Look and analyze the pictures below and answer the following questions.

1. What is being shown in the pictures above?

2. Give a word that is opposite to what is depicted in the picture.
3. Is freedom an essential element of democracy? Support your
answer.
4. “I can do anything that I want” is the true essence of democracy.
Do youagree with this? Support your answer.
DEMOCRACY
Democracy is a form of government in which the
supreme power is vested in the people and exercised
directly by them or by their elected agents under free
electoral system or a state of society characterized by
formal equality of rights and privileges. It originates from
the Greek word demos, which means “people”, and
kratos, which means ‘strength or power.”
What is Democratic
Practice?
Democratic Practice is a set of
principles and practices that guide
how people interact and work
together every day to improve their
community and to create a more
just society.
What are some democratic practices?
1. Suffrage or the right to vote. It gives the people
the opportunity to exercise sovereignty by
choosing the candidates who will govern and serve
them. Eligible voters have the right to elect the
government of his/her country by secret vote. It is
only fair that they have a direct hand in choosing
the officials.
2. Public assembly and consultation. “The Public
Assembly Act of 1985,” makes sure that the people’s
exercise their right to a peaceful assembly. Citizens
have a set of rights and responsibilities, including the
right to participate in decisions that affect public
welfare. This act stipulates that rallies, demonstrations,
marches, public meetings, processions, or
parades(collectively referred to as public assembly)
can be held in public places to express opinion, to
protest against, or to air grievances on certain issues.
3. Majority rule and minority rights. It is the making of
binding decisions by a vote of more than one-half of all
persons who participate in an election. Thomas
Jefferson, third President of the United States,
expressed the concept of democracy in 1801 in his first
Inaugural Address. He said
“All will bear in mind this sacred principle. That though the
will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to
be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority
possess their equal rights, which equal law must
protect and to violate would be oppression.”
4. Conduct of plebiscite to amend a constitutional
provision. The Constitution embodies the
fundamental laws of the land from which all other laws
should be in accord with. The change in a provision of
the constitution, such as increasing the number of
years of term of office of the president, cannot be
carried without the approval of the people or general
constituencies in a process called plebiscite. A
plebiscite is an electoral process for approving or
rejecting a change or amendment in the Constitution.
It is in the process of direct vote-say yes or no; accept
or reject.
Democratic participation is the involvement or
engagement with something which is freely
done, without coercion, and without threat or
fear.
Importance of Participation in Democracy
• Democracy provides equality and admission to
opportunities for all its citizen in the government;
• checks and balances the government to prevent
possible abuse of political power from the
officials;
• allows citizens to influence and suggest policies
and laws through plebiscite in selecting delegates
or representatives.
• allows the popular majority to oust a
representative or a politician who hold too much
power and abuses it;
Importance of Participation in Democracy
• promotes freedom where citizen enjoy human
rights, allows people to engage the business and
innovations;
• becomes competent, firm, and stable when the
state is ruled with leaders who have dedication
and transparency;
• provides political education to the people telling
them of the state affairs; and
• upholds change since the citizens have the
opportunity to participate in the involvement in the
government.
REPRESENTATIVE AND
PARTICIPATORY
DEMOCRACIES
Democracy has several forms.
Two of the most popular types
are:
1. representative democracy
and
2. participatory democracy.
Representative Democracy
In the modern period where large
populations usually form societies,
Representative Democracy (also
called indirect democracy) is
observed to be more popularly
exercised. It is a political system where
the qualified citizens exercise their
political power through
representatives. The sovereign power
remains on the citizens but its exercise
is delegated to the representatives
they elect. By extension, the citizens,
through their votes, allow these
representatives to make choices and
decisions on their behalf.
 Participatory Democracy
Quite similar to representative democracy is
participatory democracy which also
encourages a more active and wider
involvement of citizens. While representative
democracy motivates individual citizens to
contribute to policy making, participatory
democracy offers more opportunities for
members of the population to contribute to
decision-making through popular assemblies. It
has variants. In a direct democracy, all eligible
citizens and qualified voters directly or
personally involve themselves in making political
decisions. In the Philippines, one popular
demonstration of participatory democracy was
the EDSA People Power of 1986. Through the
people’s direct involvement in a series of
protests, the dictatorial rule of President
Ferdinand Marcos was toppled down.
Democracy can be understood through
four main types of approaches:
1. Constitutional Approach
• Concentrates on laws enacted by
a regime concerning political
activity
• Looking over history and see
contrasts among types of
governments and their legal
arrangements
Democracy can be understood through four
main types of approaches:
2. Substantive Approach
• Stresses on the quality of life that
a regime tries to promote which
include individual freedom, human
welfare, security, social equality
and good governance.
Democracy can be understood through
four main types of approaches:
3. Procedural Approach
• Focuses mainly on how a government
conducts its elections
• Majority of the population is engaged,
procedural presence of democracy is
present which cause significant
governmental changes.
Democracy can be understood through
four main types of approaches:
4. Process- Oriented Approach
• Based on the following:
• Effective participation – Every individual
must have equal opportunities to
express their views to other members
as to what strategy and policy should
be.
• Voting equality – Members should have
the equal chance to vote and be
considered.
• Enlightened understanding – Members
must have the opportunities to learn
alternative policies and their
consequences.
•Control of the agenda – Members are
given the opportunity to decide on the
agenda. The policies of the association
are always open to change by the
members.
Essay Writing
• Make a feature story entitled
“ My Idea of a Good Society”
to be passed on Wednesday,
September 25, 2019.
• Quiz on Monday
 What constitutes a good society
• Fulfillment of basic needs
• The desire to be in association with
other people
• Clamor for participation in the
governance of society
These linked together envision a democratic
participation in society.
Democratic participation requires
association with other people.
Association has two main
components:
•Respect for culture
and heritage
•Caring & Sharing
1.Respect for Culture & Heritage
• In a democratic society, development and
progress happen when people and communities
are empowered express themselves through their
culture.
• After meeting basic needs, culture appears to be
the basis of people’s lives.
2. Caring & Sharing
 A person learns to vale friendship, complements
the generosity of others and exhibit solidarity
and support to one another in the organization.
 Attachment, belonging, trust, exchange, mutual
aid, reciprocity, good neighbors, generosity.
Two aspects of the clamor for participation in the
governance of society.
1.Equal Rights & Justice
• A decent society maintains the
standard of law and human rights for
everyone.
• A decent society is one that makes
laws to secure everyone – poor
people, the working class and the
rich – get the same rights.
Two aspects of the clamor for participation in the
governance of society.
2. Responsive and Inclusive Governance
Citizens can participate in the public sphere
and make their own contribution towards the
common good
Means being heard and consulted on a regular
and continuing basis, not merely at election
time
Involves eradication of corruption, favoritism,
nepotism, apathy, neglect, red tape, self-
serving political leaders and public officials.