Grade 12
WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
TARGET,
at the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
.Define the concept of democracy
.Identify the elements of democracy
EXPLORE.
Think-Pair-Share. Because democracy is both a concrete form of government and a societal aspiration, it
is important for learners to understand that they are trying to define something that is difficult to
explain. To understand democracy better, student will be asked to gauge decision-making in group using
different forms of political organization such as dictatorship, oligarchy and democracy.
Student are asked to group themselves into three. The class will be asked to brainstorm words or
phrases they associate with the words democracy. What comes to mind when you hear the word
democracy? Record your ideas on blank sheet of paper and share your brainstormed lists with each
other in pairs.
After sharing, the class will be asked the following questions. Your teacher will call pairs at random:
a. What is one example of democracy?
b. What is one example of something that is not democratic?
EXAMINE
Read the article by Marvin A. Tort. As you read, be guided by the following questions:
a. What are the 4 Key elements of democracy as elaborate by Larry Jay Diamond? In your opinion, do
these elements apply in the Philippine setting? Why or Why not?
b. What are other definition of democracy in the article?
c. According to the author, Why is democracy a “delusion” in the Philippines? Do you agree or disagree?
BUILD
Editorial cartoons deliver a punch. they take jabs at powerful politicians,
reveal official hypocrisies and incompetence, and can even help change the course of history. But
political cartoons are not just the stuff in the past. Cartoonists are commenting on the world’s current
events all the they challenge our perception and attitudes.
. Create an editorial cartoon about the state of democracy today in the Philippines.
Focus one or few aspects of the key elements of democracy and comment on the state of this element
in our country today.
A. True or False. Write T if the statement is true. Write F if the statement is False.
B. Essay. Reflection on the question below and write your response in no more than 3-5 paragraphs.
TARGET:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
. understand the principles of democracy
. Identify the Benefirts of Democracy participation
EXPLORE
New Reporting Exercise. Imagine you are a political or government expert being interviewed on TV.
Students will be called at random for their “expert opinion “ on the current state of and challenges to
the following components of Philippine democracy: Elections, of Human Rights, maintenance of the Rule
of Law, Fee and Independent Media. The answer must not be more then 5minutes long.
EXAMINE
PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY
During lecture conducted at Stanford University, Larry Diamond (2004) described democracy as
comprising of four major principles:
a. free and fair election:
b. active participation of citizens in politics and public life:
c. protection of the human rights of all citizens;
d. abides by the rule of law in which the law and procedures apply equally to all citizens.
LESSON 12
A. write which benefit of democracy participation applies to the statements below:
B. Essay. Although a democracy offers higher levels of freedom to have average person, it is not free
from disadvantages. It is not a perfect system of government. Therefore, to have a well-rounded view of
democracy – and to know how to ably solve its challenges – one must know what the downsides are to
democracy.
Choose one (1) from the following commonly cited disadvantages of femocracy below and expound on
them in an essay that not exceed five paragraphs.
a. democracies invite mob mentality.
b. anyone can vote. It does not require that voters be educated or be taxpayers. Therefore, democracy
can encourage corruption
c. democracy favors the needs of the majority
d. Democracies can encourage unfair business practices.
LESSON 13
WHAT ARE PARTICIPATORY AND REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACIES?
TARGET:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
. define and differentiate participatory in democracy democracies
. explain the importance of participation in democracy
. understand their relevance to our current political and social landscape
EXPLORE
citizens must fully participate in society and the civic process in order to fully enjoy the privileges and
benefits of democracy. Making your voice and participate in the democratic process.
Your teacher will hand out voting cards to the whole class. These cards are marked with Yes’, No,” or
“Abstain. Your teacher will then be calling out a series of policy position about issues faced by our
society today (e,g. The state should legalize same-sex marriage, pass a divorce bill, implement universal
healthcare, lower income taxes income taxes, etc.) all students must hold up a voting card in reply to the
policy position. Some of you will be called on to explain why you have held up your voting cards for
certain issues.
A brief discussion will follow. What insights did you learn about the democratic process through this
exercise?
BUILD
After learning about participatory and representative democracy, you must have formed your opinions
on the benefits and challenges of both types of democracy. For this activity, the class will be divided into
two (2) One section will write a 1-page persuasive essay about representative democracy, while the
other will write about participatory democracy.
the letter must adequately and succinctly discuss the benefits of either type of democracy.
