This document discusses democracy and meritocracy in the context of student councils in Europe. It provides definitions of democracy as a form of government where citizens exercise power directly or through elected representatives, and meritocracy as a system that assigns roles based on merit rather than other factors. The document notes that the Italian constitution incorporates aspects of both democracy and meritocracy. It also examines the pros and cons of representative democracy and meritocracy. There is a discussion of whether e-democracy could be the future of democracy and how concepts of democracy and meritocracy apply to student councils in schools.

1. Student Councils across Europe
COMENIUSCOMENIUS PROJECT 2012-2014PROJECT 2012-2014
2nd meeting 17th-21st March Cassino ItalyITIS ‘’E.Majorana’’Cassino
Democracy vs Meritocracy

2. what is Democracy?
Democracy is a
government in which
power and civic
responsibility are
exercised by all
citizens, directly or
through their freely
elected
representatives.

3. what is Meritocracy?
Meritocracy is a form of
government where any
role that requires
responsibility towards
others, are assigned
according to merit, and
not to nepotism or
membership to lobbies
and wealthy social classes.

4. Our Constitution
The Italian Constitution
takes into consideration
both principles in the
following articles:
Article 1
Article 34
Article 49

5. Article 1
Italy is a Democratic
Republic founded on
labour. Sovereignty
belongs to the people and
is exercised by the people
in the forms and within
the limits of the
Constitution.

6. what kind of government … in Italy?
a Representative Democracy, where:
 Citizens elect representatives to
make laws on their behalf.
 The electorate can get rid of
unsatisfactory rulers and replace
them with others at the end of their
term of office.

7. Article 34
Schools are open to everyone.
Primary education, which is
imparted for at least eight years,
is compulsory and free.
Capable and deserving pupils,
including those without adequate
finances, have the right to
attain the highest levels of
education.
The Republic renders this right
effective through scholarships,
allowances to families and other
benefits, which shall be assigned
through competitive
examinations.

8. Article 49
All citizens have the
right to freely associate
in parties to contribute
to determining national
policies through
democratic processes.

9. Representative Democracy
really serve society?
Pros cons
 Elected officials may
be in a better position
compared to direct
democracies to
protect the rights of
minorities and
individuals.
 In a representative
democracy all the
citizens are
sufficiently
represented, so the
sense of democracy is
fulfilled.
 Representative
governments don't allow
citizens to participate as
fully as in direct
democracies.
 They may break campaign
promises or make decisions
that differ from the wishes
of their voters.
 There are huge risks of
inefficiency and corruption.
 A weak representation of
the minorities is another
great risk.

10. What are the pros and cons of
meritocracy?
Pros cons
 With the best being the
leaders, development and
organisation would also reach
a high level.
 The intelligence level of
society as a whole will
increase.
 When people are rewarded
according to their abilities and
hard work, they will be
encouraged to do well, so as
to ensure that only the best
ones can lead the country in
order to be an efficient one.
 It creates homogeneity.
 Highly intelligent
people start thinking in
the same way.
 It creates inequality
and elitism.
 It damages people
who have more limited
skills.

11. e-democracy:
a new form of democracy that uses information technologies and communication
technologies and strategies in political and governance processes.
is this the future of democracy?
Cons
 Only for web- people.
 You need to pay for
the service.
Pros
 Innovative.
 Young people are
nearer to politics.
 Support the
democratic decision-making
processes.

12. what about Democracy and
Meritocracy in our school?
Representatives are most commonly chosen through
elections where a winning candidate has to get more votes
than any other candidate.
In most cases the
elected representative is not
the best one.

13. Risi Milena
Thanks!
The pictures by the artist Pablo Echaurren about the Italian Constitution
with Italy tricolour flag, the "Tricolore“, are on show at the Quirinal
Palace (the current official residence of the President of the Italian
Republic ) in Rome.