Question 1
According to the study material, democracy in its simplest meaning is
Strand 1 · Government and Development
Government Year 2 Learner Material, Section 2: Democracy and Governance
Welcome to Section Two of Year Two Learning Material. Do you remember our discussions of the ‘concept of democracy’ in Year One Learning Material? We learned that democracy, in its simplest meaning, is the rule of the majority, either directly or indirectly. In this section, you will learn more about democracy and its features. The rationale is to give you a broader understanding of the building blocks of democracy.
You will also be introduced to the governance concept and its principles underpinning democracy for sustainable development. Review questions are provided at the end of the section for practice. Enjoy your studies!
Key Ideas
• Governance has its core principles that should be abided by political leaders. These principles include the rule of law, participation, inclusion, periodic national elections, and limited government, among others.
• There is a relationship between democracy and governance. These two key concepts are related and form the central pillars of the rights and freedoms of citizens and national development.
• The main features of democracy include a multi-party system, freedom of the media, tolerance of opposing views, respect for the fundamental rights of citizens, and freedom of speech and association, among others.
Democracy in its simplest form is a rule by the majority. This means that power directly or indirectly resides in the hands of the people. Democracy, a form of government, has several features. These include:
Activity 2.1 Features of Democracy
1. Watch/listen to an audio description video of the features of democracy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi-getj3JX8
2. Based on the video, complete the table below. Share your answers with your peer for discussion.
Table 2.1
Features How will you support the features through your actions/ inactions?
Rule of Law
Basic human rights Free and fair elections Citizen participation Free press
3. Watch/listen to the audio descriptive video in the link: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=O6-MjHBBmBw.
4. Based on your observations from the video and further research, discuss the implications of democracy for development in Ghana. Prepare a presentation for further discussion.
Governance refers to the management of the affairs of the state using a collective approach. This involves more people in the decision-making process to address the challenges of society. The concept of good governance, as pioneered by the World Bank, refers to clean government that provides quality services to the citizens through effective and transparent administration and management. Therefore, good governance refers to the effectiveness of the decision-making process and its benefits to the people.
Good governance has several principles. Some of these principles of good governance are explained below.
• Participation: Citizens’ involvement in the decision-making process
• Efficiency and effectiveness: Providing basic services at a lower cost
• Responsiveness: Listening and responding to the needs of the citizens
• Gender representation/Inclusion: Both males and females are adequately represented in the affairs of the state.
Activity 2.2 Governance
The link below shows an audio description of students sharing their views on governance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY1a2ZUl_QA.
From the video, do the following activities.
1. What, in your view, are the meanings of governance and good governance?
Discuss your responses with a friend.
2. From the video, conduct further research into the principles of good governance. Prepare a five-minute presentation for class discussion.
3. Complete the table below on the relationship between democracy and governance
Table 2.2
Democracy Governance
According to the study material, democracy in its simplest meaning is
The Asante Municipal Assembly finds a cheaper way to collect refuse and still keeps the streets cleaner. Which principle of good governance is this showing?
A country holds regular elections, but the government arrests journalists who criticise it and prevents opposition parties from holding rallies. Which feature of democratic governance is most clearly missing?
Which statement best describes the relationship between democracy and governance in the study material?
At a public forum in Tamale, members of different political parties are allowed to express their views, and the district assembly later publishes its accounts for citizens to inspect. Which features are best demonstrated?
In the Akatsi South District, residents complain that decisions on where to build a new market are taken only by the District Chief Executive and a few officials. Many youth groups are not invited to public hearings, and the local FM station is warned not to criticise the assembly. The assembly says it wants to practise democracy and good governance.
Explain any three features of a democratic system of governance.
Analyse any three principles of good governance that the Akatsi South District Assembly should follow in locating the new market.
Justify why democracy and good governance are important for the development of the district.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Ho is organising a forum on democracy and good governance. A participant says: 'Democracy means only that the majority wins elections. Governance is the work of government alone.' The NCCE wants to correct these views.
Distinguish between democracy and governance.
Analyse any three features of a democratic system of governance that the NCCE should explain to the participant.
Justify why good governance is necessary for democracy to promote development in Ghana.