Social decision-making

Objectives Curriculum Expectations: compare the benefits and drawbacks of democratic and authoritarian forms of decision making, drawing on examples from everyday contexts (e.g., with respect to the rights and responsibilities of citizens; the rule of law; the common good; the parliamentary system; majority rule and the rights of minorities, including Aboriginal peoples); By the end of this presentations, you should be able to: Define what is meant by the term citizen. List 3 different types of citizens. Identify what success in Civics might include, by establishing goals and rules that enable success. Define democracy and democratic decision-making. Define autocracy and autocratic decision-making. Define consensus and consensual/collaborative decision-making. Identify the type of decision making used in everyday examples. Discuss how decisions are made in everyday examples. Explain why there are different models for different situations. Explain how you think decisions should be made.

Citizen Citizen: a member of a state or nation who is given certain rights, such as the right to vote The Informed Citizen is: committed to democratic values and decision-making knowledgeable and informed about how the Canadian government operates The Active Citizen is: committed to political and social change within Canada sees the necessity of reform at the local, provincial, or national level, and uses democratic methods to try to bring about change The Global Citizen is: committed to change at the international level believes that we are interconnected with nations and people around the world, and that their actions and concerns ultimately affect us

How does society make decisions? In groups of 4-5, select one person to be the recorder and another to be the presenter. Consider the following questions with your cooperative group: What are your goals in this course? Who will ensure that these goals are met? How do we ensure that most goals are met? Write your answers on chart paper.

How does society make decisions? Walk around the room to observe other groups ’ responses. Return to your group and discuss the following questions: What goals were held in common? What goals were different? Were the goals realistic? What rules would have to be agreed on if these goals were to be achieved? Post the completed answers for further discussion.

How does society make decisions? As a whole class, we must now select five main goals from all the ideas that have been presented. How will we decide?

Democratic decision-making DefinitionExamplesBenefitsDrawbacks A group decision is made by a majority vote Canada United States of America -Majority decides -More ideas are considered -Everyone has an equal say -Can take a long time to reach a decision -Decision may not please everyone Democracy: Citizens choose their government, usually by electing representatives.

Autocratic decision-making DefinitionExamplesBenefitsDrawbacks A group decision is made by one person Kim Jong Il N Korea Dictator Adolf Hitler WW2 Germany Pope Benedict XVI Roman Catholic Church King Henry VIII King of England in 16 th Century -Decisions made quickly -Limits debate -Citizens feel left out or angry -Not all ideas are heard Autocracy: One person (or a small group of people) rules with absolute power.

Consensual / Collaborative decision- making DefinitionExamplesBenefitsDrawbacks Everyone agrees with the decision by working together United Nations Security Council Teens ordering pizza -Everyone is happy with the decision -More ideas are considered -Everyone has an equal say -Takes a VERY long time to reach a consensus -A decision may never be reached, because one person can stop the process Consensus: An agreement is reached through discussion not a vote.

Identify the type of decision making used. ScenerioDemocratic decision-making Autocratic decision-making Consensual / Collaborative decision-making The principal decides that students have been behaving wonderfully, and provides a free pizza lunch for everyone in the school. The Grade 10 class has been asked to vote for a candidate to sit on the Student Council. The presidents of the parent and student councils, the principal, and a teacher representative agree on a new code of conduct for the student body. A family is trying to decide how household duties will be shared. A basketball team must decide who will be the starting players for the game. A class is trying to choose one activity for fundraising. A group of friends is deciding what movie or club to go to. A principal is asking for input on the recent rash of locker break- ins.

Everyday Examples Discuss how decisions are made: in your home in your class at a club or team you belong to among your friends in your school Why there are different models for different situations. How do you think decisions should be made?