Agenda

1. Agenda • 1) Take up Citizenship Quiz • 2) Decision Making in Society (PowerPoint Note) • 2) Check your understanding Questions (homework)

2. Citizenship Quiz • Trade papers with a partner and mark each others answers • Who scored 15-20 ? • Who scored 10-14 ? • Who scored less than 10 ? • Do you think that new Canadians should be required to pass this test in order to become citizens ? Why or Why not ?

3. Making Decisions • As a citizen you are part of many communities- your neighbourhood, city, province, nation, world • Communities work together to face challenges and find solutions • Every citizen is influenced by their community • What are the influences in your life? Who or what shapes your views, ideas, beliefs?

4. The Citizen’s Circle

5. Government • Governments: are formal structures created by communities to deal with more complex problems that can not be overcome by an individual or smaller groups • Governments provide: • major services (example- health care, social programs) • make decisions (example:laws) • enforce laws (fines, jail, policing, military) • The word government is latin for “to steer”

6. 4 Corners: For each of the statements below you will be asked to move to the corner that most reflects your point on view • 1) School boards should be allowed to decide what students wear • 2) Local governments should be allowed to make rules about curfews for teenagers • 3) Corporations should be allowed to advertise in public schools in return for providing schools with sports equipment • 4) Governments should censor music, movies and videos for profanity, violence and sexuality

7. Pluralist society • For each of the statements there was someone in the class who thought differently from you • Pluralist society: Canada is a pluralist society. This means we are made up of many groups, and we accept a range of opinions and values

8. Ideology • People have different beliefs and values about how society should be organized and who should make decisions for society • Two views: • 1) Some people believe that Human are naturally good • People should be allowed to pursue their goals without too many rules • These people suggest that everyone should be involved in decisions of public importance • 2) Some people believe that Human are naturally selfish and greedy • People should have very clear rules and laws to ensure discipline and stability • One person or a very small group who have a better ability to lead should make decisions

9. Autocratic vs. Democratic Decision Making • Autocratic Decision Making: • Found in countries where one individual or just a few people make decisions for the rest of the members of society. • Personal freedoms are limited. For example: they might not have the right to criticize their leaders openly. • Citizens have very little opportunity to participate in public life. • Leaders sometimes use force to stop opposition to their rule.

10. Autocracy vs. Democracy Decision Making • Democratic Decision Making: • Decisions are made by a majority vote • Individuals have a say in issues that affect them • They are expected to participate in various ways (voting, volunteering, etc.) • They are free to have different views and goals but are expected to act responsibly. REALITY: There are few countries with purely autocratic or democratic decision making systems

11. Consensus or Collaborative Decisions Making • In a consensus decision making process everyone in the group must agree before a decision is made • What are the challenges of trying to reach a consensus decision

12. Homework • Check your understanding questions