GHERISSI, HEGAZI,.Y. (2014)

PhD of Philosophy

Leadership Development

DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP &POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

KEY WORDS

Rights of citizenship -democratic governance -social cohesion - the rule of

law - Human Rights- Women political participation- Accountability-

Pluralism- transparency

”As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a

master. This expresses my idea of democracy”.

Abraham Lincoln

INTRODUCTION

Citizenship rights are linked to elected regimes and to the recognition of human capabilities.

Consequently citizenship is considered as a policy that promotes social responsibility and

community development. The political theory of Aristotle (1998) is the most influential political

theory. Philosophers have correlated citizenship to the impact of society attitudes and culture.

However multiculturalism is not necessarily the recognition of sectarianism, equality, identity

politics, nationalism and pluralism. But citizenship cannot be granted without respect for

democratic systems that promote social cohesion and the rule of sovereignty on the basis of

political identity and legal systems

INDEX

1-concept and principles of democratic governance

2-Definition and continued the concept of democracy

3-democracy types

4-Women's Political Participation

5-democratic values

6-understand democracy

7-Free and fair elections

8-economic freedom

9-control of power abuse

10-Bill of Rights

11-Human Rights

12-Multipartism

13-State institutions

14-Rule of law

15- Bibliography

1-CONCEPT AND PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRATIC

GOVERNANCE

Good governance and accountability are the basic principles that achieve real democracy and

development. However the political participation, the good governance, the respect for human

rights, and the effective social participation imposes on institutions to be accountable. Also,

good governance is the only sustainable way to address the challenges of development

anywhere in the world

2-DEFINITION & ORIGIN OF THE CONCEPT OF

DEMOCRACY

The concept of democracy emerged from the ancient Greeks in the city of Athens in the fifth

century BC, the Greek word Demo " Kato’s" " means the power and the rule system of

governance that empowers citizens to participate to decision making by voting and allowing

the change of laws through the Legislative Council and the regular elections in municipal

councils, trade unions and municipalities systems in Greece, and especially Athens. The

political system in the Athens Classic was known as liberal democratic election that excluded

slaves and women from participation. However the Greek democratic system allowed equal

opportunities for all and the fight against poverty. However society evolves through equal

opportunities and individual merit.

3- DEMOCRACY TYPES

Democracy types reduce direct democracy discrimination between governments and

governed, and between the state & civil society; it does promote autonomy system.

Consequently the use of Referenda is today seen as the most common appearance. However

direct democracy or pure democracy is the kind of democracy where the people govern

directly. The classical Athenian democracy or democracy refers to the direct democracy and is

based on referendums.

Democracy shows that member of political party in the democratic process has the right to

take part in the decision-making process, and usually within the government of one-party

state. Equality, freedom and the rule of law epitomize the democracy theory which was an

important feature since history.

(Aristotle. Politics/1317b, Book 6, Part II)

“These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and equal

access to legislative processes”

4- WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

There is a commitment that civic organizations have the ability to contribute to the economic

growth and to fair and equitable distribution of resources among society and halt briberies &

wrong records. Although donors recognize that small group projects increase income &

strengthen the organizational capacity of the target groups. Consequently the analytical data

impacts on community participation. Many studies have shown that women in marginalized

areas have a high chance to join small income projects and achieve gains. In addition, it is

necessary to create social network as a prerequisite for participation. However researches

confirmed that the participation in small groups strengthens community involvement and

citizenship actions. It does contribute to encourage women to be a part of their community

and to raise their voices.

5-DEMOCRATIC VALUES

The perceived value of democracy for the participation of women in politics is seen as an Associationalism. Aristotle stated that:

"human well-being and freedom, and both are best when they can reach the affairs of society through the administration to voluntary associations and democratic self-governance." )

Nationalism/ Associationalism "give priority to freedom in size in terms of values, but insists that this freedom cannot be effectively achieved only with the accession of the community"

(Aristotle.,(322-384BC). Constitution Society; Book6, Part II)

Citizens in democracy

It does contribute to increase democracy highlighted by civil society and the private necessary to focus attention on membership in the non-purposeful management for-profit associations. (Skocpol, H., 2003)

Democracy contributes to the economic and social wealth as well as nurturings a culture of solidarity, social justice and quality of collaborative work in children's education and civic life. However democracy helps women embody social development and learning system

6- UNDERSTAND DEMOCRACY

Democracy and the rule of modern democracy include:

Citizen participation

Citizen here is a part of the decision-making on issues that affect the equality process

Equality

This means equal opportunities to achieve individual capacity without regard to race, sex, and religion;

Political tolerance

The rules recognize the interests of the minority, the debates and discussions which are the means to

discuss culture and differences

Accountability

Citizens have the right to ask Legal institutions and representatives such as elected leaders and public

officials about the reasons for their actions or decisions during the period of their public functions.

Transparency

It means that all elected leaders are allowed to disclose what they are doing during the period of

function in the leadership position as well as citizens to access public meetings and information about

what is happening in public offices, which makes the reason for the decisions taken, because

transparency is a step toward accountability

7-REGULAR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

Regular elections help free and fair elections are an opportunity that allow citizens to

recognize competent leaders and to elect the best of them for the use of rule in an equitable

manner

8- ECONOMIC FREEDOM

Free and fair elections contribute to equality in the economic and social opportunities,

especially for citizens with special needs.

However abuses contribute to the weakening of the economic base and the elimination of

opportunities for marginalized areas to afford their basics. But democracies are the most

important part of the economic pluralism and the freedom of common cultural values.

9-CONTROL OF POWER ABUSE

It is necessary to examine the liability of governments and the way to use the authority of

officials, such as:

Using the separation of powers;

The establishment of institutions in order to ensure the lack of power control by rulers

executive like legislative and judicial authorities, which operates according to agreed ethical

criteria

10- BILL OF RIGHTS

Law seeks to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens through constitution;

Culture of fairness toward the election results;

It is necessary to organize free and fair elections and to show flexibility in case of losing the

election and to evacuate office and to return equipment and tools that belonging the office to

the elected people

11- HUMAN RIGHTS

In contrast to dictatorships, democracies seek to protect citizens from abuse and injustice

12- MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM

The presence of multiple parties in a democratic state contributes to

expand the selection range that elect the best candidates for political office.

Multiparty is seen as an alternative of strong opposition that offers different views in the

government;

However the lack of multi-party system leads to unilaterality, the lack of options for citizens

and to control powers that link to dictatorships

13- STATE INSTITUTIONS

State institutions such as the police and the army must be fair, impartial and not engaged in

any political party

-14 RULE OF LAW

The law requires applying law on citizens and making them subject to accountability and

justice. However the law should be equal and fair in order to protect the rule of law and to

allow citizens enjoying their rights.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aristotle.,(322-384BC). Constitution Society; Book6, Part II

http://www.constitution.org

Grawal.,A.,(2005). Decentralization and Participation: The Governance of Common Pool Resources in Nepal's Terai.

https://ideas.repec.org/.../v33y2005i7p1101-1114

Klein, A., Kiranda, Y.,Bafaki.,R.,(2011). Concepts and principles of democratic governance and accountability- A Guide for Peer Education;

Published under the project: ‘Action for Strengthening Good Governance

and Accountability in Uganda’ by the Uganda Office of the Konrad Adenauer -Stiftung;

Skocpol, T.,(2003). “Social Provision and Civic Community: Beyond Fragmentation”. In Rieder J the Fractious Nation? Unity and Division in Contemporary American Life Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press; pp. 187 -205;

Smith, M. K.,( 2014). Association, la vie associative and lifelong learning

www.jdk.id.au