School: Abune Gorgorious

Subject: Citizenship Education Short Note

Grade: 10 A/Year: 2016 E.C

Introduction to Citizenship Education

Definition of Nationality

 Nationality refers to the legal relationship between an individual and

a specific nation or country.
 It denotes a person’s membership or affiliation with a particular
nation, often determined by birth or through other means like
naturalization or descent.
 Nationality defines a person’s political identity in the context of a
specific country and grants certain rights and obligations associated
with being a member of that nation....

Definition of Citizenship

 Citizenship can be traced back to the ancient Greece city states

(500 BC).
 it is about the relationship between the individual and the state.
 Citizenship is a legal status that recognizes a person as a full
member of a particular country or nation.
 It is a subset of nationality that represents a more formal and active
relationship between an individual and the state.
 Being a citizen grants specific rights, privileges, and responsibilities
within the political community....
 Citizenship has four main components/ Dimensions:
1. Rights, 3. Membership
2. Participation 4. Legal status)
 Whereas membership and legal status are about cultural and
juridical inclusion in communities of citizens,
 Both rights and participation are about the entitlements and
responsibilities that follow from such inclusion.

Citizenship as a legal status, means that there is a contractual relation

between an individual and the state that carries with it both rights and
responsibilities.

 In summary, nationality represents the legal relationship between

an individual and a country, while citizenship emphasizes the active
participation and responsibilities that come with being a member of
that country.
 In many cases, the terms are used interchangeably, but it’s
essential to understand their subtle distinctions in legal and political
contexts.
Citizen:

 A person who is a legal member of a country, and who can exercise

rights and perform duties by virtue of that membership.
 A citizen is a legitimate member of a country.
 Citizen, is a person who is legally recognized as a member or
subject of a country or state
 A participatory member of a political community.
 the legal resident of a country who are
 granted specific rights and duties by the state
 expected to follow their country’s rules and defend it against
its enemies in exchange
Focus
 Almost all people have citizenship in at least one country.

 Not all the people in a nation (state) are citizens of that country. b/se
many countries have non-citizen nationals-citizens

 In some cases, however, national means a person who owes loyalty to

a country but lacks full membership in it.

The difference between Nationality and Citizenship

Nationality Citizenship

Nationality denotes where an Citizenship is a legal status in a

individual has been born or holds political institution such as a city or
citizenship with a state. Nationality a state. The relationship between a
is obtained through inheritance citizen and the institution that
from his/her parents, confers this status is formal,

It is necessarily an “ethnic” or It is a Legal or Juristic concept

“racial” concept
the place or country where the The individual is designated as a
individual has taken birth citizen by the government of the
Indicates where an individual is country
born. can be witnessed as a political
position
Birth and Inheritance (subject to the Birth, Inheritance, Marriage,
rules prevalent in the count Naturalization,
Nationality cannot be changed Citizenship can be changed
An example of nationality is An example of citizenship is an
Armenian to a person with Indian being conferred US
Armenian roots born in the United Citizenship upon clearing a
Kingdom citizenship test
Nationality refers to the legal part of Citizenship is the political part of
the identity of an individual the identity of an individual. It
allows them to live, work, and vote
in a specific country.
The nationality of an individual can Anyone can denounce their
neither change nor can they citizenship.
denounce.
Nationality represents an Citizenship represents the place of
individual’s place of birth or registration.
ancestry.
An individual cannot be a national An individual can possess
of more than one nation-state. citizenship in more than one
country.
 To conclude, nationality, as the name suggests, is something in
connection with the nation, which a person obtains by birth and is
innate. On the other hand, citizenship is a bit different, which requires
a person to fulfill the legal formalities to become a recognized member
of the state.
 Nationality indicates the place where a person or his parents are born
and Citizenship is legally acquired after fulfilling the eligibilities of
becoming a citizen of any country.

Q 2. Are citizenship and nationality interrelated?

Ans. A person’s nationality remains the same throughout his lifetime as it

is inherited. However, a citizenship can be changed.

The difference between nationality and citizenship occurs with the

possibility of change.

FURTHERMORE

 Nationality is hereditary membership, whereas Citizenship is the

legal recognition of membership in a nation-state.
 However, both terms reflect the individual’s relationship to the
state. Citizenship does not always imply nationality because one
can obtain it through naturalization, registration, or other means.
 The term “nationality” refers to the lineage of individuals and
ancestral connections to a specific country.
 Citizenship, as opposed to nationality, is a legal status. It
determines the rights and obligations of an individual. Here, we will
explore the conceptual difference between Nationality and
Citizenship to understand these in depth.
  A nationality cannot be replaced with another country’s nationality,
whereas citizenship can be updated, changed, or reversed.
 The nationality of an individual is determined by where they were
born
 Nationality has a wider scope than citizenship
 Citizenship can be seen as a political status because it indicates
which country recognizes you as a citizen.

Focus

 Almost all people have citizenship in at least one country.

