Student Councils across EuropeCOMENIUSCOMENIUS PROJECT 2012-2014 PROJECT 2012-2014

2nd meeting 17th-21st March Cassino ItalyITIS ‘’E.Majorana’’Cassi

no

Democracy vs Meritocracy

what is Democracy?

Democracy is a government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly or through their freely elected representatives.

what is Meritocracy?

Meritocracy is a form of government where any role that requires responsibility towards others, are assigned according to merit, and not to nepotism or membership to lobbies and wealthy social classes.

Our Constitution

The Italian Constitution

takes into consideration both principles in the following articles:Article 1 Article 34 Article 49

Article 1

Italy is a Democratic Republic founded on labour. Sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by the peoplein the forms and within the limits of the Constitution.

what kind of government … in Italy?

a Representative Democracy, where:

Citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.

The electorate can get rid of unsatisfactory rulers and replace them with others at the end of their term of office.

Article 34

Schools are open to everyone.

Primary education, which is imparted for at least eight years, is compulsory and free.Capable and deserving pupils, including those without adequate finances, have the right toattain the highest levels of education.The Republic renders this right effective through scholarships, allowances to families and otherbenefits, which shall be assigned through competitive examinations.

Article 49

All citizens have the right to freely associate in parties to contribute to determining nationalpolicies through democratic processes.

Representative Democracy really serve society?

Pros cons Elected officials may

be in a better position compared to direct democracies to protect the rights of minorities and individuals.

In a representative democracy all the citizens are sufficiently represented, so the sense of democracy is fulfilled.

Representative governments don't allow citizens to participate as fully as in direct democracies.

They may break campaign promises or make decisions that differ from the wishes of their voters.

There are huge risks of inefficiency and corruption.

A weak representation of the minorities is another great risk.

What are the pros and cons of meritocracy?

Pros cons With the best being the

leaders, development and organisation would also reach a high level.

The intelligence level of society as a whole will increase.

When people are rewarded according to their abilities and hard work, they will be encouraged to do well, so as to ensure that only the best ones can lead the country in order to be an efficient one.

It creates homogeneity. Highly intelligent

people start thinking in the same way.

It creates inequality and elitism.

It damages people who have more limited skills.

e-democracy :a new form of democracy that uses information technologies and communication technologies and strategies in political and governance processes.

is this the future of democracy?

Cons Only for web- people.

You need to pay for the service.

Pros Innovative.

Young people are nearer to politics.

Support the democratic decision-making processes.

what about Democracy and Meritocracy in our school?

Representatives are most commonly chosen through elections where a winning candidate has to get more votes than any other candidate.

In most cases the elected representative is not the best one.

Risi Milena

Thanks!

The pictures by the artist Pablo Echaurren about the Italian Constitution with Italy tricolour flag, the "Tricolore“, are on show at the Quirinal Palace (the current official residence of the President of the Italian Republic ) in Rome.