Chapter one Understanding civics and Ethics

1. What is Civics
 Civics is a term derived from Latin word 'civitas' that means 'body politic' or
in modern terms, political Community.
 Political community is understood as a social group characterized by
recognition of shared interest, some mean for controlling a disruptive
violence, and institution for making and implementing joint decisions.
 The term also refers to citizens. As a result we can consider civic education as
citizenship education.
 In general, Civic Education is the study of:-
a. the rights, duties and responsibilities of citizens;
b. The concept, principles, culture and importance of democracy;
c. The concepts and values of rule of law, equality, justice, patriotism,
responsibility, etc;
d. Contemporary global issues, challenges and problems;
e. State structure and government systems;
f. International relations and organizations;

2. What Ethics is?

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that attempts to understand people’s moral beliefs
and actions (these modules use the terms, ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’; ‘ethical’ and
‘moral’ interchangeably, although traditionally ‘ethics’ described the process of
thinking about people’s morality). Ethics, or moral philosophy, considers theories
about what human beings are capable of doing, alongside accounts of what they ought
to do if they are to live an ethically good life. Ethics also explores the meaning and
the ranking of different ethical values, such as honesty, autonomy, equality and
justice, and it considers ethical quandaries that human beings face in the course of
living their own independent but, also, socially interdependent lives.
Ethics or moral philosophy: considers theories about what human beings are capable
of doing, alongside accounts of what they ought to do if they are to live an ethically
good life. Ethics may share common ground with the law, religious belief, popular
opinion, professional codes and the dictates of authority figures, but it is also broader
 than all of these and offers a set of tools and values against which their
appropriateness can be evaluated.
Invariably all ethical questions involve a decision about what one should do in a
specific instance. Notice the word should. Ethical questions are not concerned with
what one would do (an essentially psychological concern) but what one ought to do.
Judgments about such decisions are generally expressed with words like right and
wrong, should and ought, or obligation and duty.

Occasionally the term ethics is used interchangeably with morals. Business or medical ethics, for
example, is generally synonymous with morals. Although this is acceptable, a precise usage
would apply the term’s morals and moral to the conduct itself, while the terms ethics and ethical
would refer to the study of moral conduct or to the code that one follows. Thus, the specific act
of telling the caller you were home could be described as moral or immoral. But what makes any
act moral or immoral, right or wrong fall within the province of ethics.

When we speak of moral problems then, we generally refer to specific problems, such as “Is
lying ever right?” or “Is stealing always wrong?” in contrast, we can look at ethical problems as
being more general and theoretical. Thus, “what makes any act, such as lying or stealing, right or
wrong?” and “what makes any entity good?” are ethical problems. In short, morality refers to the
degree to which an action conforms to a standard or norm of human conduct. Ethics refers to the
philosophical study of values and of what constitute good and bad human conduct.

In dealing with human conduct from the perspective of obligation and value, ethics investigates a
variety of related concerns. Among them are whether a standard of morality exists that applies to
all people at all times everywhere, the precise nature of moral responsibility, the conditions
under which one is morally accountable or responsible, and the proper end of law. When
ethicists use word like “good” or “right” to describe a person or action they generally means that
the person or action conforms to some standard. A good person or action has certain desirable
qualities.

Ethicists often disagree about the nature of those standards and desirable qualities and follow
different paths in establishing standards and discovering which qualities are desirable. For
purposes of understanding, though, we can view ethics as divided into two fields; normative
ethics and non-normative ethics.

Generally, Ethics is:

1. The critical examination and evaluation of what is good, evil, right and wrong in human
conduct (Guy, 2001).
2. A specific set of principles, values and guidelines for a particular group or organization (Guy,
2001).
 Ethics is the study of goodness, right action and moral responsibility, it asks what
choices and ends we ought to pursue and what moral principles should govern our
pursuits and choices (Madden, 2000).
Morality

Morality is a complex concept. Though it is one of most frequently used terms, it can mean
different things to different people. Morality is a commonly used word in most cultures. Some
Scholars argued that if we do not know what morality is we cannot teach it. In crucial ways we
do not know what morality is. Yet we must teach it because it is of prime importance and must
be learned. Moreover, teaching must not be brainwashing; it must be moral. So, in order to
understand Moral and Civics Education, the term “moral” needs to be understood

Morality can be viewed from different perspectives and let us start with the simple definition of
the word itself. Morality from a dictionary definition (from Latin moralitas “manner, character,
proper behavior”) refers to the concept of human action which pertains to matters of right and
wrong – also referred to as “good and evil”. It can be used to mean the generally accepted code
of conduct in a society, or within a subgroup of society. It relates to values expressed as: a matter
of individual choice, those values to which we ought to aspire and those values shared within a
culture, religious, secular, or philosophical community. This definition is clear when morality is
spelt out and agreed upon by others. However, it becomes ambiguous when defined by different
ethnic groups, especially in the multicultural society, like Ethiopians.

