Citizen Participation

Participation is the key to citizenship in a democracy.

Active and Responsible Citizenship means that citizens have a

responsibility to participate in the democratic system that protects their
freedoms and rights.

Participation and responsibility of citizens include:

voting in elections,
becoming informed,
attending community or civic meetings,
paying taxes,
protesting, petitioning
voluntary work
in some cases standing for elections
Citizenship

Democracy relates to citizenship in that one

cannot exist without the other. Democracy
implies the participation of the citizens in the
running of the country.

Citizens are expected to be actively responsible

to preserve and develop democratic living in
their country through the exercise of their
rights and duties.
 Constitutional Government

Every democratic government has a constitution to

establish the law and lay down a framework for the
government to operate.

A Constitution:

-defines the fundamental political principles of the

government
-lays out government responsibility and power division
-sets limits to the power of the government
-guarantee certain rights and freedoms to the people
 Separation of Powers
No one part of a democratic government has all the power.

The powers are split in three; the constitution outlines these

powers.

Executive branch: has the power to lead and guide the government
and to see that the laws are adhered to.

Legislative branch: has the power to make the laws of the

government.

Judicial branch: has the power to decide whether the rules of the
state have been broken or not.
 Separation of Powers

It is not practical to have the three powers entirely

separate as there would be no co-ordination of the
government.

Some democratic governments have branches that

are more separated than others.

Most important; these separate powers serve as a

check to one another, so they do not act beyond the
limits established in the constitution.
 Human Rights: general introduction
Democratic governments protect the rights and freedoms of the
individual. They are usually a part of the constitution. In the Maltese
constitution they are specified as ‘Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
of the Individual.’

They are called human rights by the United Nations and are promoted
world-wide.

Some examples to introduce the concept:

Freedom of expression
Freedom of worship

Equality- All persons regardless of their position in society and

regardless of their race, sex, or religion are valued equally, have equal
rights and opportunities, and may not be discriminated against.

Equal protection under the law

Beyond the Human Rights guaranteed in the
Constitution, Citizens also have other rights;

Consumer Rights are governmental

regulations that protect the interests of
citizens as consumers.

For example, a government may require

businesses to disclose detailed information
about products—particularly in areas where
safety or public health is an issue, such as
food
 Majority rule and Minority rights
Majority rule: decisions are made on the vote of the
majority.

This must go along with minority rights, whether ethnic,

religious or political.

These rights cannot be eliminated by majority rule.

They are protected because democratic laws and institutions

protect rights of all citizens.

Minority rights: protect against ‘Tyranny of the Majority’

meaning that those in the majority (a dominant class or
ethnic group) cannot rule to the lasting detriment of the
minority.
 Multi-party system

More than one political party must participate in elections

and play a role in government.

Free & Fair Elections:

One way citizens express their will is by election of officials

to represent them in government and to express their opinion
on various issues.

Citizens have a right to a secret vote, free from any

interference or pressure.

Legal requirements to vote in most democratic countries are

age, residence and citizenship.
 Private Organisations

Are allowed to operate freely without government

interference and include varied institutions;

EG.: Non-governmental organisations, associations

(charitable, environmental, religious,
neighbourhood, business, labour unions).

In a democracy there is a sense of social, economic

and political pluralism (diversity).
 Economic Freedom

A democratic government should allow:

-private ownership of property and business

-that citizens can choose their own work
-people to join labour unions

The idea is that free markets should exist in a

democracy and that the state should not totally
control the economy.