Citizens of a Democracy

This article taken from Civics-Citizens in Action (Turner, Long, Bowes, and Lott, 1986: 21-23)
Pictures taken from www.google.com (March 28 2012)

Making American Democracy Work

Americans are citizens of a democracy. They have been shaped by their past and by the modern age in which they live. But, something more than knowing who americans citizens are is needed to make american democracy work from day to day. It take citizens willing to become involved in government. You learned earlier that a democracy is a government by the people. If enough people were to decide not to take part in government, decisions would be left to the few who still were involved. Such a government would no longer be a democracy. Citizens involvement, then, is at the heart of american democracy. But, being involved in government is not always easy. American citizens need knowledge and skills to do their jobs effectively.

Acquiring and using informastion

today's citizen need to know how to answer important question. They need to know how to find facts in books, magazines, and reference works, from radio and television reports, and from other sources. They need to know how to learn information from telephone inquiries, interviews, and by the letter. One of the first skills needed for effective citizenship, then, is the ability to gather and use information. Being informed is the first step forward making a sensible decision. Only after making a decison based on the facts can citizens take actions to meet their goals.

Consider this example. Imagine that you live on a very busy street. You have heard that the city government is considering installing a new traffic light on the street. Your neighbors seem divided on the issue. Several favor the idea, believing it will bring added safety. Others are against it. Some fear it would raise taxes. Others think it might slow traffic. Before you can make a decision about the new traffic, you need to gather information. You need to ask questions like: Where would the traffic light be placed? Have any accidents occured there in the last year?

To answer the first question, you might contact a member of city government. This contact could be made by telephone, by letter, or in person. To answer the second question, you could look in the newspapers at the library and see how many accidents have been reported. You also could contact the local police department or city traffic division. After you have gathered information, you need to use it, or to present it in a way that is easily understood. Perhaps you could write a report of your findings. Or, you might draw a graph comparing traffic on your street with traffic on another busy street in town.

Assesing Involvement

Many issues affect citizens in today's world-so many, in fact, that every person cannot become involved in them all. Instead, Americans must decide which isuues to pass by. To do this, citizens need to assess their involvement in each issues, or decide how important an issue is to them. To decide how involved you should be in an issue, you need to know two things. First, in what ways could situation affect you and others? Second, how could your own actions affect the outcome of the situations? Think again about the traffic light example. How are you involved? Do you regularly cross the street? If not, is it important to other people that the traffic light be installed? Knowing your own needs and being aware of the needs of others are important to the mastery of this skill.

Making Decisions

A third vital citizenship skill is making thoughtful decisions about government matters. Citizens need to recognize that there can be more than one solution to any problem. They need to be able to identify alternatives and decide which will be the most effective for themselves and others. To do this, citizens need to know how what goals or values are involved in each alternative, and what the consequences of a certain choie will be. In the debate about the traffic light, you need to make some important decisions. Before deciding for or against a new light, you need to think about other alternatives. You might consider whether a flashing yellow light would serve the same purpose. Perhaps a crosswalk would be enough. What are the consequences of choosing one of these alternatives? Are they better choices than installing a traffic light? When you have given all the alternatives careful consideration, you will be better able to make a good decision.

Making Judgements

A fourth skill for effective citizenship is the ability to make sound judgements. To judge someone or something is to determine its worth in terms of a certain standar. In the case of the traffic light, a standard you might use to judge the situation could be safety. Are people really in danger when they cross the street? Another standard you might use to determine your judgement might be practicality. How much will a new traffic light cost? The standards you use will shape the judgement you make about the project.

Communicating

A fifth skill necessary for effective citizenship in the ability to communicate. There are many ways to get ideas and viewpoints across to others. An effective citizen needs to have skills in both speaking and writing. Such a citizen should feel comfortable addresing the public as well as talking with a friend. When you have made your decision for or against a new traffic light, for example, it is time to tell other people how you feel. You could go to a government meeting and speak to the leaders there. Or, you might write them a letter listing the reasons for your decision.

Cooperating

A sixth skill is the ability to cooperate. To achieve goals, citizens need to to work together. Cooperation includes being able to be a leader or a follower, depending on the situation. It means coping with conflict in a group and working with people who are different from yourself. Before a decision about the traffic light has been made, it probably would be a good idea to find out what your neighbors think of the problem. You might decide to have a meeting. In the meeting, each person would be allowed to speak. Cooperation means listening to other people, even if their views disagree with your own views. Cooperation also means accepting the final decision of the majority of the group.

Promoting Interest

A seventh citizenship skill will help you to develop is the ability to recognize and promote your own interest. What is most important to you in a given situation? How can you work to carry out your goals? Think again about the traffic light question. In this case, one thing important to you, and many others, is safety. To promote your interest-safety-you may decide to join together to work in favor of the light.