Teaching Democracy & Diversity:A Summer Seminar for Caribbean Teachers

University of South Florida

Lesson PlanCreated by: Jose A. Esquea

Title:

What Does Democracy Mean to You?

Concept/Main Idea of Lesson

The students will learn about democracy, what it means, and how it has attempted to meet the needs of both individuals and nations.

Intended Grade Level

This lesson is designed to for High School students, grades 9-12

Infusion/Subject Area(s)

Social Sciences, Government, Civics

Instructional Objectives

The students will:

analyze the advantages and disadvantages of democracy; analyze the basic principles and concepts of democracy; evaluate the ways in which democracy benefits individuals.

Learning Activities Sequence:

A. Set induction/Lesson Initiating Behavior

Use the “think-pair-share” strategy to have students generate a list of advantages and disadvantages of democracy.

B. Learning Activities:

1. Divide the class into pairs. Have each pair analyze a picture that exemplifies the meaning of democracy.

2. Using a projector, explain the word map of democracy.3. Have students match their pictures with the appropriate term on the word map.

4. The students will discuss and explain how each of the following terms relates to democracy: freedom, equity, peace, respect, solidarity, choice, opportunity, dignity, work, tolerance and understanding.

5. Use students’ responses to conduct a whole-class discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy.

6. Conduct a “read aloud” using the reading titled, Advantages and Disadvantages of Democracy.

7. Help students understand that every form of government is bound to have shortfalls, but democracy stresses specific ideals and concepts that allows power to rest with the governed.

8. Use a transparency of the Basic Concepts of Democracy Lecture Notes to conduct a brief lecture on the five basic concepts of democracy: worth of the individual, equality of all persons, majority rule and minority rights, the necessity of compromise, and individual freedom.

C. Closure:

Summarize the topic of democracy and have students generate a list of opportunities they have personally experienced due to democracy.

Evaluation:

The students will complete one of the following:

1. Write an acrostic poem using one or more of the terms from the democracy word map.

2. Write a reaction (minimum of 10 sentences) expressing your opinion on how a democracy can best serve the individual needs of citizens.

Materials and Resources:

Prepared Transparency of Democracy Word Map Pictures representing/defining democracyPrepared transparency of the Basic Concepts of Democracy Lecture NotesReading Handout - Advantages and Disadvantages of Democracy.

References

Wringer, C. (1984). Schooling and political education. Australia: George Allen.

Cruz, B. C., & Thornton, S. J. (2009). Teaching social studies to english language learners . New York, NY: Routeledge.

(2009, May 06). Human rights. Retrieved from America.gov on facebook

http://www.whc.net/irish/government/lectures/01-3lec.htm

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-democracy.html

http://www.cis.hut.fi/research/som-research/worldmap.gif

What is Democracy?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Democracy

In the words of Oscar Wilde, "Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people". True, democracy is a form of government wherein the supreme power is in the hands of the people. The word ‘democracy’ hails from the Greek word meaning ‘popular government’. Let us look at the definition of democracy and its advantages and disadvantages.

Definition of Democracy

Democracy, by definition, is a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them. It can also be defined as the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives. What are the advantages and disadvantages of democracy? Let us find out.

Advantages of Democracy

Democracy can provide for changes in government without violence. In a democracy, power can be transferred from one party to another by means of elections. The jurisdiction of the citizens of a nation determines its ruling authority.

Moreover, any government is bound by an election term after which it has to compete against other parties to regain authority. This system prevents monopoly of the ruling authority. The ruling party has to make sure it works for its people for it cannot remain being the authority after completing its term unless re-elected by the people.

This brings in a feeling of obligation towards the citizens. The ruling authorities owe their success in the elections to the citizens of the nation. This results in a feeling of gratefulness towards the people. It can serve as their motivation to work for the people for it is the common masses that have complete power over choosing their government.

Another important advantage of democracy is that the people gain a sense of participation in the process of choosing their government. They get the opportunity to voice their opinions by means of electoral votes. This gives rise to a feeling of belongingness in the minds of the people towards their society.

Disadvantages of Democracy

In a democratic nation, it is the citizens who hold the right to elect their representatives and their governing authorities. According to a common observation, not all the citizens are fully aware of the political scenario in their country. The common masses may not be aware of the political issues in society. This may result in people making the wrong choices during election.

As the government is subject to change after every election term, the authorities may work with a short-term focus. As they have to face an election after the completion of each term, they may lose focus on working for the people and rather focus on winning elections.

Another disadvantage of democracy is that mobs can influence people. Citizens may vote in favor of a party under the influence of the majority. Compelled or influenced by the philosophies of those around, a person may not voice his/her true opinion.

Every form of government is bound to have some shortfalls. Different people have different views about the various political systems. The advantages and disadvantages of any political system have to be weighed carefully in order to arrive at any conclusion.

By Manali OakPublished: 11/13/2008

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-democracy.html

The Basic Concepts of Democracy

Lecture Notes

A. Fundamental Worth of the Individual

1.  Democracy insists on the worth and dignity of all. Each individual is a separate and distinct being. 

2.  Sometimes the welfare of one person must be subordinated to the interest of the many. People can be forced to do certain things whether they want to or not. For example, individuals must obey traffic signals, pay taxes, go to school, etc.

3.  When people are forced to do something, it is serving the interest of many individuals, representing society.

B. Equality of All Persons

1.  Democracy insists on equality of opportunity, not necessarily equality of condition.

2.  Democracy insists on equality before the law. 

3.  No person should be held back for reasons of race, color, culture, religion or gender.

C. Majority Rule and Minority Rights 

1.  Democracy argues that the majority will be right more often and wrong. The majority have a "right" to be wrong. Thus, the majority rule is the popular rule.

2.  Democracy searches for satisfactory solutions to public problems. It can be a trial and error process. Democracy recognizes that seldom is any solution to a public problem so satisfactory that it cannot be improved upon.

3.  The majority must recognize the right of the minority, by fair and lawful means, to become the majority. The majority must always be willing to listen to a minority's argument, to hear its objections, to bear its criticisms, and welcome its suggestions.

D. Necessity for Compromise

Compromise Defined: The process of reconciling competing views and interests in order to find the position most acceptable to the largest number. 

1.  Compromise allows citizens to make public decisions. To reconcile competing views. Must compromise if all are truly seen as equal, and public policy

questions seldom are presented in two simple sides.

2.  Compromise is not an end in itself but a means to reach a public goal. Not all compromises are good, and not all are necessary. 

E. Individual Freedom

1.  Freedom cannot be absolute, or anarchy will result. Democracy does not and cannot insist on complete freedom. Anarchy leads to rule by the strongest, best armed, and the ruthless.

Anarchy Defined: The total absence of government. 

2.  American democracy strives to strike a balance between liberty and authority. Democracy insists that each individual must be as free to do as he or she pleases as far as the freedom of all will allow.

© McClenaghan, William A., Magruder's American Government. Needham, MA: Prentice Hall, 1996

http://www.whc.net/irish/government/lectures/01-3lec.htm