The best and most talented are not always assured of the opportunities that democratic theory portends to offer them. Students are expected to learn the conditions under which democracy can function or become dysfunctional. Identify, state, and justify value judgments related to democratic institutions As students study and compare different forms of government, they are expected to understand the principles upon which the different governmental institutions, including democratic ones, are based. They will understand that democratic institutions can be considered the best form of government under certain conditions. But when poverty, disease, and illiteracy are highly in evidence democratic institutions are not likely to prosper or to properly operate.
Instability can be the outcome.
The counter-force to democracy is not always totalitarianism or dictatorship. Patrimonial rule has been found to work best in societies emerging from colonial rule. Students are expected to learn and understand the conditions under which patrimonies, autocracies, military dictatorships, meritocracies, pluralist regimes and totalitarian ones can emerge, be maintained and legitimized. Understand the implications of taking responsibility for the consequences of their own actions for democratic institutions One of the greatest nemeses of democracy is apathy. Students are expected to examine and assess this premise and to understand the consequences of their participation.