Morality has been a topic of discussion for a very long time. According to Socrates “We are
discussing no small matter, but how we ought to live” when issues of morality are discussed.

Socrates is rightly asserted that morality is not a small matter. In fact, moral philosophy is the
attempt to achieve a systematic understanding of the nature of morality and what it requires of
us. In Socrates’ words it’s “how we ought to live”. Living in a multicultural Ethiopia, how we
ought to live can be very complicated because of the diversity of culture that is vast and unique.

Morality is, at the very least, the effort to guide one’s conduct by reason that is, to do what there
are the best reasons for doing while giving equal weight to the interest of each individual who
will be affected by one’s conduct. It is important that in countries like Ethiopia, morality is
shared as a common goal to ensure harmony and integrity.

Terms such as morality and ethics are often used interchangeably in everyday speech as referring
to justified or proper conduct. But ethics is usually associated with a certain conduct within a
profession, for example, the code of ethics for the teaching profession. Morality is a more
general term referring to the character of individuals and community. In other words, Morality is
used to refer to what we would call moral conduct while ethics is used to refer to the formal
study of moral conduct. It can be claimed that morality is related to praxis, but ethics is related to
theory.

Morality, whatever else may be said about it, is about things over which we have control that

Morality is:

1. Morality is the informal system of rational beings by which they govern their behavior in order
to lesson harm or evil and do good, this system, although informal, enjoys amazing agreement
across time and cultures concerning moral rules, moral ideas and moral virtues (Madden, 2000

2. Those principles and values that actually guide, for better or worse, an individual’s personal
conduct (Guy, 2001)

lead to “bettering human life”. It is different in every society, and is a convenient term for
socially approved habits.
ETHICS MORALITY
Is philosophical study of the code, standards or refers to the code of conduct one follows while
norm of human conduct and it is more ethics is the study of moral conduct or  the
theoretical and general one. study of the code that one follows
Ethics establish the standards, norms, or codes is the conformity of human behavior to the
to be followed by human beings are the study established code of conduct .If an action
of morality, moral principles, and moral conform to the established code, it is called
decision making. moral ,if not immoral
Is the development of reasonable standards and refers to the effort to guide one’s conduct by
procedures for ethical decision-making? reason while giving equal weight to the
interests of each individual who will be
affected by one’s conduct
Is a set of normative rules of conduct, a Has to do with what one should do, all
code, a standards that govern what one things considered, not what, in fact, any
ought to do when the well-being, or of us will so in a particular instance
duties to oneself, others or institutions
is at stake.

1.2. THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENTOF CIVIC AND ETHICAL EDUCATION

 Similar with the development of democracy

  Originated in Athens Greece
 facilitate the development of responsible citizens

Ancient Rome

 There had also been a sort of citizenship education.

 Adopted in many areas of the world as Roman Empire expanded.

In Medieval Europe

 Citizenship education was tied closely to church and religious education

During Renaissance

 The church lost dominance over the state

 Education become secular

Revolutions

 England Revolution – 1688

 American Revolution – 1776
 France Revolution – 1778
Emerge with modern democratic concept and advanced civic education in Europe

THE HISTORY OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN ETHIOPIA

 The history of Civic Education in Ethiopia dates back to the time of Emperor Haile
Selassie I. By then, the Citizenship Education called Moral Education (Yegbre geb
timihirt). The Derg regime had its own Citizenship Education called Political Science. In
the current education policy, we are having the Citizenship Education known as Civic
and Ethical Education.

 The contents, forms and methods of the three differ to one another due to the differences
in the political philosophy of the different regimes.

A. The Moral Education of the Imperial Era Was the first form of civic education in Ethiopia?

The Moral education was aimed at spreading the idea of the perpetual rule of
feudal lords with a God-chosen emperor at the top. It took the lead in inculcating
the values and tints of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the system of absolute
monarchy (rule by one). In order to peruse this objective, Orthodox Christian
moral teachings were given in almost all schools of the country by priests.
 In the 1970s, civic education was offered as a component part of the history
subject at grade eight under the chapter title of 'civics'. The basic purpose of civics
was to introduce students to the Imperial rule of constitutional monarchy. Thus,
the contents of the chapter on civics were built around Ethiopian crown, the
United Nations, League of Nations and off citizen's entitlements.

