What are the beliefs of the democratics?

Democratic Values

· Today Canada is a democratic country governed by an elected parliament that operates according to rules set out in a written constitution

· Laws protect people from harm and ensure that needs of both individuals and community are met

· Values are beliefs that govern behavior and choices of citizens who belong to a society

· 4 important values that guide the government of a democratic society such as Canada's are:

o Rule of law

o Common good

o Majority rule

o Minority right

· Canada's system of government is designed to promote and uphold these values

Rule of Law

· Canadians abide by the rule of law

· This means that everyone is governed by laws that apply to all people

· These laws protect and improve citizens rights

· No one, not even the most important of powerful leaders is above the law

· This means, laws are made by elected representatives of people

· Laws can be changed, but only after the changes are discussed and voted by the elected representatives

Common Good

· In a country as large and diverse as Canada, it's often hard to define common good.

Majority Rule

· The idea that the will of the majority - what most people want should prevail is a basic principle of decision making

· It means that the view shared by the largest number of people in a community is one that rules when decisions are made

· In Canada, majority rule does not mean that those in the minority have no rights at all

· Majority rule is balanced out by the idea of Minority Rights

Minority Rights

· In democratic societies, the rights of minority groups are recognized and protected by the majority

· This means that members of groups who don't share the same beliefs of the majority enjoy the same rights of legal, economic and social equality as members of majority

· In Canada, for example language rights of linguistic minorities such as English speaking people in Quebec and French speaking people in other parts of Canada are guaranteed in constitution

· The rights of the minorities such as aboriginal peoples and religious groups are also protected