For example, choose one of the statements at the start of the pre, vious page. Now look back at the two groups of people with differing views of human nature. How do you think each group might respond to the statement?

Many different ideologies exist within Canada - and around the world. These different sets of ideas and beliefs often lead to lively debates on civic issues.

Decision-Making Systems • Who should have authority to make decisions for a society?

• What process should be used to make decisions?

• How should citizens be involved in decision making?

Throughout the world, different groups of people have found differ, ent answers to these questions. The methods they use to make decisions reflect their ideologies, as well as various other factors. To understand how decisions might be made in different ways, it is useful to look at two distinct types of decision making: autocracy and democracy.

In countries that use autocratic decision making, one individual or just a few people make decisions for the rest of the members of their society. Individuals are expected to accept decisions made by the leaders. 11l.eir 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 the way public decisions are made. In some situations, leaders use force to control any opposition.

autocracy: A system of government in which a few ruLers have power to ma~e

decisions for the peopLe.

democracy: A system in which decisions are controLled by the peopLe. The term comes from the Greek words demo, meaning "people," and cracy, meaning "ruLe."

Autocratic governments often exist in countries that have been troubLed by unrest. Those citizens who support such gov­ernments hope that a powerfuL Leader wiLL bring strong and stabLe government.

What Are the Challenges of Decision Maki ng? 13

IMD",ng number of countries that generaLLy descri bed as 19 democratic jumped from in 1896 to roughly 100 in O.

--.... -­

In countries that use democratic decision making, individuals have a say in questions that affect them. They are expected to partic~

ipate in various ways. They are free to have differing views and goals. Individuals are also expected to act responsibly. This means that each person is expected to make choices, but must accept the conse­quences of those choices. Each person must also fulfil certain duties.

In reality, there are few countries with decision~makingsystems that are purely democratic or autocratic. Usually, there are some variations of both forms. In recent years, people in many autocratic countries have challenged their form of government, and more de~

mocratic systems have spread. Even so, those democratic systems take many different forms. In Canada, governments make decisions in a manner that respects democratic ideals and principles.

,pLe have fought for democracy, h in countries considered ocratic and those considered lOcratic. Left: Aung San Suu Kyi spoken out against the

ocratic government of Myanmar rma). Right: Martin Luther King the fight for civit rights in the ted States, a country considered le democratic.

BE Informed 1. What IS an ideology? How can

people's views influence their thoughts about how deCisions should be made and who should make them?

2. Make a Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI) chart to compare autocratic and democratic decision making. Which approach is more open to citizen participation? Why?

E~S THE I N QUI R INC CIT I ZEN

BE Purposeful 3. a) Do you agree or disagree with

the statements at the top of page 127 Give reasons For your views. b) In a small group, compare your responses. Identify which beliefs and values you share With the group, and which are unique to you. Discuss how your views might influence your ideas about a civic issue.

Me, A Citizen?

--- -Wh-atlDioes Democracy Mean?

The concept of democracy has captured the imagination of people

throughout history. It has been put into action in countries around the world. In the process, it has developed many different dimen~

sions. It can mean many things to many people.

Features of Democracy: AStudent Discussion

Tatjana: 1n a democracy, I have more freedom to say Jamal: To be fair, every­

what I think and do what I one must have equal

, want, without being afraid rights. Democracy. that the gov­ means no one

Fatema: Democracy ernment will gets special is about leaders list- punish me. treatment. ening to everyone equally and making decisions to benefit the majority of the people.

Jean-Pierre: Democracies must alsQ guarantee that mmnorities get equal treatmen.t.

Linda: I define democracy as a system where everybody's needs and abilities are taken into consideration and where effective debate can occur about public issues.

~

... Noah: Democracy for me is w01:king within a group of people to make decisions that will benefit as many people as possjble.

16 Me. A Citizen?

At one level, democracy is about personal freedom. At anomer level, democracy is about equality and social justice. Some of the beliefs central to democracy include:

• Citizens should have a voice in decision making.

• All citizens should be treated as equal.

• All citizens should have fundamental rights and freedoms.

• Citizens should have a sense of responsibility to other people in the community.

• Citizens should have a sense of what is socially just.

Origins of Democratic Decision~Making The kind of democratic decision making we practise in Canada is usually traced back to ancient Greece, in the middle of the fifth cen, tury BeE. Residents of the independent city states of the time were unhappy mat all important decisions were being made by a small group of privileged people. They began to rebel, insisting on being more involved in the decisions that. affected their lives.

