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)
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.
