RFGI citizenship & democracy

Research Foundation forGovernance in India

An Awareness Initiative on Governance:

Citizenship & Democracy(Introduction to Bala Janaagraha: Me & My City)

का�र्य�म सर्व� हिता�र्य

www.rfgindia.org

Material Credits:

Me & My City by JanaagrahaAhmedabad Municipal Corporation Handbook

Special Thanks to –

Team Bala Janaagraha, Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy

Capt. Dilip Mahajan – Dpty. Commissioner, AMCMr. Prashant Pandya – Director, Solid Waste Management

© Research Foundation for Governance in India का�र्य�म सर्व� हिता�र्य

"All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the power of their youth."

- Aristotle


Activity - 1


• Life of people on the island of Dweep• What do you think is the major problem on

the island of Dweep?• What could be done to solve the problem?• How might a Government make life better in

Dweep?

Your Views

• What is politics?• What is democracy?• Who chose our political system?• How are you a part of it?• Can we change our political system?


Our Constitution

• What is constitution? Who decided it?• Can we change our constitution?• Do all the countries require a constitution?• What if there is no constitution?• Do we have any law above the constitution?



Local

State

Union

Our Political System

Three branches & Three tiers

© Research Foundation for Governance in India© Research Foundation for Governance in India का�र्य�म सर्व� हिता�र्य

Rule of Law

Constitution

Legislature(Parliament)

Executive(Cabinet)

Judiciary(Courts)

Other Countries


• Netherlands?• Canada?• Malaysia?

Political Parties

• Where do ministers come from?• What do politicians do?• How does the politics across the world work?


Political Ideologies• Left

– A lot of interference by the government in the economy. One can think of socialism or communism.

• Right– Little interference by the government in the economy. This

is also called capitalism. • Conservative

– Holding on to tradition and traditional values.• Progressive

– Support for change.


Political Ideologies around the world• Conservatism

– Support for tradition and traditional values.• Socialism

– Advocate the creation of a society in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly based. Tax-funded welfare programs and regulation of markets.

• Liberalism – Individual liberty and equality of opportunity the most important political goals.

Freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, an individual's right to private property and a transparent system of government.

• Greens– Green politics places a high importance on ecological and environmental goals. Green

politics is also concerned with civil liberties, social justice and nonviolence.• Christian democracy

– Often conservative on cultural, social and moral issues and progressive on fiscal and economic issues. It seeks to apply Christian principles.

• Communism and variations– Left to far left ideologies


PROGRESSIVE

LEFT RIGHT

CONSERVATIVE

Christen Democrats/ Conservatives

Liberals

Socialists

Greens


Political Ideologies


Political Ideologies in India

• Can you prepare a report on Indian political parties and their ideologies?

Indian Judiciary System

• Types of courts• What do judges do?• Who select/elect the judges?• Where is the court located in Ahmedabad?• Examples of different type of judiciary systems


Other Countries


• Netherlands?• Canada?• Malaysia?

Fundamental Rights

• Right to Equality• Right to Freedom• Right against Exploitation• Right to Religion and Belief• Cultural and Educational Rights• Right to Remedies


Fundamental Duties

• Respect the National Flag, Anthem and Constitution • Promote the ideals of the Independence movement • Support the Unity of India and defend India• Promote harmony• Preserve our heritage• Protect our environment• Develop scientific temper and respect for all life• Protect public property and abjure violence• Develop India to its highest potential


Voting: Right or Duty?


Some Questions

• Should voting be mandatory?• Merits & Demerits of Democracy


Research Foundation forGovernance in India

An Awareness Initiative on Governance:

Citizenship & Democracy

Part - II

का�र्य�म सर्व� हिता�र्य

www.rfgindia.org


Local

State

Union

Our Political System

Union Govt.• Why do we require a govt in Delhi?• Do we elect a government? • Who decides who would be the Prime Minister of

India?• Parliament vs. Cabinet• Upper House vs. Lower House: Similarities &

Differences• How does a bill becomes a law?• Prime Minister vs. President – India & USA


State Govt.

• Same three branches?• Why do we require a government in

Gandhinagar?• What is the role of the State govt? MLA?• Governor vs. Chief Minister


Union vs. State govt.

• What if there is a clash between the union and the state govt?

• Differences: MP & MLA


Local Government• AMC (Ahmedabad Municipal Corp.) – 464.16 sq. km. • AUDA (Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority) - 1294.65 sq. km.• Water• Electricity• Health• Solid Waste Management• Transportation• Police


Ahmedabad Municipal Corp.


Activity: Union, State, or Local?Issue

Installation of traffic lights at an intersection.Paving a street in one part of the city.One state requesting another for a resource such as water or electricity.

Permission to build an extension to your house.Fixing street lights in a village.Widening and repavement of Kolkatta - Chennai national highway.Registering the birth of a new baby.Collection and disposal of garbage from a new housing development in Ahmedabad.

Working out details regarding export of rice between India and AmericaDecision regarding the development of a slum in the city.Ensuring that all public buildings should be accessible to people who have disabilities.© Research Foundation for Governance in India का�र्य�म सर्व� हिता�र्य

Do you know Ahmedabad?• Population: 45,05,539 (2001)• Roads: 1256.5 Kms/68.6 Kms• AMTS route covers 2247 Kms • AMC annual budget: Rs. 2300 Cr.• Water supply: 79.85 Cr. Ltr.• Water Pipeline: 3326 Km• Avg. Waste collected: 2300 Metric ton/day


Some Questions

• President – redundant?• Decentralisation: required?


Thank you!


RFGI citizenship & democracy

Education

Transcript of RFGI citizenship & democracy