What IS a Democracy?

We have all grown up being part of a well established democracy and everybody in our classroom doesn't know a Canada where the Charter of Rights and Freedoms didn't exist. Since we have all grown up with having individual rights and freedoms protected for all people, sometimes it is hard for us to remember or think that hasn't always been the case in Canada. And, I hear it every year, how boring it is to learn about Canada, its history and the government. BUT despite having learned a lot about our country for 12 years of education, it is surprising the number of people who know very little about our political system and how it works. If they did know more, you wouldn't have people saying that it's okay for Kevin O'Leary to run for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada because "it's not like he's running for Prime Minister." I don't want you to be that person and that's why this second half of the course is so important. 

Let's rewind a little bit to philosophers from the beginning of the semester. One of the most important things that Montesquieu said was that for a democracy to truly function, the people need to participate and be active citizens; having an apathetic democracy is worse than having a dictatorship. So all that information that you learned about Canada is culminating in this year: you've learned about your country for the past 11 years so that you can be a proud, educated and active participant in it. And if you didn't learn things from then, it's even more important to learn them now 😁. 

But we are going to start with baby steps and make sure that we all understand the foundations of democracy. This should take about a week or two to get through the information. Here is a quick introduction:

So what will we be doing this week?

Monday: 

• Review: What do you know about Canada's democratic system?
• Key factors of democracy - you will need scissors and glue for this part of the class

Tuesday: 

• Notes: What does political liberalism mean and what are its values?
• Implementation of political liberalism: The French and American Revolution

French Revolution Video and impact of the Enlightenment

American Revolution Video and impact of the Enlightenment

Wednesday: 

• Article and Focused Reading: Democracy and Liberal Values
• Democracy - What is it and what are the different types?
• Electoral Systems: What's Your Vote Worth??

Thursday: 

• Rants by  McKinley and  Joey 
• Practice Writing:
• 30-1: Practice Writing Assignment 2 - work on thesis and writing an argument/evidence paragraph
• 30-2: Practice Writing Assignment 3 - work on either analyzing the issue/interpreting perspectives OR write your defense paragraph
• REMEMBER: YOU WILL BE DOING ESSAYS FOR MARKS NEXT WEEK, ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY!!!!

Friday: 

• Economics Exam - strictly Multiple Choice. Please don't wait until Thursday to study