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Naomi Lord, August 2024
A primary school entry for Creative Now's 'Imagine If...' exhibition, where children and young people in Bolton envision the changes they wish to see in the world.
Introduction: Understanding Key Ideas of a Free Democratic Society and How We Can Use Them
This article explains the important ideas that keep a society free and fair. It helps make sense of some of the words and ideas you might hear in the news or online, so you can reflect on what you read and inform your own participation.
Knowing about culture and media helps people tell the difference between what’s true and what’s not and helps them talk to each other in kind and respectful ways.
The article also talks about how we can use the idea of cultural democracy—working together and building communities—to create a kind and connected society where everyone feels like they belong. Creatives Now is all about working together as a community to improve our collective creative health and to promote positive social change.
Discover how some of Bolton's youngest community members envision a positive, cohesive, and sustainable society here.
Contents
What is Freedom of Speech?
Asking Questions to Understand Each Other
When is Free Speech Hate Speech in the UK?
Free Speech vs Hate Speech – How to Tell the Difference
What is a Free Press and Why Does it Matter?
What is Democratic Debate?
Why is Democratic Debate Important?
Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and Our Responsibilities
Examples of Social Media Problems – Check How You Interact
Understanding Democratic Consensus: Why It Matters and How to Use It
Building Positive Communities Where Everyone Belongs
Working Together as Cultural Democracy
How We Can Create a More Connected Society
What is Freedom of Speech?
Freedom of speech is the right to share your thoughts, ideas, and beliefs without being afraid of getting into trouble with the government. This is a big part of living in a democratic society, where people talk, debate, and share ideas to keep things fair and free.
Key points about freedom of speech:
Sharing Your Thoughts: You can talk about what you believe in, whether it's about politics, religion, or anything else.
Freedom of the Press: Journalists can report the news and share opinions without worrying about being punished.
Peaceful Protests: People can gather to protest peacefully and share their views.
Limits: Freedom of speech is important, but it’s not unlimited. There are rules against speech that encourages violence, spreads hate, or harms others.
Different Rules in Different Countries: How freedom of speech is protected can vary depending on where you live.
Asking Questions to Understand Each Other
A beginner's mind means being open and curious, like seeing something for the first time. This helps us listen to and understand others without jumping to conclusions.
Ways to use a Beginner’s Mind in Conversations:
Building Trust: Show interest in what the other person is saying by asking open-ended questions.
Understanding Better: Ask questions to make sure you understand their point of view.
Encouraging Open Talk: Create a space where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts without fear.
Working Together: By understanding each other, it’s easier to find solutions that work for everyone.
Respectful Positioning: Treat others as partners in the conversation, not opponents.
Creatives Now members creating a 'We Have More in Common Than That Which Divides Us' banner for their Jo Cox Foundation Great Get Together event.
When is Free Speech Hate Speech in the UK?
In the UK, there are laws to make sure that freedom of speech doesn’t turn into hate speech, which can harm people.
What is Hate Speech?
Inciting Hatred: Words or actions that encourage hatred against others because of their race, religion, or other personal characteristics.
Breaking Public Order: Using words or actions that are threatening, abusive, or insulting to stir up hate.
Malicious Communications: Sending messages that are meant to hurt someone’s feelings or make them upset.
Hate Crimes: Hate speech can also be part of a hate crime, where someone is targeted because of who they are.
Free Speech vs. Hate Speech – How to Tell the Difference
Protected Speech: It’s okay to criticise ideas, even if it’s unpopular, as long as it doesn’t encourage violence or hate.
Unprotected Speech: Speech that incites violence or targets people based on who they are can be considered hate speech and is against the law.
Examples:
Protected Speech: Someone criticising a political idea without encouraging harm.
Unprotected Speech: Someone encouraging violence against a group of people because of their race or religion.
What Is a Free Press and Why Does It Matter?
A free press means that the media can report the news and share opinions without being controlled by the government. This is important in a democracy because it helps people stay informed and holds those in power accountable.
Key points about a free press:
Independence: Media organisations can choose what to report without government influence.
Legal Protection: Laws protect freedom of the press, but there are also rules to make sure reporting is fair and doesn’t harm others.
Regulation: Organisations like IPSO and Ofcom make sure that the press and broadcast media follow certain standards.
Challenges: The media faces challenges like ownership concentration and the rise of online platforms, which can affect the diversity of viewpoints and the quality of information.
What is Democratic Debate?
Democratic debate is when people openly discuss and argue different ideas in a way that allows everyone to be heard. It’s a key part of democracy because it helps societies make decisions that reflect the will of the people.
