Majority Rule; Minority Rights
Unit of 3 Lessons
Grade Levels:
9
10
11
12
Subjects:
Language Arts
Media / Technology
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords:
Issue Area:
Fairness
Focus Question
What is a world citizen's responsibility to promote and advocate for justice and kindness?
Photo Credit: Vote! By Ryan Ozawa is licensed under CC by 2.0
Unit Overview
In a civil society, it is everyone's responsibility to protect the rights of the minority, and this protection is often championed through political action by the nonprofit sector. It is in the enlightened self-interest of the majority to protect the rights of the minority because one day the majority will find itself in the minority.
Service Experience
Prepare students to eventually participate (voluntarily) in an independent sector organization that works to protect the rights of the minority.
Lessons in This Unit
Create a scenario that frames a problem and have students think about the role of the four sectors (private, public, independent, and family) to address problems.
For the American system of government to work, the majority has the power to rule and the responsibility not to trample the rights of the minority. The minority must have the right to become the majority and have its voice heard. People often blame the government without thinking that other sectors of the economy can and do play a role.
Practice making a decision using principles of majority rule and minority rights.