What Is Purposeful Citizenship?
During civics courses, Canadian students learn about democratic citizenship, organized into three strands: informed, purposeful and active citizenship. All three are interconnected and seemingly identical, but each is used to describe a different type of citizen. This applies not only to the Canadian society, but also in other democratic systems, such as those of the U.S. and the United Kingdom, where essays on "purposeful" citizenship and citizen participation have made their appearance.
Other People Are Reading
-
Awareness of Society's Values
-
A purposeful citizen has deep knowledge of key civic issues, such as the country's form of government (presidential republic in the United States), an individual's rights (such as civil liberties and right to education), as well as the citizens' responsibilities towards the community (taxation for instance). Citizens learn primarily at school, but also through special programs on the country's media, or state publications, such as awareness brochures, which aim to clarify the role of the individual within society.
Understanding Social Structure
-
A purposeful citizen knows how society is structured. For example, a residential constitutional democracy is functioning on the basis of free democratic elections every four years, individuals contribute to society with their taxes, on state and federal level, while their rights are protected by the police and in courts of law.
-
Role in Society
-
Purposeful citizens have a sense of identity in society and understand the purpose of being a citizen within a given community, bearing all the responsibilities, but also enjoying their rights. For example, highly-skilled and highly-paid doctors have the role of providing medical services to members of the community, contribute to the state's wealth with their arguably high taxes, but also expect safety at home and at their public life. Furthermore, the beliefs and values of purposeful citizens are aligned to the community's.
Difference with Informed and Active Citizens
-
An informed citizen is aware of the fundamental values of the society and the way it functions, whereas a purposeful citizen has also knowledge about his or her position in society, as well as the rights and responsibilities it comes with. Active citizens are aware of all the values and are committed in making the community a better place to live, through their volunteer work or their participation in decision-making boards, such as a local anti-crime committee.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