Key aspects of democratic debate:
Inclusive Participation: Everyone has the right to join the discussion.
Exchange of Ideas: Different viewpoints are presented and considered.
Rational Argumentation: Decisions are made based on evidence and logic, not emotions.
Respect for Opposing Views: Everyone’s opinions are respected, even if they differ.
Transparency and Accountability: Debates are often public, so everyone can see how decisions are made.
Decision-Making: Debate helps society reach decisions that consider both the majority and minority views.
Adaptation: Societies can change and improve over time through ongoing debate.
Why is Democratic Debate Important?
Empowers Citizens: Gives people a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Legitimises Decisions: Makes decisions more acceptable because they’re made through reasoned debate.
Resolves Conflicts Peacefully: Helps settle disagreements without violence.
Promotes Tolerance: By listening to different viewpoints, people learn to understand and respect each other.
Youth governance training at Creatives Now.
Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and Our Responsibilities
Social media has changed how we communicate in democratic societies, bringing both positives and challenges.
Positives:
Wider Participation: More people can share their ideas and join discussions.
Increased Engagement: People can quickly come together around causes they care about.
Direct Communication: Public figures can talk directly to people without media filters.
Empowerment: Marginalised groups can share their stories and advocate for their rights.
Creativity: Self-publishing has led to new forms of expression, like blogs and videos.
Real-Time Information: Social media can provide instant updates on events.
Pitfalls:
Misinformation: False information can spread quickly, causing confusion and division.
Loss of Civil Debate: Anonymity can lead to rude and harmful behaviour online.
Lack of Accountability: Not everyone is held responsible for the content they share.
Polarisation: People might only see content that confirms their existing beliefs, leading to increased division.
Information Overload: There’s so much content that it’s hard to tell what’s true.
Impact on Journalism: Social media challenges traditional journalism, affecting the quality of news.
Spread of Extremism: Extremist views can be amplified and lead to harmful actions.
Examples of Social Media Problems – Check How You Interact
Anonymity and Trolling: Are you using anonymity to be unkind or hurtful?
Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories: Are you sure the information you share is accurate?
Echo Chambers and Polarisation: Are you listening to different perspectives or only what you agree with?
Viral Outrage and Public Shaming: Are you helping to spread hurtful content that harms others?
Manipulation by Malicious Actors: How can you be sure that what you see isn’t designed to divide people?
Hate Speech Targeting Vulnerable Groups: Are your interactions kind and respectful?
Understanding Democratic Consensus: Why It Matters and How to Use It
Consensus-building means working together to find solutions that everyone can agree on, which helps build social cohesion and legitimacy.
Key points about consensus:
Social Cohesion: Brings people together by encouraging dialogue and compromise.
Legitimacy: Decisions made through consensus reflect everyone’s will, making them more acceptable.
Conflict Resolution: Helps resolve conflicts by finding common ground.
Empowerment: Gives everyone a voice in decision-making.
Resilience: Makes societies stronger and more stable by ensuring broad support for decisions.
Developing safe and welcoming spaces for intergenerational collaboration together - Creatives Now's 'Town of Children' project.
Building Positive Communities Where Everyone Belongs
Positive communities of belonging are places where people feel valued and connected. They thrive on mutual support, shared values, and open communication.
Key points about positive communities:
Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome and valued.
Mutual Support: Members help and encourage each other.
Shared Purpose: The community has clear goals that everyone supports.
Open Communication: Everyone can share their thoughts and ideas without fear.
Empowerment: Members are encouraged to contribute and take part in decision-making.
Working Together as Cultural Democracy
Cultural democracy means everyone in a community works together to create the culture, rules, and practices that reflect their diverse perspectives and needs.
What working together can look like:
Collaborative Decision-Making: Everyone has a say in the community’s direction.
Shared Leadership: Leadership is flexible and shared among members.
Cultural Expression: Community events and practices are created together.
Inclusive Planning: Everyone’s input is considered in planning.
Adaptation: The community is open to change and regularly reassesses its practices.
Importance of Cultural Democracy:
Empowerment: People feel empowered to shape their community.
Representation: The community’s practices reflect everyone’s backgrounds and experiences.
Innovation: New ideas and perspectives enrich the community’s culture.
Sustainability: Communities are more resilient because members are invested in their success.
How We Can Create a More Connected Society
Working together teaches us the value of participation, shared ownership, and collaboration. By embracing these ideas, society can build trust, transparency, and social cohesion, creating a more connected and just world.
Town of Children - end of project celebration.
References
Robinson, K., & Robinson, K. (2022). Imagine If..: Creating a Future for Us All. Penguin.
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