Lesson 1 Inquiry
Completion requirements
Inquiry
Democratic Values and Principles
Use the Notebook to write your responses to the questions below.
- What are democratic values?
- What principles support democracy?
- What do these words mean in the context of democracy: society, laws, rules, citizen, constitution, government, fair, respectful, compromise, freedom, responsibility, right, equality, equity, justice, representation?
Everybody has freedom to make choices. In a democracy, people have freedom of religion, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and freedom to associate with their friends.
There are consequences for the choices individuals make. A democracy tries to make fair and impartial laws with equal consequences for responsible individuals. Governments are accountable for the laws they make.
Equality means everybody gets exactly the same. For example, no matter what needs they have, everybody gets an equal slice of pizza.
Equity means everybody gets a different amount based on their needs. According to this idea, someone who works harder or is larger or older gets a larger slice of pizza than a child.
Consider: Which is fair: equality, equity or both?
Equity means everybody gets a different amount based on their needs. According to this idea, someone who works harder or is larger or older gets a larger slice of pizza than a child.
Examples of equality are free education for children or public libraries. Examples of equity are different sized water fountains for children or cards which allow users with disabilities to go swimming and to the zoo anytime for free.
Consider: Which is fair: equality, equity or both?
George Orwell investigated the Communist slogan "To each according to his need" in his novel Animal Farm.
What happens when a group gains the power to act unfairly? At first, all the farm animals received an equal portion of food, but over time the rulers (in the novel the pigs) received the most food and they treat the rest of the animals unfairly.
What happens when a group gains the power to act unfairly? At first, all the farm animals received an equal portion of food, but over time the rulers (in the novel the pigs) received the most food and they treat the rest of the animals unfairly.
.
You will learn about direct democracy later in the course. Canada has a representative democracy in which one person is chosen
or elected to make decisions for others.
Resources for Inquiry
- Textbook
- Read pages 4 – 7.
- Library Books
- Democracy. Look for pages about what democracy means.
- Websites
- Durham Immigration Portal (explains our Canadian values to prospective immigrants)
- Answers.com – What are Democratic Values?
When you feel confident about the information you explored in this inquiry, complete the Lesson 1 Self-Check on the following page.