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19 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

Common Good

The well-being of people in a community or society in terms of justice, fairness, prosperity, and respect for human rights and the environment.

Citizen

A person who lives in a city, town, or country, and who is legally allowed to have the rights and freedoms of the place in which he or she lives.

Rights

Privileges recognized and protected by the law.

Responsibilites

Tasks duties that an individual is required or expected to carry out.

A good citizen is...

INFORMED: Someone who knows the facts- Someone who is knowledgeable about democratic decision making and what it means to be a responsible citizen in a global, national and local context.


PURPOSEFUL: Someone who is aware of their role in society - Someone who understands the role of the citizen, the personal values and perspective of others, and reflects upon their thoughts and actions.


ACTIVE: Someone who is applying their knowledge to do something meaningful- Someone who can think critically about issues of civic importance and working with others to make a difference.

Community

A collection of people who have a shared identity and a sense of responsibility to other members of the community. The shared identity can be based on common values, language, religion, etc.

Why Does Community Matter?


(5 benefits)

1. When physical communities are well desgined for walkability, housing and so on, they provide a better quality for life.


2. Communities can unite their members and provide a feeling of belonging.


3. Strong communities listen to all of their members to make good decisions.


4. A community can help its members access opportunites in education, the local economy and politics.


5. A community can connect its members to a diversity of cultures, traditions, values and perspectives.

Civic Action

Legal, non-violent action to protect rights, promote the common good, or work toward a solution to a problem.

Why do people engage in civic participation?


(3 Reasons)

1. You (people) notice that a certain group's voice is not being valued or respected, so you take action to support that group or provide a place for them to speak.


2. There is a threat to safety in your community (e.g., violence or harm to environment), so you participate in groups that act to protect the community.


3. You see a specific problem and you have an idea about how to fix it, so you bring people together to advocate for that solution.

How to Participate In Your Community

Online Discussions


-Send information through social networking sites


-Blog about political or civic issues


-Participate in an online group


Offline Discussions


-Have a face-to-face or phone discussion


-Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper on a civic issue


- Organize a public event or meeting


Activism


-Sign a petition


-Boycott/"buycott" a product


-Participate in a protest


Community Involvement


-Donate to a cause


-Volunteer time and effort


Political Involvement


-Attend political meeting


-Volunteer in an election


Community Involvement


Political Involvement

Types of Government

Oligarchy: Rule by elite few (1 party i.e. China)


Autocracy: One ruler (monarchy i.e. medival England or dictatorship i.e. Nazi Germany)


Democracy: Rule of the people (i.e. Canada)

Origins of Democracy

- Ancient Athens (5th century BCE)


- Direct Democracy: Every citizen sits together to make decisions


- All male citizens had rights, freedoms, and duties (i.e. vote, own property, defence themselves in court, freedom of speech, must join army, navy and sit on juries)


- Women, slaves, and foreigners were not citizens

Democracy Today

-Representative Democracy:


Citizens elect leaders who make decisions on their behalf


-Constitution:


Legal document that defines the rights, freedoms, and duties of all citizens


-Elections:


Happen on a regular basis (i.e. every 4 years in Canada)

Principles of a Modern Democracy

- Rule of Law


- Independent Courts


- Freedom of Expression


- Freedom of the Press


- Free Elections


- Representative & Responsible Political Parties


- Respect for Minority Rights


*Check Civics Binder for Detailed Version

The Political Spectrum

Purpose: The political spectrum is to show the differences in beliefs and ideologies (communism, capitalism, liberalism, fascism, etc.). The main issues that position a person's attitude on the spectrum include:


- Speed of change in a society


- Freedom of individual versus security of group


- Sharing of wealth through social benefits

Left Wing

- Supports change in order to improve welfare of all citizens


- Government should play a larger role in people's lives (social services, benefits)


- Law and order are important to protect rights of all citizens fairly and equally


- More freedom to individuals and less power to police

Centre

- Tradition is important but change is supported if most people want it


- Government should play a role only in that it improves the lives of citizens


- Law and order are important to encourage and protect the right of individuals

Right Wing

- Tradition is important and change should be treated with caution


- Government should play a little role in the economy


- Private business should ensure needs of citizens are met


- Emphasis of law and order to protect society and its traditions


- Less freedom to individuals and more power to police

The Spectrum

Left Wing


Communist


Socialist


Centre


Democratic


Conservative


Right Wing


Fascist


*For examples; check Civics Binder