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 gov­
ernments 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 conse­
quences 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.
E~S
BE
THE I N QUI R INC CIT I ZEN
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?
Me, A Citizen?
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.
--- 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
what I think and do what I
, want, without being afraid
that the gov­
Fatema: Democracy
ernment will
is about leaders listpunish me.
ening to everyone
equally and making
decisions to benefit
the majority of the
people.
Jamal: To be fair, every­
one must have equal
rights. Democracy
means no one
gets special
treatment.
.
Jean-Pierre:
Democracies must
alsQ guarantee that
mmnorities get equal
treatmen.t.
16
Me. A Citizen?
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.
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
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.
.....
TI~ELINE
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
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
Confederacy of five
nations is founded,
decision making by
(agreement).
Iroquois
(later six)
practising
consensus
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."
18
Me, A Citizen?
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.
OF DEMOCRACY
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
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
BE
c) to what extent the process
was democratic
Informed
1. a) Examine the views on democ­
racy given in Infosource 1-5.
SummarIZe the ideas about
democracy and democratic deci­
sion making suggested In the
dialogue.
b) With whose view do you
agree the most? Why?
.£
4. a) What does it mean when
people say that democracy in
Greek city states was "by the
people"? Who was excluded
from the definition of "people"?
b) How has our understanding
of "by the people" changed?
BE
2. When you and your 'friends are
planning to do something to­
gether, do you make decisions in
the way that Linda suggests in
Infosource 1-5? Provide an example to support your answer.
Active
5. Research one event shown in
3. Identify three decisions that
were made in a group. or association to which you belong.
Consider clubs, teams, classes,
and other social organizations.
For each decision, explain:
a) how the decision was made
b) how you were involved in the
decision-making process
Infosou rce 1-6. Alter nat ive Iy, select another event in a country
of your choice that illustrates the
development of a democratic
system. In the role of a news reporter at that time. write a brief
article that describes the event
and its significance. Answer the
questions Who? What? When?
Where? Why' and With what
conseq uen ces?
19
What Does Democracy Mean?
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