B. The Political Education of the Derg Regime

After the collapse of the Imperial regime, the Military government (known briefly
as the Derg) sought to construct the country and reorganize the society along the
line of the then Soviet Union's version of socialist ideology.

The Derg adopted a form of citizenship program entitled “Political Education".

The fundamental objective of this political education was to create class-

conscious hardworking body of citizens with national, international and scientific
outlook.

The government introduced this program at various levels of the Ethiopian school
system starting from grade four. In general, political education was highly skewed
to inculcating the socialist ideology in the minds of the students.

C. The Civic and Ethical Education of the Current Era

Is different from the previous citizenship educations in that it is not meant to be

used as an instrument to religious or political indoctrination.

 The current civic education aims at:

 helping students to become competent Ethiopia citizens
 developing a democratic national feeling and a strong sense of patriotism
 promoting democratic values and the culture of and respect for human
rights
 understanding, applying and upholding the constitution and
 helping students to know the values and norms of Ethiopians

1.3 The purpose of civics and ethical education

The main purpose to be achieved of Civic Education is to create GOOD CITIZENS.

A good citizen is the one who is:

Informed:- well aware of what is happening where, why and when.
Knowing what is going on inside and outside the state to be able to
make informed choices and decisions.

Competent:- having required skills and abilities to perform activities very

well.

Participant: - involving in the state’s overall affairs and carrying out one’s
responsibility by participating in the social, economic, political, cultural, etc
affairs of the state.

Tolerant: - accepting the differing views of others, e.g. in religious or political

matters, and treating the people who hold these different views fairly. Being able
to contain differences or diversities.

Patriotic:- being proud of one’s country and showing respect, love, devotion,
commitment and passion to the state and expressing all these in terms of practical
actions to promote the state’s peace, development and democracy.

Responsible:- being accountable/answerable for what he/she does. Doing

things properly knowing that they will be questioned for what they do.

Transparent:- being open; readiness to share information.

Open-minded:- being free from prejudice and receptive to new ideas.

Avoiding narrow-mindedness.

Committed: - having devotion to the state, ones profession, responsibility, etc.

Civic-minded:- being actively interested in community needs: taking an active

interest in the community needs and affairs of the society.

Lawful: - showing due respect to the laws of the state and promoting the rule of
law.

Virtuous: - having moral goodness or rightness. Acting in a way that the

society desires individuals to act or behave.

Mutually respectful: - having the trait of mutual respect. Paying respect to

each other.
1.4 Citizens rights and responsibilities

Rights of Citizens

In the legal relationship between you and your state, you have the following rights to enjoy:

1. Protection - you, as a citizen, have the right to claim protection from your state
whenever your life or your property is at danger. In other words, if any wrong is done to
you or your property by any other government or criminal groups, your states protect you
and your property.
2. Social service - As a citizen you have the right to obtain social services such as health
service, education, transportation, electricity, water, housing and other necessities from
your state. The basis of social services is the notion that says: the government has a
responsibility for alleviating the problems of poverty, unemployment and dependence.
The benefits of social services in the contemporary world have become citizenship rights
and their fulfillment as a duty of states. For instance, Article 25 of the UDHR provides
that “Every one has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being of
himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary
social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his
control.”

The right to social services has also been accorded constitutional status in many
countries, including Ethiopia. The FDRE constitution guarantees the right to social
services as follows:

 Article 41(3). Every Ethiopian national has the right to equal access to publicly
funded social services;
 Article 41(4). The state has the obligation to allocate ever increasing resources to
provide to the public health, education and other social services;
  Article 41(5) -The state shall, within available means, allocate resources to
provide rehabilitation and assistance to the physically and mentally disabled, the
aged, and to children who are left with out parents.

3. The right to work - you have the right to work in your country. Your state facilitates
the working environment for you and other citizens
4. The right to vote and to be elected- You have the right to hold government offices
directly or through your representatives. In fact, there are certain limitations to this right
such as mental defects, age and criminal records.
These are just few rights among many. Citizens have many other rights in relation to
their state. The basic thing is that you have to enjoy your citizenship rights. On the other
hand, you are expected to fulfill your citizenship responsibilities.

