Pasig Catholic College

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

School Year 2021-2022
PCC@109: Missio et Evangelizatio

Trends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Culture

SEPTEMBER 2021
Miss Maria Katrina E. Josef

Module 5: Democratic Interventions

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Read and follow instructions carefully.

• Answer the “Let’s Try This” section before going through the lessons.
• Take note and record points for clarification.
• Compare your answers against the key to answers found at the end of the module if it’s
applicable.
• Do the activities and fully understand each lesson.
• Answer the self-check to monitor what you learned in each lesson.
• Answer the posttest after you have gone over all the lessons.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this module students will have completed the following objectives:
• Identify democratic practices
• Differentiate participatory from representative democracy
• Assess democratic interventions prevailing in political and social institutions
• Formulate a viable alternative to undemocratic practices
• Explain the importance of participation in democracy through encouraging the youth to practice their
right to vote through a campaign poster and/or as a youth, register oneself to COMELEC iRehistro
Voter Registration to exercise one’s rights.

TO DO LIST

In the 2019 midterm elections, there are 31% of the 61, 843, 750 registered voters aged 18 to 30 years
old (Millenial and Gen Z). This number seems to be a large part of the voter's population in the Philippines but
do Millenial and Gen Z care enough about elections to begin with?

We know that there are important factors that shape the youth’s attitude on politics and some of them are
education, religion, family and class.

TASK: MINITASK#1 for 2nd Quarter

1. to take the COMELEC iRehistro Voter Registration individually and create a campaign poster on “why
should you register and vote?” for students that are 18 years old above. (6 members, no need to submit an
accomplishment report)

2. create four parts - one awareness campaign poster that encourages and raises awareness “why should
youth register and vote?” for students who are 17 years old below, no need to submit an accomplishment
report, do this by collab group.

NOTE:
1. Students are NOT REQUIRED to go to the appointment schedule but they need to submit
their generated PDF file of your Online Application Form (OLAF). Just in case students would like to
pursue his/her online registration she/he needs to ask for his/her parent’s consent since we are still in
the community quarantine restriction.
2. If the student was already registered just submit the acknowledgement receipt and make a campaign
poster.
LECTURE NOTES

LET’S TRY THIS!

I. Write Democracy if the statement is true and Dictatorship if the statement is false.

1. In a democracy, people collectively exercise equal rights to participate in a decision-making

process.
2. In a direct democracy, all the eligible citizens and qualified voters directly or personally
involve themselves in making political decisions.
3. The best political structures will not work well if the elected representatives act according to
their personal interests, oblivious of the democratic principles they promised to uphold.
4. Jeffersonian Democracy focused on the needs of the ordinary people rather than the needs of
the elite and the educated.
5. Jacksonian Democracy underscored the need for leadership by those people who have great
abilities and these people should be chosen by the people.

II. Reflecting on the given quotation, answer the following questions:

“Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information,
there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power,
no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation.”
- Atifete Jahjaga

1. What is your vision of a good society?

2. What roles are best played by citizens, government, and other sectors in such a good society?

3. What would enable citizens to play their role more effectively in the development of the society in the
future?

Some questions presented in the pre-test are from Wired! Tends, Networks and Critical Thinking Skills in the 21st Century published by Phoenix Publishing House

DEMOCRATIC INTERVENTIONS

Democracy is one of the forms of government followed by ma

countries around the world. In this system, people collectively exercise e ny
rights to participate in decision-making processes. People casting qual
mass action, students rallying and other public clamor are eventuall votes,
heeded by politicians whom the people have elected to formulate a
and execute laws, maintain peace and order, pursue development and y
forge ties with other nations.
Democracy means the ‘power of the people’. It originates form
the Greek words, demos, which means people and kratos, which means
strength or power. In a democracy, hereditary class distinctions and
arbitrary class privileges are nonexistent. A democratic government is
one where the people hold the supreme power; where power is vested on
people; and where the people possess the sovereign will.
the
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY:

1. PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY: a democratic form

of government that features a leading party or coalition of parties whose
leader becomes the prime minister or chancellor. When the leading
party weakens or falls out of favor, the party that replaces it installs its
leader as prime minister or chancellor.
2. 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.
3. JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY: symbolized by Andrew 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.
4. 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.
• CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY: the monarch’s
power is limited by the constitution such as
Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand.
• CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC
o FEDERAL REPUBLIC: composed of
self- governing states that have consolidated
together, thus forming a federation. They
share some
administrative powers with a higher national or federal government such as India,
Pakistan, U.S., Germany, Argentina.
o UNITARY REPUBLIC: runs as one entity that has a strong central or national
government such as Philippines, Egypt, South Korea, Malta, Panama.
5. SOCIAL DEMOCRACY: associated with socialism. 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.

