What does it mean to live in a democracy?
I can explain the main features of representative democracy and explore the issues around balancing democratic values with our rights.
- Year 11
What does it mean to live in a democracy?
I can explain the main features of representative democracy and explore the issues around balancing democratic values with our rights.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Democracy means ‘rule of the people’, where citizens hold political power.
- Representative democracy allows elected individuals to make decisions on behalf of the public.
- Democracy is based on core values such as freedom, justice, participation, accountability, tolerance and human rights.
- Balancing democratic values with rights involves protecting freedoms like speech while preventing things like abuse.
- This balance is kept through laws like the Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010, alongside judicial oversight.
Keywords
Representative democracy - a type of democracy where citizens choose others to represent them in making important decisions on their behalf
Democratic values - the fundamental principles that guide democratic systems of governance and ensure the protection of individual rights and the fair participation of all citizens in political life
Common misconception
Democracy is just about voting.
Democracy is about more than just voting. Democratic values include freedom of speech, the right to protest and freedom to assemble etc.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which Act protects people from discrimination in schools, workplaces and services?
Q2.Order the following steps in how the UK uses international human rights.
Q3.Match the legal support route with what it offers.
Q4.The UK has signed up to the UDHR, which sets out human rights that apply to everyone.
Q5.Which of these would most likely handle a complaint about unfair treatment at work?
Q6.What year was the UDHR signed?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with its definition.
Q2.What year was the Human Rights Act introduced in the UK?
Q3.Democracy is based on core values such as freedom, justice, participation, accountability, tolerance and rights.
Q4.What was introduced in 1215 to limit the monarch’s power and protect the rights of barons and free men?
Q5.Balancing democratic values with rights involves protecting like speech, while preventing things like abuse.
Q6.Match the start of the sentence with its ending.
