4TNCTWeek1 Democratic Practices

• Democratic practices are a set of principles and practices that guide how people interact and work together every day to improve their community and to create a more just society
• Democratic practices


  Ways citizens can work together even when they disagree to address shared problems
• Democratic practices refer to variations on the things that happen every day in communities
• Constitutional government


  • The constitution is the supreme law of the land, it is the source of all government powers and also provides important limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of citizens
• Human rights


  The basic rights and freedom to which all humans are entitled
• Freedom of religion


  Principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, and worship observance
• Freedom of expression and media


  Covers freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and gives individuals and communities the right to articulate their opinions without fear of retaliation, censorship, or punishment
• Free and fair elections

  Free means that all those entitled to vote have the right to be registered and to vote and must be free to make their choice. Fair means that registered political parties have an equal right to contest the elections, campaign for voter support and hold meetings and rallies
• Freedom of information


  The right of every citizen to access official records, documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions
• Civil participation


  Any individual or group activity addressing issues of public concern, including communities working together or individuals working alone in both political and non-political actions to protect public values or make a change in the community
• A true democracy is where the voice of the people is heard
• In crisis situations


  Leaders should consolidate decision-making authority and promote psychological safety so people can openly discuss ideas, questions, and concerns without fear
• eGovernment (electronic government)


  Has been the dominant term used in policy making to improve public services and increase citizen participation
• Civil society can facilitate links at national and local levels between the community and the government


  This can increase the involvement of different groups to act as a watchdog over the state and monitor what the government is doing
• Good governance


  An approach to government that is committed to creating a system found in justice and peace that protects individual human rights and civil liberties

  
• Government information like COVID-19 total and active cases is delivered to citizens through Facebook, YouTube, and downloading documents to websites
• Citizens can interact to ask questions and make complaints to government issues on line
• ICT


  Provides tool for faster and more efficient public services
• Reform political system


  1. Civil society can facilitate links at national and local levels between the community and the government

  2. Increase the involvement of different groups to act as a watchdog over the state and monitor what the government is doing

  
• The aim of monitoring is to ensure that public policies are defended and implemented
• People's movements


  Create and enact political platforms on equality, justice, freedom participation, transparency, and monitoring reforms in institutional systems
• Factors of good governance

  • Participation
  • Rule of law
  • Transparency
  • Responsiveness
  • Consensus oriented
  • Equity and inclusiveness
  • Effectiveness
  • Efficiency
  • Accountability

  
• Participatory Democracy


  • A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to influence policy decisions
  • It emphasizes the broad participation of people in politics
• Initiatives and referendums


  • Ways in which local and state governments allow citizens to influence policy decisions
• Initiative


  A process that allow citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed laws on a ballot
• Popular referendum


  Allow voters to approve or repeal an act of the state legislature
• The United States of America adopted participatory democracy
• Representative Democracy


  Type of democracy in which the citizens of the state exercise their popular sovereignty through elected representatives
• The Philippines adopted representative democracy
• Civil Participation


  Any individual or group activity addressing issues of public concern
• Freedom of Information


  The right of the people to information on matters of public concern
• Freedom of Religion


  The principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice
• Constitution


  The supreme law of the land