DIMENSIONS OF DEMOCRACY:

For political economic writers, democracy has one dimension only in terms of political rights in the
form of fair and free elections.

For Roger Betancourt, there are three dimensions of democracy such as:

POLITICAL RIGHTS: When people participate in government affairs

such as election of officials and the creation of laws, they exercise their
political rights.

CIVIL RIGHTS: the individual person’s right to autonomy and to act

freely without discrimination. They cover the rights to life, asylum, fair
trial, security and privacy. They likewise refer to the freedoms of
assembly, of thought, of expression, and of religion, among others.

POLITICAL LEGITIMIZATION: People have to signify acceptance

and recognition of their officials and should express willingness to
withstand what a certain government official could offer. A government
not recognized by the sovereign people is an illegitimate
government composed of illegitimate leaders and officials who possess
no right to rule and govern and thus are ignored by the people.

For Michael S. Perry, there are four dimensions of democracy:

THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE: The body-politic or the people who rule. They are in some sense a unified
people who exercise sovereignty either by direct means or through elected as representatives. They
compromise the citizens and the registered voters during elections.

THE PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCRACY: Equality is the underlying principle of democracy. People in a

democracy are sovereign equals.

THE STRUCTURE OF DEMOCRACY: The various formulations, mechanisms and institutions which are
crafted to enable the people to actualize their sovereign will in the democratic processes. The structures
of democracy are with variegated forms, including election of representatives and judges, terms of office, right
to petition to the government, etc.

THE PRACTICE OF DEMOCRACY: The translation of the concept of democracy into reality or making the
rule of the people concretely manifested.

Note: No matter how good the principles and structures are, if the people entrusted with authority show more
commitment to personal interests than to democracy, the failure of democracy is bound to happen.
 SOME PREFERRED DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES

This 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. Suffrage,
or the right to vote, gives the people the opportunity to
exercise sovereignty by choosing the candidates who will
govern and serve them. The prosperity and welfare of the
people greatly depend on the kind of leaders they vote into
office. Suffrage is an inalienable political right of the
citizens so that no one, unless declared by law as
disqualified, should be deprived of its exercise.

B. PROTEST AGAINST ELECTION FRAUD. Election is one

of the vital components of democracy. It expresses the
people’s choice of their representatives, who are tasked to
carry out the sovereign will of the people, in the
government. It is, thus,
necessary to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot, being a silent instrument by which the people’s
voice is expressed. Protest against fraudulent elections serves as a potent tool for obstructing the
continuation and promotion of flawed electoral processes. If uncontested, the ‘winners’ of the
fraudulent canvassing of votes would be declared as official winners and will assume their role. This
is an injustice both to the voters and to the legitimate winners.

C. COMMUNICATING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS A CIVIC

RESPONSIBILITY. A citizen’s enjoyment of human and political rights is coupled with his or her
fulfillment of civic responsibility, which is composed of acts and attitudes related to social
involvement and democratic governance. These acts, although not required by law, are nonetheless
contributory to the well-being of the community. Voting, behaving ethically, obedience to laws and
regulations, and participation in community activities are some examples of civic responsibility.
Civic responsibility differs from civic duty; the former is not necessarily a requirement but the latter
refers to acts that the citizens are legally required to do such as paying taxes, attending school, or
registering for military service.

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 in 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 opinions, to protest against, or
to air grievances on certain issues. Law enforcers
are not allowed to interfere with as well as to assist
and protect the people holding a peaceful march, rally
or protest. However, prior to the holding of a public
assembly, a permit should be applied for wherever it
is required.

E. CONDUCT OF PLEBISCITE TO AMEND A CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION. Any

initiative on the Constitution such as the amendment, revision, or change, should be undertaken
according to the law. A plebiscite is an electoral process for approving or rejecting a change 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. Shortly, after ratification, the amended provision is enforced. This
democratic practice is preferred as it allows the people to participate in political decision-making.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY VS. PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

• Indirect Democracy • Direct Democracy
• A political system where the qualified • All the eligible citizens and qualified
citizens exercise their political power voters directly or personally involve
through representatives. themselves in making political
decisions.
 • The sovereign power remains on the • Offers more opportunities for members
citizens but its exercise is delegated to of a population to contribute to
the representatives they elect. decision-making through popular
• By extension, the citizens, through their assemblies.
votes, allow these representatives to • An example situation in the Philippines
make choices and decisions on their was the EDSA People Power of 1986.
behalf. The people’s direct involvement in a
• Motivates individual citizens to series of protests to the dictatorial rule
contribute to policy making.
of President Ferdinand Marcos. Also,
• Many countries with parliaments or
the EDSA People Power of 2001 which
national assemblies are representative
peacefully overthrew the government of
democracies, regardless if they are
presidential or monarchial in form. President Joseph Estrada after
accusations of plunder and corruption.

