Chapter 7 – Taking part in politics

Introduction

The picture shows a man and a woman, supported by a giri and a boy, advocating their causes in public. The man’s poster shows the globe as a symbol of the world, while the woman is drawing attention to the five-pointed star on her poster, held by the boy supporting her. Perhaps this symbol corresponds to the surface they are standing on. Their expressions are friendly there is no sign of hostility. Adults and children are taking part in politics. They are making use of their right to demonstrate peacefully in public. Both sides are mixed in gender, therefore no gender issue is at stake. The two groups are competing – for attention and support by the majority. They are in direct confrontation, so no media, political parties or interest groups are involved.

The four people are standing on a surface resembling an irregularly pointed star. This symbol may be read in different ways. It may stand for the community that gives its citizens a sense of belonging together and that also provides a framework for rights, responsibilities and duties. The star could also resemble “the floor” that a citizen takes when speaking in public. Whoever chooses to stay off this floor will not be heard and must accept the decisions that are finally made. Citizens can take part in politics in many ways. EDC/HRE focuses on ways of active, direct participation. Taking part in politics is a right of children, not only of adults. To do so requires an understanding of the issue and careful judgment. Political participation in democracy needs to be taught in schools, which in turn requires schools to function as micro-societies that give students the opportunity to participate in managing their school affairs.

Both in democratic schools and democratic society, argument and controversy, even quarrel and conflict, are nothing to be feared but should be seen as something normal, even useful in democratic decision making. Settling clashes of ideas and interests are the basic method of solving problems and making decisions. If interests and objections are not articulated, they cannot be taken into account. In an open society, harmony – the “common good” – cannot be imposed, but needs to be negotiated. Controversy and conflict are not harmful if set in and supported by a culture of argument, conflict resolution and compromise.

The exercises focus on framework conditions and modes of political participation. This helps the students to appreciate their opportunities to participate in their community.