Tends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Century

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7– Trends Subject Teacher:

DEMOCRATIC INTERVENTIONS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
A. explain the concept of democracy;
B. assess the effectiveness of democratic practices in the Philippines;
C. use a Venn Diagram to differentiate participatory from representative democracy.

UNDERSTANDING DEMOCRACY

DEMOCRACY means the “power of the people.” It BIG IDEA

originates from the Greek words demos, which means “people”
and kratos, which means “strength or power.” A government without
political representation or
In a democracy, hereditary class distinctions and arbitrary
participation cannot claim
class privileges are nonexistent. A democratic government is one
to be democratic
where the people hold the supreme power; where power is
vested on the people; and where the people possess the
sovereign will. Democracy runs contradictory to an absolute monarchy where power is concentrated
in the hands of the individual and to an oligarchy where a small number of individuals wield power.

What are the types of democracy?

TYPES OF DEMOCRACY

Parliamentary Democracy- a democratic form of government that began in Great Britain. It

features a leading party or coalition of parties whose leader becomes the prime minister or
chancellor.

Jeffersonian Democracy- formulated by Thomas Jefferson, it presupposed that all male

citizens were entitled to equal political opportunities. It underscored the need for leadership
by those with greatest abilities, to be chosen by the people. This was the ideology of
Democratic- Republican Party, a party that dominated U.S. political scene from late 18th
century to early 19th century.

Jacksonian Democracy- symbolized by Andre Jackson, it focused on the needs of the

ordinary people rather than on the needs of the elite and the educated. In pursuit of equality,
it granted more rights to the common people and extended suffrage even to men who did
not possess property in contrast to the political norm of the era.

Liberal or Constitutional Democracy- founded on the principles of free and fair elections, a
universal right to vote, and a competitive political process where qualified people can run
and be voted for office. It can be in the form of a (a) constitutional monarchy where the
monarch’s power is limited by the constitution; (b) constitutional republic, which can be
federal or unitary. A federal republic is composed of self-governing states that have
consolidated together, thus forming a federation. A unitary republic runs as one entity and
has a strong central or national government.

Social Democracy- conceived in the 19th century, it promotes universal access to health,
education, just compensation for workers and social services. It seeks to reform capitalism
through state laws and other regulatory policies.

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 Tends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Century
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7– Trends Subject Teacher:

What are the dimensions of democracy?

It is important to know more of the dimensions of democracy to better comprehend what

democracy is all about. Michael S. Perry (2015) presents four (4) dimensions of democracy.

DIMENSIONS OF DEMOCRACY

SOVEREIGN PEOPLE- this refers to the “body-politic” or

the people who rule. They are in some sense of a
unified people who exercise sovereignty either by
direct means or through elected representatives.

PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCRACY- equality is the underlying

principle of democracy. It is the idea that people are
the ultimate source of sovereignty.

STRUCTURE OF DEMOCRACY- this pertains to the various

formulations, mechanisms and institutions which are
crafted to enable the people to actualize their
sovereign will in the democratic processes.

PRACTICE OF DEMOCRACY- this involves the translation

of the concept of democracy into reality or making the
rule of the people concretely manifested.

SOME PREFERRED DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES

This section illustrates some of the ways by which the rule of the people and the principle of
equality are made concrete. Briefly, it provides an explanation on why people choose to do them:

A. Suffrage for eligible citizens and qualified, registered voters

Elections in the Philippines happen periodically. Candidates have to meet certain requirements
set by the Commission on Elections. As to the body-politic, eligible voters (at least 18 years old,
male and female of all ethnicity and socioeconomic status) should register with the commission.
Suffrage, or the right to vote, gives the people the opportunity to exercise sovereignty by
choosing the candidates who will govern and serve them.

B. Protest against election fraud BIG IDEA

Election fraud such as vote buying and results
manipulation surface during the election period. As Dissent and protest are
responsible members of the electorate, the people should necessary in a democracy
be vigilant against it. as they demonstrate one’s
freedom of expression.

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 Tends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Century
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7– Trends Subject Teacher:

Protest against fraudulent elections serves as a potent tool for obstructing the continuation and
promotion of flawed electoral processes.
C. Communicating with local government officials as a civic responsibility
Expressing thoughts and opinions regarding certain local or national issues, proposing projects,
suggesting activities for the community, and ventilating opposition to some policies and
misconduct of officials are necessary to maintain a healthy and democratic nation.