The leaders of the city states began to listen to me views of citizens on important issues. Eventually, all native,bom free men over the age of 18 were allowed to participate in civic affairs. They had the right to vote, hold office, own property, and defend themselves in a court of law. They al~o had freedom of speech and freedom of ass~m, bly. These rights did not extend to women, foreigners, or slaves.

With rights came responsibilities. Citizens of Greek city states were expected to serve in the army, in the navy, and in courts of law. They were also expected to participate directly in the monthly meet~

ings of the governing body, the Assembly. At these meetings, they discussed public issues, decided on questions of public policy, and es, tablished laws. Many of the ideas about democracy that were intro, duced at this time continue today.

Through time, large, modem nation-states replaced the city states. As they did so, democratic decision making evolved through~

Out the world. Philosophers argued their ideas of what citizenship should mean. Democratic ideals spread. Groups of people in democ, ratic movements all over the world produced documents confitming their rights and freedoms as citizens.

What Does Ilemocracy Mean? 17

........... - .....

Infosource 1-6 SOME STEPS IN THE TI~ELINE OF DEMOCRACY

Below are some of the ideas and events th at have co ntr; buted to the development of deiTlocracy in many forms in different parts of, the world. Democracy conti nues to evolve indifferent forms around the globe.

c. 1750 BC~

Babylon (an ancient city in Mesopotamia, or present-day Iraq): The Code of King Hammurabi is created, the first known written code for its city members.

508 BCE

Athens: Democracy is established. Citizens are guaranteed the right to membership in the Assembly, freedom of speech, and equality before the law.

r..409 SCE

India: Public decisions are made by committees of citizens who vote in special assemblies.

1215 England: King John signs the Magna Carta, which states that no one, not even the king, is above the law.

£••1350 North America: The Iroquois Confederacy of five (later six) nations is founded, practising decision making by consensus (agreement).

1.776 United States: Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal" and that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed."

1789-1794

France: The French Revolution ends absolute monarchy (complete control by the king) and introduces Declaration of the Rights of Man, emphasizing liberty, equality, and fraternity.

19.J.~9

India: Mahatma Gandhi begins passive resistance campaign to win India's independence from Britain.

H48 The United Nations issues the UniversaL Declaration of Human Rights, defining basic rights that all people should have.

1982

Canada: Charter of Rights and Freedoms is added to Canada's Constitution.

1~9_0s

Pacific Asia: Asian-style democracies established in many cou ntri es in the area.

U94 South Africa: Democracy is established after a long fight against Apartheid, a poLicy that prevented Black citizens from voting.

T

18 Me, A Citizen?

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Democracy Today For much of human history, people were considered "subjects" of a nller, rather than "citizens" of a country. In modem society, respect for citizens and their rights is considered the most important founda~

tion for a democratic nation. As you have seen, there are more countries with a democratic

system of government than ever before. Some countrir;,s have been democracies for over a hundred years. Other democracies are new and fragile. Many societies in the world today are undergoing massive changes. Some countries that once proVided security, stability, and order - whether democratic or autocratic - are now facing less cer~

tain futures. In the democratic world, it is up to citizens to chart a course for the future.

~ THE INQUIRING CITIZEN

c) to what extent the process BE Informed was democratic 1. a) Examine the views on democ­ 4. a) What does it mean when

.£ racy given in Infosource 1-5. people say that democracy in

SummarIZe the ideas about Greek city states was "by the

democracy and democratic deci­ people"? Who was excluded sion making suggested In the

from the definition of "people"?dialogue.

b) How has our understandingb) With whose view do you

of "by the people" changed? agree the most? Why?

2. When you and your 'friends are BE Active planning to do something to­

5. Research one event shown ingether, do you make decisions in Infosource 1-6. Alter nat ive Iy, se-the way that Linda suggests in lect another event in a country Infosource 1-5? Provide an ex-of your choice that illustrates the

ample to support your answer. development of a democratic

3. Identify three decisions that system. In the role of a news re-were made in a group. or associ- porter at that time. write a brief ation to which you belong. article that describes the event Consider clubs, teams, classes, and its significance. Answer the and other social organizations. questions Who? What? When? For each decision, explain: Where? Why' and With what a) how the decision was made conseq uences? b) how you were involved in the decision-making process

What Does Democracy Mean? 19

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