In Ireland we live in a democracy. Democracy means "Rule by the people" - the people decide who is to run the country. Abraham Lincoln, a famous America president defined democracy as "government of the people, by the people and for the people"!!
When a new state is brought about one of it's first duties is to draw up a constitution.
A constitution is a set of laws that determine how the country is to be ruled.
The government must abide by these laws. The people can change or amend the Constitution by a vote known as a referendum.
Eamon DeValera wrote the first Constitution in 1937 and it was approved by the Dáil and proposed to the Irish people.
It was accepted by them.
By Leon
(Future Professor of History!!)
Very interesting, Leon. Could we try out this 'democracy' idea in school? Could we have a school government of the people in our school, by the people in our school, for the people in our school?
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the benifits and drawbacks?
How would we go about writing a constitution? What should be in it?
How do you think this might change the way the school works now?