D. Public assembly and consultation

Republic Act 880, also known as “The Public Assembly Act of 1985,” ensures the people’s
exercise of their right to a peaceful assembly. This is accordance with the ideals embodied in
the International Labor Organization. This act stipulates that rallies, demonstrations, marches,
public meetings, processions, or parades can be held in public places to express opinion, to
protest against, or to air grievances on certain issues.

E. Conduct of a plebiscite to amend a constitutional provision

The change in a provision of the Constitution, such as increasing the number of years in a term
of office of the president, cannot be carried out 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. For the change, revision, or amendment to be valid, it should be ratified by a
majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite within a period specified by law. This democratic
practice is preferred as it allows the people to participate in political decision-making.

REPRESENTATIVE AND PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACIES

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

Also called as indirect democracy. It is a political system

where the qualified citizens exercise their political power
through representatives.

PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

It encourages a more active and wider involvement of

citizens. Participatory democracy offers more
opportunities for members of a population to contribute
to decision-making through popular assemblies.

UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICES IN DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS

Oppressive acts or practices that curtail human rights and obstruct the exercise of one’s free and
sovereign will are undemocratic practices.

1. GENDER- one of the oldest areas where inequality, exploitation, and oppression exist is in sexual
identity. Many traditional societies show preference for male offspring and bequeath less privileges
and rights to the female children. This practice exemplifies gender bias. Gender bias refers to the
prejudicial act or attitude toward males or females.

Page 3 of 4
 Tends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Century
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7– Trends Subject Teacher:

2. WEALTH DISTRIBUTION AND POVERTY- the widening gap between the rich and the poor is one of the
negative impacts of undemocratic practices in income distribution which causes poverty.
3. RACE RELATIONS, SUFFRAGE, AND POLITICAL MARGINALIZATION- there are societies and
governments that discriminate against individuals and groups by virtue of ethnicity, race, religion,
and socioeconomic background. Some citizens and ethnic groups who cannot read and write the
mainstream language are excluded form voting. People with disabilities are more likely deprived
of the chance to run for public office. These are cases of political marginalization which is relegating
someone to the fringes of society and being accorded with less importance and power.

4. Cultural domination, representation, and the politics of recognition- cultural communities

experience a crisis of representation. Recognition of their identity becomes problematic if they are
treated less important and as if having a marginal existence. Usually, the indigenous people, whose
population keeps on decreasing, become the victims of these undemocratic practices.

RESEARCH BODIES, PUBLICATIONS, AND AGENCIES EVALUATING GOVERNMENTS AND REGIMES

•a data set that analyzes political regimes and

MaxRange democraticization process from the 18th century to the
present.

•an evaluation of the state of democracy of countries.

Democracy Index It is published by the Economist Intelligence Unit based
in UK.

•based in Stockholm, Sweden which evaluates the

International IDEA country's quality of democracy. IDEA stands for
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral
Assistance.

•an annual survey published since 1972by Freedom

Freedom in the House, an NGO based in the U.S. It ranks countries
by political rights and civil liberties mostly derived
World from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

REVIEW
• Democracy originated from the two Greek words “demos” and “kratos” which when
combined means “the power of people”
• Power is vested in the citizens of the country and is expressed particularly in elections.
• Participation in democracy is important as it enables one to attain knowledge and
experience of these democratic processes and practices. It makes a citizen
distinguish and discriminate democratic and undemocratic processes, practices,
and concepts.
• Political institutions and governments are assessed through certain sets of criteria
formulated by political scientists and political watchers.

REFERENCES:

➢ Urgel, Elizabeth T. (2017). Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Culture. 4/F SEDCCO 1 Bldg. 120 Thailand corner Legazpi Streets
Legaspi Village, 1229 Makati City, Philippines: Diwa Learning Systems, Inc.
➢ Arzadon, M.E., Romerosa, P.G. and Zarate, Ma. Jovita E. (2018). Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking. 1253 G. Araneta Avenue cor. Ma. Clara
Street, Talayan, Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc.

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