The study of civics is crucial for
understanding the rights and responsibilities of
citizens in a democratic country. Civics provides
insight into the workings of the government, the
constitution, and the three major branches of
government. Furthermore, it explains the various sources
of income for the government and the different types of
state expenditures.
In a democracy, the people are the ones
who count. They elect their representatives to run the
government, and the citizens must elect wisely if they
want an able and efficient government. Therefore, they
must know whom they are electing and whether they can
deliver the goods. Since representatives are elected on
party basis, the citizen should know the philosophy,
policies, and capabilities of the various parties. The
sacredness of the citizen's franchise, which is their
birthright, must also be known, and the citizen must
understand how elections are conducted to exercise their
franchise wisely.
In addition to the role citizens play in
the governing of the country, they also have civic
responsibilities. Citizens must keep their surroundings
clean, get vaccinated against diseases, and report to
the proper authorities during outbreaks or epidemics.
The preparation and sale of foodstuffs must follow
specific laws to prevent public health issues. The
knowledge of food adulteration being a serious crime is
essential to effective citizenry.
However, mere study alone cannot create
good citizens. The success of putting what one learns in
civics into practice determines how far they will go.
Tax evasion and the black market go against the canons
of civics, but many citizens still participate in these
activities. Honesty is a major casualty in elections,
even though elections are said to be sacred. No vote can
be asked for, solicited, or given, yet this happens.
In conclusion, the study of civics alone
cannot make intelligent, enlightened, and wide-awake
citizens. It is up to the individual's moral courage to
put into practice what they learn and what they know to
be correct. The study of history has not prevented war,
and the study of civics alone cannot prevent conflict.
Nonetheless, studying civics is critical to effective
citizenry in a democracy.
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