What is Civics

One of the prominent branches of the Social Sciences, the

academic discipline of Civics involves the study of the
obligations and rights of the various citizens in society.
The word ‘Civics’ which is a derivative of its Latin origin,
‘civicus’, meaning ‘relating to citizens’, analyzes the human
behaviour that causes an impact on other citizens,
particularly, in the backdrop of urbanization.
Under the broad support of Civics, the political, theoretical as
well as practical aspects of citizenship are studied. The study
also includes the duties, civil law, civil codes and rights that
citizens ought to concern themselves with.
Civics is also concerned with the study of the government
with a focus on the role played by citizens.
• Civic Education
• Education in the subject matter of Civics teaches
students the virtues through which they are able
to deliberate (talk seriously) on democracy and to
become responsible citizens in the future.
• Students educated in the discipline of Civics are
taught about the three essential freedoms - those
of choice, action and bearing the results of the
action.
• This discipline fulfils the fundamental institutional
and social changes that are necessary in order to
form a democracy involving active participation in
decision making as a group, negotiating abilities
and consequently social life.
• Digital Civics
• In the present digital age, the challenges met with by
the individual and society has led to the development
of digital civics.
• With the advancement of science and technology,
human beings have altered the identification of their
place in the world which in turn has put a different spin
on the context of their existence and their interaction
with one another.
• Digital civics offers a robust foundation to respond to
these challenges with the development of digital
citizenship and its engagement. The wide range of
responsible and ethical civic behaviours, democratic
engagement or citizenship under the digital realm is
included under digital civics.
• Global Civics
• The attempt to understand civics in a global sense
in the present day scenario of interaction and
interdependence is attempted by global civics.
• In this field of study, attempts are made to
understand civics as a social contract among all
the citizens of the world.
• The development of a sense of global
responsibility by means of shared consciousness
and framing of mindsets on a global scale to tackle
various issues of the world is what is sought by
global civics.
•
 Importance of civics education
• A truly democratic society relies on its citizens to be informed and
ready to act. What good is a government of the people, for the
people, and by the people if the people themselves have no idea
of what their role as citizens entails or to what civic rights as
citizens they are entitled?
• Preparing people to become knowledgeable and proactive
members of a democratic society requires that they receive
proper instruction in civics. Civics education should be included as
part of any school’s curriculum for these four important reasons.
• Fundamentals of Government
• A proper civics education teaches young people about the very
basics of how their government works. They learn about the
executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government and
why these three branches must work together to pass and enforce
laws. They also learn about the duties of each individual branch
and how all three make up a carefully constructed checks and
balances system.
• Ownership as Citizens
• Civics education also teaches students that when
they become adults they can rightfully lay claim to
the government as lawful citizens.
• They learn that it is the voice of the citizenry, not
that of obscure elected politicians, that ultimately
matters when it comes to shaping the government.
Politicians ideally should represent the people. The
people in turn have the power to vote politicians in
and out of office if the changes they want do not
come to fruition.
• Proactive and Knowledgeable Voting
• Students who receive a comprehensive civics education in school
learn that voting is an important duty of every citizen. Every vote
counts in each election, and it is through voting that people can
make sure that their voices are heard. Civics education also gives
students the knowledge they need to make informed decisions as
they listen to politicians’ campaign speeches or read news stories
about people running for office. They can reference their civics
lessons to separate fact from fiction, allowing them to become
educated and proactive voters.
• Limitations of Government
• Students who fail to receive a proper civics education may grow
up thinking that they are victims who are subservient to the whims
of an uncontrollable central government. Civics education is key in
teaching people that the government has limitations and that
every citizen has Constitutional rights that cannot be taken away
or violated. They learn about the Bill of Rights and what these first
10 amendments guarantee them as Americans. They also learn
about the remaining 17 amendments and why the Constitutional
puts limitations on the government and gives power to the people.
• A democratic society relies on its people to
fulfill their duties as citizens. When they are
given a proper civics education, people know
what is expected of them and to what
limitations the government is bound.
• As the debate continues about whether or not
civics should be taught in school, it is
important to consider some of the key
reasons why this subject benefits students
who are about to become participating
members of society.