Responsibilities of Citizens

Citizens have multifaceted responsibilities to their country. The government itself is built up on
the activities of its citizens. Citizens have the responsibility for creating good governance. The
responsible citizen who he:

 Reads about civil matters in news papers, magazines, and books; and listens to
political news on television and radio.

 Is well informed on local, state and national issues. If he is well informed, he can
make an active and intelligent public opinion. A citizen should not be silent
follower. He has to give his opinions to his government and his society. This is a
citizen’s responsibility. In order to give intelligent and matured opinion, he has to
be well informed; he has to have enough information on his government and
society - Information can be obtained from reading news papers, magazines, and
books. It can also be procured form listening to news on television and radio.
 Takes an active part in politics, attends local political meetings and participates in
the discussions of issues. Active participation in his country’s affairs is the basic
responsibility of a citizen. A citizen has big responsibility for rectifying any
wrongs done by his government, or any maladministration, or any UN Just
intentions of his government. This can be affected when that citizen takes an
active part in politics in particular and in his country’s affairs in general.
 Tolerant- This means that a responsible citizen must recognize the fact that people
hold different religious and other beliefs - Then it is his responsibility to respect
people right to their beliefs. As his responsibility, a citizen should respect the
customs, ideas, ways of life and beliefs of other fellow citizens. A citizen who
does not respect the ideas, customs, ways of life, and beliefs of others is
irresponsible and chauvinist man. Irresponsibility and chauvinism leads to
misunderstanding, and then to conflict and war. Thus, a responsible citizen
recognizes the existence of different beliefs and ways of life in his society and
respects them; and finally lives together through the principle of tolerance.
Tolerance promotes mutual understanding and Co-operation, and then leads to
growth and prosperity. In our country Ethiopia, where religious and cultural
diversity is clearly observable, tolerance is very essential to live and work
together in peace. So, please be tolerant, and know that it is your citizenship
responsibility.

 Preserves and helps develop basic social institutions. In a country there are basic
social institutions such as family, economic, and political institutions. It is the
responsibility of a citizen to preserve and help (to) develop these social
institutions. These social institutions have important functions to society, of
which that citizen is a part. Thus, a citizen has great responsibilities for
preserving and developing these basic social institutions.

 Supports his family, his religion, his community, and his nation. The citizen has
responsibility for supporting his family, his religion, his community, and his
 nation. When he observes weaknesses in this institution, he should not withdraw
his support from them. Instead, he should actively try to improve them.

 Participates in national defense. Defending his country is the responsibility of a

citizen. When their country is in a problem in relation to other country (ies),
citizens of that country have great responsibility for defending the country.

 Prepares himself for duty in crisis. A responsible citizen always makes himself
ready to bear responsibilities/duties in case of any crisis in is country. This can be
done by enrolling in reserve units of the armed forces, or by developing skills,
which may be useful in vital industries or in civil defense. In time of war there
are many responsibilities of citizens. For instance, a citizen has responsibility for
conserving vital war materials, for donating blood if possible, and for Co-
operating with civil defense organizations. If a citizen is in a position to know
military secrets, he has responsibility for keeping his knowledge from enemy
agents.

 Respects laws and rules of his country without any pressure. It is the
responsibility of citizens to respect laws and rules operating in their country.

 Open-minded- A responsible citizens is receptive to different ideas and

arguments. He is open to discuss his country’s affairs with his fellow citizens. It
is also the responsibility of a citizen to reject unsupported generalization and
dogmatism.

 Preserves national historical heritages. A responsible citizen preserves national

historical heritages of his country. He has the responsibility for protecting these
heritages.

 Free from addiction of any kind. A responsible citizen is free from alcoholic and
drug addictions. He has to keep his physical and mental health. Without physical
 and mental health, it is hardly possible to bear responsibilities. Since alcoholic
and drug addiction harms person’s physical and mental health, a responsible
citizen refrains from taking these armful things. He considers himself useful to
his society and his country.

Therefore, a responsible citizen is the one who fulfills the aforementioned qualities; the
one who exercises these qualities. There may also be other responsibilities which a
citizen is expected to shoulder. Hence, as a citizen, you are responsible for many things
in your country. Irresponsible citizens may lose their citizenship rights. If they lose their
citizenship rights, they may get into danger. So, irresponsibility is crime. If it is crime, it
may result in statelessness, which brings displacement and suffering to individuals.