Lesson 2What is Democracy?

POWER

POWER – Learning Objectives

All students will understand what is meant by the word democracy?

Most students will understand what the main features of a democracy are.

Some students will be able to assess how democratic is the British political system is.

STARTER

What is DEMOCRACY?

CLASS TASK: Nominate one of your peers – What do they think DEMOCRACY is?

STARTER

What is DEMOCRACY?

It literally means

“government by the people.”

In the UK, government’s power

is based upon consent and legal rational authority,

rather than coercion.

Some may argue UK is undemocratic

– Monarch and Lords aren’t voted

in!

STARTER

What doesUNDEMOCRATICMEAN?

No choice of political parties

to vote for – only one!

Communism or a

Dictatorship

2 TYPES DEMOCRACY

INDIRECTDIRECT

TASK: Turn to page 230 and write down an explanation for each type.

When citizens take a DIRECT part in decision making process.

For example DIRECTLY vote on proposals for new law/policy

When citizens ELECT representatives to make political decisions (law and

policy) for them. For example in UK we have a

REPRESENTIVE DEMOCRACY. MP’s

FEATURES OF UNDEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEMS

FEATURES OF DEMOCRACIES

Freedom of speech and

expression is allowed

Elections are held during

which people can vote freely for whichever candidate

they choose

Fair Court Trials are DENIED!

Organisations

such as the trade union

are free to meetPressure groups are banned

The legal

system and

police force are

independent of

the

government

One

individual or

one elite

group rules

There is tight

government

control of the

press and

television

WORSHEET TASK: Colour code each title then colour in the circles matching the title

FEATURES OF UNDEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEMS

FEATURES OF DEMOCRACIES

Freedom of speech and

expression is allowed

Elections are held during

which people can vote freely for whichever candidate

they choose

Fair Court Trials are DENIED!

Organisations

such as the trade union

are free to meetPressure groups are banned

The legal

system and

police force are

independent of

the

government

One

individual or

one elite

group rules

There is tight

government

control of the

press and

television

OUR DEMOCRACIES

How much power do youthink the school council

has at Caterham? Is the council

really democratic?

How democratic

do you thinkthis process

really is?

How are studentschosen for roles as

form reps or theschool council at

Caterham?

CLASS DISCUSSION: Together answer the following questions.

CITIZENSHIP

In a democratic way what do you think ‘CITIZENSHIP’ in the UK

means?

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

A. Being a member of the school football team

B. Being a member of a particular state – in our case the UK

C. Being a part of an elite communist ruling party.

CITIZENSHIP

What kind of ‘status’ do you think ‘CITIZENSHIP’ in the UK has?

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

A. A legal and political status. We all have the right to vote for who we like and FULL LEGAL RIGHTS.

B. A restricted status where what we watch on tv and who we vote for is under tight government control.

C. A ruling status where we vote directly for laws and policies NOT ELECTING representatives to make political decisions .

CITIZENSHIP

What do you think ‘ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP’ might mean?

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

A. Citizens being actively involved in public life and participating in the political process. For example voting, knowing about current affairs or joining a pressure group.

B. Citizens not knowing anything about public life and never participating in the political process. For example they may have never voted in their life.

C. Citizens trying to overthrow the government.

CITIZENSHIP

Watch the video and tell me why ‘ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP’ is

important?

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

A. To meet up with like minded people and go for a beer.

B. So that citizens can cause mayhem on the streets.

C. So that citizens can get their points over to the government and hopefully make governments respond to public opinion.

CITIZENSHIP

Why do you think it’s important to have CITIZENSHIP

EDUCATION?

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

A. So that young people can become informed and active citizens, knowing their rights, responsibilities and understanding what it is to be British.

B. So teachers can dictate to children how they should act and behave.

C. To make sure children do not join gangs and commit crime.

POWER – PLENARY TASK

Why does ademocracy need

at least 2 politicalparties?

So that the peoplehave a choice of whorepresents them in

government.

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

How could peopleargue that the UKis Undemocratic?

POWER – PLENARY TASK

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

Why is political

Education (like this lesson!)

important in ademocracy?

POWER – PLENARY TASK

WHITEBOARD TASK: Tell me what you think

HOMEWORK

What do you think being a good CITIZEN involves?

TASK : Write a paragraph answering this question