A look at Democracy

1. A look at Democracy *copy all the definitions that are green*

2. Review what we know….. • What does a democratic government look like? • Pros & Cons

3. Enemies of democracy • People that do not care about their responsibilities as citizen • Reasons: • Do not care • Do not understand how democracy works • Do not understand why it is important to their lives

4. Enemies of democracy • “In the election for student council president, I’ll just vote for the first name that I recognize. I don’t have time to look into the issues” • “My family already pays taxes for garbage collection. Why should I bother with recycling?” • “My family and I come first. We have our own set of beliefs, and we don’t need the government to make laws telling us what is right and wrong.” • “Those people are always protesting something. The police should just arrest them.”

5. Enemies of democracy (Journal) • Explain why these actions and beliefs could have a negative impact on the way democracy works in your community. • What arguments might you use to convince the person to change his or her views?

6. Elements of Democracy • Rule of Law • Everyone must follow the same laws. Laws should be known, predictable, and impartial. Even the government is subject to the law. • Political Equality • Every citizen has the same right to vote and run for office and to speak on public issues. • Common Good • Democratic citizens should work towards the common good. They should have a sense of responsibility and caring for others. • Personal Freedoms • People enjoy many personal freedoms (i.e. Religion, expression, etc.).

7. Elements of Democracy • Human Dignity • Protect and uphold the dignity of all people. • Political Freedoms • People can speak freely, form associations, run for office, and vote without being intimidated. • Being Informed and Getting Involved • Ability to communicate openly and participate individually and collectively in issues that shape their community, county, and world. • Respect • Respect the rights and freedoms of all.

8. Elements of Democracy • Which elements of democracy do you think are the most important? Why? • Which elements to you rely on every day? How? • Are there any elements that you think aren’t necessary? Why or why not. • What do you think happens when someone is denied these elements? • What should happen to someone who tries to deny another person these elements?

9. Conflict resolution • Often people will disagree about what they want or need • Options are physical or verbal • Physical ends in violence • Problems can be solved through discussion, verbal persuasion or consensus building

10. Conflict resolution - verbal • Consensus Buildings • A process by which a group makes a decision only when everyone is in agreement • Negotiation • Both parties discuss the issues and try to resolve differences, being careful to avoid negative, blaming language. Usually both parties have to give up on some of their demands in order to reach a compromise • Mediation • A third party helps both parties arrive at a solution to the conflict

11. Conflict resolution - verbal • Arbitration • A third party is given the power to decide the outcome of a conflict • Conciliation • A third party clearly defines both the points of agreement and the points of difference that must be resolved to end the conflict

12. Democratic decision making • In every society there will be different views about how needs should be met • Democratic decision making values all people equally • The rights of all citizens are respected equally • Only successful if people have the skills and attitudes to work together to resolve conflict • Those involved must be able to express their ideas but also listen and consider the ideas of others

13. Democratic decision making • Basic Principles of Democratic Decision Making • Each person has something positive to offer, and each person has something positive to gain • Each person must be accountable for his or her actions • Each person in a group must participate in some equal way • There must be a method for reaching the decision • A decision must be made

14. Rosemary brown • Politician, teacher & social worker • Fought for equality for all Canadians • Her work helped pass a new Human Rights Code so that everyone would be treated fairly • First Black women elected to provincial legislature in Canada • First woman to run for the leadership of a federal political party (NDP) in 1975 • Named Officer of the Order of Canada in 1996

15. Creating A Democracy Working in groups of 4-5, you are to create an ideal government in response to the following scenario: • As a result of a maritime disaster, four thousand people have found themselves indefinitely stuck on an island. 25% of the population is under the age of twelve. 25% of the population is between twelve and seventeen years of age. Everyone else on the island is eighteen or older. While there is no means of escaping the island, the natural resources are sufficient that everyone will have enough to eat for as long as " on average they all work six hours a day. Each person who does not work six hours a day has their share of the food-gathering and -growing duties handled by the remaining islanders. You need to explain how you will address the following factors: how laws and decisions will be established, how laws will be enforced and decisions implemented, how leaders are to be selected, and what powers and responsibilities leaders are to be given. You also need to state 5 important laws that the islanders would create. • You will present your creation to the class. In a democratic fashion, the class will vote for the group that comes up with the best solution with an edible prize being awarded to the winning group.