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.

Gender Inequality, exploitation and oppression exist in gender or 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:
The prejudicial act or attitude toward male or females such as coeducational school
accepting more boys when there are more girl applicants who meet the requirements.
Wealth The widening gap between the rich and the poor, the diminishing number of the ‘haves’
Distribution and the increasing number of the ‘have-nots’ and the widening areas occupied by the
and Poverty homeless throughout the world are only a few of the negative impacts of undemocratic
practices in income distribution, which is one of the major causes of poverty.
Agrarian reforms, international labor migration, and industrialization constitute some of
the measures taken to diminish income and wealth inequality, but the results are
dismaying. Much is still to be done to address poverty, which badly needs the political will
Race Relations, of those in power.
Suffrage and Societies and governments that discriminate against individuals and groups by virtue of
Political ethnicity, race, religion, and socioeconomic background. A classic example of
Marginalization undemocratic race relations and racial inequality is Hitler’s racial anti-Semitism that led to
the inhumane Holocaust, referring to the genocide of 6 million Jews in Europe. Another
point is, persons with disabilities are more likely to be deprived of the chance to run for
public office. This is an example of political marginalization. A person is subjected
to political marginalization if he or she is unable to fully exercise their sovereign
Cultural power because they are deprived of the opportunity to do so.
Domination, In a society nestling multicultural, multireligious, and multiracial populations, domination
Representation, by major cultural or ethnolinguistic groups over cultural communities (minority groups) is
and the Politics evident. The major cultural groups enjoy more government support and priority in terms
of Recognition of development projects, higher representation in government and private offices, bigger
budgetary allocation, and more seats in the government. And the opposite is experienced
by those belonging to cultural communities.

SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY

Democracy can be eroded if abused, so it has to be strengthened and safeguarded against internal abuses
and external attacks. The best political structures will not work well if the elected representatives act according
to their personal interests, oblivious of the democratic principles they promised to uphold, and forgetful of the
plight of their constituents.

Protecting democracy requires the involvement of individual citizens, associations, and communities, as
well as the use of various strategies for such purpose. Mass media serve as potent tools both for upholding and
destroying democratic institutions. Irresponsible, corrupt, and dishonest media practitioners can create a
misinformed populace. When people are misinformed, they are unable to make and informed opinion
and judgment regarding issues. Thus, the media must guard their ranks against unscrupulous coworkers who
serve not to uphold democratic ideals. On the other hand, media can facilitate healthy and fruitful interactions
between citizens and officials, promote democratic principles, and safeguard political rights and civil liberties
through impartial, balanced, and responsible reporting. One notable movement toward these ends is media
democracy, which uses information technologies for the twin purpose of empowering citizen and
spreading democratic principals by way of information and dissemination. The citizen’s vigilance aided by
information technologies can maintain and sustain democracy for the present and future generations.
ACTIVITIES

Self- Check: Use the five W’s chart to organize the information you have learned from this lesson.

What?
Who?
Where?
When?
Why?

Post-Test:
*Please see MS Teams for the detailed instructions.

In the 2019 midterm elections, there are 31% of the 61, 843, 750 registered voters aged 18 to 30
years old (Millenial and Gen Z). This number seems to be a large part of the voter's population in the
Philippines but do Millenial and Gen Z care enough about elections to begin with?

We know that there are important factors that shape the youth’s attitude on politics and some of them are
education, religion, family and class.

TASK: MINITASK#1 for 2nd Quarter

1. to take the COMELEC iRehistro Voter Registration individually and create a campaign poster on “why
should you register and vote?” for students that are 18 years old above. (6 members, no need to submit an
accomplishment report)

2. create four parts - one awareness campaign poster that encourages and raises awareness “why should
youth register and vote?” for students who are 17 years old below, no need to submit an accomplishment
report, do this by collab group.

NOTE:
1. Students are NOT REQUIRED to go to the appointment schedule but they need to submit
their generated PDF file of your Online Application Form (OLAF). Just in case students would like to
pursue his/her online registration she/he needs to ask for his/her parent’s consent since we are still in
the community quarantine restriction.
2. If the student was already registered just submit the acknowledgement receipt and make a campaign
poster.

Deadline: September 30, 2021, 6:00pm

REFERENCES

Enriquez, R. (2020). Trends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century. Diwa Learning System Inc

Dela Cruz, R & Dela Cruz R. (2017). Wired! Trends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century.
Phoenix Publishing House

KEY ANSWER

Let’s Try This!