th 6 Grade Social Studies Unit 7 Lesson

th 6 Grade Social Studies Unit 7, Lesson 4: To What Extent Do Democracies Promote Freedom? 1

Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 -180 AD) "a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed. " 2

Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 -180 AD) "a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed. " What ideas about government do you see in this quote? 3

Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 -180 AD) "a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed. " Rule of law Equality under the law 4

Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 -180 AD) "a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed. " equality/ civil liberties 5

Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 -180 AD) "a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed. " freedom of speech/ civil liberties 6

Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 -180 AD) "a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed. " Emperor recognizes the importance of the will of the people 7

FREEDOM Political Rights Civil Liberties Economic Freedom 8

FREEDOM Political Rights • Rights that enable people to participate in selfgovernment • Examples: • Right to vote • Right to hold office • Right to engage in other political activities 9

FREEDOM Civil Liberties • Personal freedoms and guarantees that government cannot violate by law. • The scope of civil liberties varies among countries. • In the US, many of our civil liberties are found in the First Amendment: freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition government for redress of grievances 10

FREEDOM Economic Freedom • The liberty to choose how to produce, sell, and use your own resources • In the United States, private property rights and the right to contract are protected in the Constitution. 11

FREEDOMS IN CONFLICT Political Rights Civil Liberties Economic Freedom 1. A shop owner claims the right to not serve people he considers immoral, including homosexuals. 2. A school bans weapons like knifes, but a Sikh student want to bring a Kirpan, a sacred and traditional Sikh dagger to school in accordance with his faith. 3. Several businesses support a particular candidate by contributing money to create an advertisement against his opponent. 12

Freedom House • An independent watchdog organization • Dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world • Founded in 1941, Freedom House was the first American organization to champion the advancement of freedom globally Today, as more than two billion people live under oppressive rule, Freedom House speaks out against the main threats to democracy and empowers citizens to exercise their fundamental rights. It analyzes the challenges to freedom; advocates for greater political and civil liberties; and supports frontline activists to defend human rights and promote democratic change. Video about Freedom House: https: //youtu. be/Af 7 Ly 1 g. Vp. Mw 13

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Freedom House examines political rights and civil liberties throughout the world. 15

Political Rights individuals have that enable them to take part in self-governing. TURN AND TALK: What rights might this include? STOP AND JOT… write your ideas on the sticky notes! 16

Political Rights individuals have that enable them to take part in self-governing. • Electoral Process • Political Pluralism and Participation • Functioning of Government 17

Political Rights individuals have that enable them to take part in self-governing. • Electoral Process - formal decision making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office 18

Political Rights individuals have that enable them to take part in self-governing. • Political Pluralism and Participation – Pluralism - political power in society does not lie with the electorate but is distributed between a wide number of groups – Participation any activity that shapes, affects, or involves the political sphere. • Examples: voting, attending a rally, sending a letter to a representative 19

Political Rights individuals have that enable them to take part in self-governing. • Functioning of Government – People who have the authority to make decisions have the power to do so and are free from undue influences; and – how the government functions in terms of fairness, honesty, openness, and transparency 20

Civil Liberties Personal rights that are granted to citizens of a country through laws. TURN AND TALK: What rights might this include? JOT DOWN SOME OF YOUR IDEAS! 21

Civil Liberties Personal rights that are granted to citizens of a country through laws. • Freedom of Expression and Belief • Associational and Organizational Rights • Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights 22

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Activity Each is worth 0 – 4 points 25

Activity 12 Each is worth 0 – 4 points 26

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2014 Freedom Rating for the United States 33

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2014 Freedom Rating Data

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Democracy is needed and desired by people in less developed countries, but their devotion to democracy often puts to shame citizens of the established democracies, who too often take democracy for granted and have become somewhat jaded in their appreciation of democracy’s benefits to their own lives. It is not surprising that democracy’s most impassioned advocates today should come from countries where democracy is least secure. Perhaps this will remind those who are fortunate enough to live in secure democracies to value what they have – and also to help those living where freedom is less secure to fulfill their aspirations for a democratic future. by Carl Gershman, President The National Endowment for Democracy

Democracy is needed and desired by people in developing countries, but their devotion to democracy often puts to shame citizens of the established democracies, who too often take democracy for granted and have become somewhat jaded in their appreciation of democracy’s benefits to their own lives. It is not surprising that democracy’s most impassioned advocates today should come from countries where democracy is least secure. Perhaps this will remind those who are fortunate enough to live in secure democracies to value what they have – and also to help those living where freedom is less secure to fulfill their aspirations for a democratic future. by Carl Gershman, President The National Endowment for Democracy

Homework or Classwork Locate a news headline that shows the interaction of two or more governments. EXAMPLE: Secretary of State Kerry Cites Progress in Iran Talks While Gaps Remain 40

Property of Oakland Schools Author: Carol Egbo Editor: Amy Bloom 41