democracy lesson 3

• Democratic participation


  Provides the constituents opportunity to influence public decisions and to be a component in the democratic decision-making process
• Democratic participation


  • Voting or electing leaders
  • Joining volunteer programs (e.g., educating homeless children)
  • Initiating political movements (e.g., raising awareness about social issues)
• Benefits of Democratic Participation


  • Better governance
  • Greater social unity
  • Transparency in governance and open communication between the government and the citizens lead to greater trust and harmony within the state
  • When the government understands the needs of the people, programs and projects for public service will improve, and issues will be addressed directly
  • The government units and departments can give support to private institutions and companies that have projects that are aligned with the development program of the country
• Democratic equality


  An "ideal of justice as sufficiency." It means that every member of society has basic rights and access to opportunities, resources, and assistance that will allow them to become fully functioning members of society
• Egalitarianism


  Used to describe the conditions of democratic equality where citizens treat and relate with each other as equals
• Components of Democratic Equality


  • Equality of citizens within the democratic structure
  • Distributive justice
  • The satisfaction of the ideals of social equality
• Equality of Citizens Within the Democratic Structure of Society


  The government and its structure should help maintain equality among its constituents through the practice of distributive justice
• Distributive Justice


  Ensures that all citizens are afforded the rights, opportunities, and resources that allow them to function well in society and fulfill their aspirations
• The Satisfaction of the Ideals of Social Equality


  The ideals of social equality are maintained and fulfilled when every citizen believes that other people are fundamentally equal to them. Citizens who live by these ideals exercise respect for other individuals and their preferences
• The majority rule is the basis of making public decisions in a democracy, but it is only acceptable and valid as long as it is not practiced for oppression. The majority, regardless of their advantage, should not deprive the minority of their rights and freedom. Minority rights need to be protected to ensure they too are able to fully participate in their country's democratic institutions
• Minorities


  Classified based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, or cultural background
• Major Concerns of Minorities Worldwide


  • Survival and existence
  • Promotion and protection of the identity of minorities
  • Equality and non-discrimination
  • Effective and meaningful participation
• Non-discrimination and equality before the law are two of the basic principles of international human rights law. The principle of non-discrimination prohibits direct or indirect distinction, exclusion, restriction, or maltreatment of the minorities
• Effective and meaningful participation of minorities in political, economic, social, and cultural life is essential in the preservation of their identity in society. If minority groups can actively participate in various activities, they will have the opportunity to socialize and collaborate with other citizens
• In today's time, people have access to information from all over the world. In the 21st century, the global community has continued to transform in terms of social structures and culture. Resources remain important to society and humans
• Four spheres that determine new social structures in society


  • Social
  • Informational
  • Organizational
  • Technical
• Harmonious democracy or spheral democracy


  Formed when the four spheres (social, informational, organizational, and technical) are balanced within a society or state
• Social Sphere


  Includes the human capital of the state. The human resources of a state include its citizenry, specifically those who are actively part of the labor force, whether they are within the state or working abroad
• Informational Sphere


  Focuses on providing universal access to informational resources, allowing the citizenry to unite through shared knowledge. By having access to information, citizens are able to form their identities and share their ideas with other people
• Organizational Sphere


  Includes the political, military, managerial, and legal structure of a state. This allows the state to operate efficiently and with purpose in order to serve its citizenry better
• Technical Sphere


  Includes the material and economic resources of the state. These are the resources that provide for the needs of the citizenry and the state, such as food, clothing, and shelter. These may include natural resources, infrastructure, and other material resources