 Not all the people in a nation (state) are citizens of that country. b/se
many countries have non-citizen nationals-citizens
 In some cases, however, national means a person who owes loyalty to
a country but lacks full membership in it.
Definition of Citizenship education

 is a school Subject that develops knowledge, skills and understanding

that pupils/citizens need to play a full part in democratic society, as
active and responsible citizens.
 is the practical study and knowledge of the legal rights, virtues,
privileges and obligations of citizens vis-à-vis their role in the socio-
cultural, political, economic and democratic development of their
state/country.
 it is a type of education that teaches citizens the principles of good
citizenship

Goals of citizenship

 Produce good and patriotic citizens

 to balance regional and cultural diversity with national unity
 to eliminate inequalities related to race, gender, age, class and
ethnicity
 to ensure the successful functioning of the economy
 to equip young people to deal with situations of conflict and
controversy knowledgeably and tolerantly.
 To give good reasons for the things they say and do and to expect
good reasons to be given by others.
 To have Knowledge and understanding of Human rights
 To promote young people’s participation in political and civic life.
 To Produce Good Leadership and followership
 To Promote democratic values and good governance
 To produce law abiding citizens
 to promote democratic principles
 to Educate citizens on issues of global concern

Importance of Citizenship Education

There are many reasons why citizenship education important. However,
below are some of the reasons why citizenship education is important:

 Allowing Citizens to Contribute for Common Good

 Knowing of the Fundamental Human Rights
 Knowing the System of Government operating in the State
 Knowing the Societal Arrangement
 Knowing the Societal Past/History
 Knowing Fairness among Citizens
 Knowing the Reality about Nationality
 Bringing Freedom Consciousness among Citizens

UNIT ONE
DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIZATION
Learning outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

 Understand the concept of democracy and democratization

 Show an appreciation for the importance of democracy for social
transformation
 Internalize democratic values

Definition of Democracy

 There is no absolute definition of democracy.

 The term is elastic and expands and contracts according to the
time, place and circumstances of its use.
 The term democracy is used to cover a wide range of political
systems; some of which are old and experienced, while others
relatively new and inexperienced.
 To this end, the following are some of the possible definitions of the
term democracy.
 It is a flexible and open political system; not achieved once and for
all b/se it takes time and effort from every citizen to build it.
 It is made by the people and it is in the people who create it and in
the principles by which they live
 Therefore, democracy is the direct product of all citizens of the
nation.

Etymological Definition
The word democracy was derived from two Greek words:
"Demo" is to mean -People

"Kratos“-is to refer to rule(legitimate power to rule)

 In this case, the word democracy implies the idea of:

 Rule by the people or
 Government by the people
 Government of the Majority

Dictionary definition of the term

Entails that democracy is a state of government in which people hold the

ruling power either directly or indirectly through their elected
representatives.

The Webster New Encyclopaedic Dictionary (1995) defines

democracy as a government in which supreme power is invested in the
people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through
representation.

Abraham Lincoln
Defined democracy as:
1. Government of the people- represents the source of legitimacy as well as of
government officials is from nothing but the people,
2. By the people– it is exercised by the people
3. From the people- representatives the people is elected or chosen among from the
people
4. For the people. -implies to the idea that government officials should act for the
advantage and according to the interest of the people.
Plato’s definition
 Plato believed that expertise is the critical attribute of a leader;
 Democracy — Rule by the Ignorant
 “All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one
workman.” “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight
to the imagination, and life to everything.”
 “The measure of a man is what he does with power.”

Larry Diamond (2004)-

 describes democracy as a system of government with four key

elements:
1. A system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair
elections;
 2. Active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life;
3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens; and
4. A rule of law in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.
Political definition:
Democracy:
 is a way of determining who shall govern.
 A form of government in which political control is exercised by the
people- supreme power is given to the people
 A form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people
 A system where people can change their rulers in a peaceful
manner and the government is given the right to rule.
 A system of government in which people are governed by persons
whom they elect as their leader.
 A mechanism used to nurse all sorts of conflict through ethical
values.

Significance of each letter of the word democracy

D- Division of power, authority, duty-consciousness of individuals

E- Equality, Ethical values

M- Mutual understanding
O- Objective attitude, open-mindedness
C- Cooperation, classless society
R- Rational thinking, respect for others ideas
A- Appreciation of others culture and beliefs
C- Caring and concern for others, constructive and
creative attitude

Y- Yearning for living and walking together

 Direct Democracy
o known as Athenian, traditional, pure democracy
 in which all citizens of a country are given direct and active
participation in the decision making process of their countries.
  was both more and less democratic than the democracies we know
today
 the people decide on policies without intermediary
 still works among communities of small size
 Direct, constant and unhampered involvement of people in political life
 No formal distinction between the people and the government, they
are in practice one and the same.
 There are no professional politicians
 It can be described as a system of self-government
 Removes the distinction between government and the governed.
 Referendums, demonstrations, petitions, citizen’s initiatives

