Democratic ideals.

Definition

The core values and principles underlying democratic government, including individual liberty, equality, self-government, popular sovereignty, and the rule of law. These ideals, rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, are expressed in documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Examples

Real-world.

  • 1 'All men are created equal' from the Declaration of Independence expresses the ideal of equality
  • 2 The right to vote reflects the democratic ideal of popular sovereignty
  • 3 Freedom of speech and press are essential democratic ideals protected by the First Amendment
Related terms

Tangled up with.

Enlightenment → Constitutional principles → Purposes of government → Types of government →
Studied in

1 unit use this concept.

AP U.S. Government and Politics Foundations of American Democracy →