rights: Right to Life,
Liberty, Economic Freedom,
and the Pursuit of
Happiness. The government
must protect these rights.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION:
Citizens have the freedom to
choose whatever religion
they want to follow. They
also have the right to
follow no religion.
FEDERALISM: The
state and national
governments share power and
responsibilities.
CIVILIAN CONTROL OF
THE MILITARY: Civilian
(non-military) people should
be in charge of the
military.
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