Advantages Demerits

 Every citizen has equal power in  the majority is not obligated to

matters of government. Every citizen protect the rights of the minority
is involved in the decision making.  most decisions are based on self-
 Removes the distinction between interest
government and the governed  Needs high cost
 governments cannot hide information  time consuming
from the people  only works when a small number
 Every vote carries the same weight of people are involved
 There is more accountability
 People are typically happier when they
live in a direct democracy
 more cooperation occurs
 alters the purpose of a vote
 provides direct responsibility
 promote a well cooperative community
Modern Democracy
 which the whole bodies of all eligible citizens remain the sovereign
power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected
representatives
 is based on mass population and
 it isn’t physically viable to sit and collaborate on an idea or reform.
 every vote has equal weight,
 citizens pass their authority to their representatives
 allows competitive elections which promote equality among all eligible
citizens in all respects, and
 also ensures that the rules of all elections are clear, set out in advance,
 allows freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and freedom
of the press

Merits Demerits

 Slightly easier to address  Lack of accountability and

problems transparency-may distort
the demands of the people
 Works when a large number to suit their own political
of people are involved advantages
 is less expensive  Decision making is time
consuming
 People still have a voice.
 Benefits the majority
 It simplifies the decision-
making process.  Being restricted to the act of
voting every few years
 It offers a practicable form
of democracy, as large
populations cannot actually
participate in the
governmental process.

1.2 Definitions and actors of

democratization process
The meaning of democratization
 Democratization is a complex, long-term, dynamic, and open-ended process.
 It consists of progress towards a more rule-based, more consensual and more
participatory type of politics.
 it can be understood as a political process that moves the political system of a given
country into democracy.
 is the transition to a more democratic political regime, including substantive political
changes moving in a democratic direction.
 It is a transition from:
1. an authoritarian regime to a full democratic political system
2. an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy
3. a semi-authoritarian political system to a democratic political system.
 Democratization is a process which leads to a more open, more participatory, less
authoritarian society.
 is a process leading to the introduction, institutionalization and consolidation of
democracy in non-democratic societies

Actors in democratization process

• Political parties
 are vectors of democracy.
 They are essential to the functioning and durability of democracy.
 They are not only the instruments through which power is attained by
means of free, fair and transparent elections but also are the settings
for working out practical ideas and proposals which may constitute
alternative programs to the government.
 are endemic to democracy.

• Civil societies
 Non-governmental associations and organizations are valuable vectors
of democracy.
 They differ from political parties only in their final goal,
 But they all contribute to consciousness raising, defense of the
legitimate interests of groups of individuals and the protection of
individual and collective rights and freedoms.
 The efficiency of the work of civil society depends on the extent to
which such associations are autonomous or institutionalized.

3. Interest groups

 are organizations or groups of people,

  are autonomous from gov.t or political parties with the objective of influencing
government.
 attempt to promote and influence the policies of government.
 are regarded as essential transmission belts between people and government.
 bridge the gap between the citizen and government-citizens communicate their wants
on policy goals to government leaders.

4. Media

 refers to an institution and to the methods of communication which can reach large
number of people at the same time.
 It includes newspapers, television, radio, books, posters, magazines, cinema, etc.
 It plays a role in the political training of citizens and in building democratic culture.
 But, to perform those functions, it must be free and independent; it must have
sufficient material and human resources to deal with all the important problems of the
society.

 Democratic institutions
 are institutions that facilitate and promote the operations of democracy.
 They are those institutions that make democracy to work.
 Some democratic institutions are:
a. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
b. Political Parties
c. Pressure Group
d. Arms of Government
INEC:
 is a corporate body charged with the responsibility of organizing, conducting and
supervising elections into electoral offices in the country.

Functions of INEC:

1. Conduct of election
2. Conduct of referenda and plebiscites
3. Voters registration
4. Constituency delimitation (division of the country into constituency)
 5. Register political parties, monitor the organization and operation of political parties
and campaign
6. Provision of electoral officers and materials
7. Fixing of date of election
8. Provide security at the polling station
9. Education the electorate

B. POLITICAL PARTIES:

 are organized group of individual who share same political ideologies, beliefs and
interests and who are seeking to win elections and control the state power and
machinery of government.

Functions of Political Parties:

1. serve as a forum for national unity and mutual understanding.

2. It serves as machinery for recruitment /appointment
3. Educate members and the general public
4. It serves as a link between the people and the government
5. It ensures political stability in government
6. It allows for harmonization of sectional and diversified interest
7. Provision of social amenities and infrastructure
8. It helps to sensitize the electorate on crucial national issues, governmental policies
and programmes
9. Political parties ensure that the party in power is accountable to the electorate through
constructive criticism.
D. Arms/ branches Government:
 It includes, *Executive *Legislature: *Judiciary:
Their main functions
a. Executive - execute/implement the law
b. Legislature - make the law
c. Judiciary - Interprets the law