Unit 8.3 Citizenship and Ideology in Times of Conflict and Peace

8.3 Citizen Rights, Roles, and Responsibilities during in Conflict and in Peacetime

To what extent should we embrace an ideology?

For Corporal Blanchette, citizenship means helping the Afghan people bring about peace and democracy in Afghanistan. Part of why Jessie Blanchette joined the Canadian military was to lead by example in bringing about a better world. The Corporal's beliefs and actions illustrate that citizenship is not limited to one's local community. Citizenship may also include participation on national and even global levels.

Corporal Blanchette is part of a long tradition of Canadian citizen soldiers—valiant citizens who have risked life and limb and have often been killed in conflicts, all in the defense of Canadian values and beliefs.

Canadians In Action at Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday, 1917 –Artist: R. Jack, Canadian War Museum

The Battle of Vimy Ridge marked a very important event in the identity of Canada.  It was in this battle that troops from across Canada first fought together as a Canadian unit.  Canadians gained national pride in Canadian achievements during World War I as well as in World War II.

Read "Citizens and Government during Times of Conflict" on pages 404-406 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of the concept of the rights, roles and responsibilities of the individual during times of conflict. You should make notes, either on paper or on your computer, about what you have read. You may want to read the tutorial How to Make Notes. When you are finished the tutorial, return here to continue this unit.

Sometimes, a citizen's beliefs and values may come into conflict with their country's actions during a conflict.

Senator Schurz is often quoted, sometimes incorrectly. His intent was that citizens should support their country, but when their country is wrong it needs to be fixed, "set right".

© 2010 Thinkstock Sometimes, citizens protest their country's actions during times of conflict. For example, many American citizens protested the United State's involvement in the Vietnam War (during the 1960s and 1970s) or, more recently, protesting the the War in Iraq. (American protestors were joined by citizens in other countries including Canada.)

Read "Citizens and Anti-war Movements" on pages 406-411 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of the concept of the rights, roles and responsibilities of the individual during times of conflict. You should make notes, either on paper or on your computer, about what you have read. You may want to read the tutorial How to Make Notes. When you are finished the tutorial, return here to continue this unit

Citizenship and Ideology in Times of Peace

Volunteering for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity helps the poor and disaster-stricken. © 2010 Thinkstock

One does not necessarily have to join the military to be an active participant in citizenship. Your family, friends, school, community, and country all shape your ideology. Your ideology will also shape the actions you take as a citizen. Individuals can take action in many different ways. It can be as easy as talking about an issue with a friend to raise awareness or as challenging as participating actively in an organization. Great changes can come from taking action. However, your ideology determines what kind of action you take in activities and organizations.

Issues of concern face citizens of all nations in their local, national, and global communities. Examples of these issues are provided in the following reading in your textbook.

Read "Citizens and Government during Times of Peace" on pages 412-419 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of the concept of the rights, roles and responsibilities of the individual during times of conflict. You should make notes, either on paper or on your computer, about what you have read. You may want to read the tutorial How to Make Notes. When you are finished the tutorial, return here to continue this unit.