{II}.Citizenship
Responsibilities
To many people, duty and
responsibility are two words which are used interchangeably most of the time.
Duty simply means a legal or moral obligation of a person to perform certain
legal tasks. On the other hand, responsibility is the situation of having a
duty and be blamed if one does wrong. Therefore, all citizens have duties and
responsibilities to perform in their country
The
Responsibilities of a Citizen
Explain
the responsibilities of a citizen
These responsibilities are also
called civic responsibilities. They can be put into four categories — personal,
political, social and economic.
Personal Responsibility- A person can be considered a good citizen if one: behaves
in a respectful manner; takes care of oneself; makes worth-fully decisions;
considers the rights, freedom and interests of others and supports the family.
Political responsibilities- A good citizen should participate fully in the political
affairs of his/her nation like being well informed on local, national and
international issues. Also should watch and give opinions on the process of
government and its activities. The one who is registered, contests for
leadership and vote in every local or national election; participating in
political meetings like public rallies and local meetings to discuss local
issues and being ready to defend one’s nation, even to the extent of shedding
blood.
Social responsibilities-These rights are not limited to the following: respect for
other people’s rights, good conduct on crimes prevention and reporting. Respect
the laws of the country, be honest, civility and allegiance to the lawful
authority, protect the environment, safeguard public property, promote
education, health services and help disabled people.
Economic responsibilities-These responsibilities include: payment of taxes and duties;
doing lawful productive work; provide to dependents basic material and social
services and be active participant in community development activities
Civic
Responsibilities
Practice
civic responsibilities
Importance
of individuals fulfilling their civic responsibilities
There is a great need for
individuals to fulfill their civic responsibilities because individuals have a
duty to ask for the provision of quality education, good roads, electricity, or
water if they have already paid their taxes. This is because duties and rights
go together.
When a person fulfills ones civic
responsibilities, he/she becomes a respected person in the family, society,
nation, and even at the international level. This may make people be fully
involved in social, political and economic activities for the development of a
nation. For example, the late Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere was highly respected
everywhere because he fulfilled his responsibilities as a citizen of Tanzania.
Crimes and wrong doing will also be
reduced to a great extent if everyone fulfill his/her own civic
responsibilities. Finally, peace and security may prevail in the country.
Dangers
of not fulfilling one’s civic responsibilities
There is a great danger if citizens
do not fulfill their responsibility because a person cannot claim for ones
rights if at all one does not fulfill civic responsibilities, like paying tax
and duties. Sometimes in responsible citizens can be sued in a court of law.
For example, tax evaders, and lack of respect for the family and the nation may
prevail.
Furthermore, families of people who
do not fulfill their responsibilities lead a miserable life of poverty, and
witness an increase in social evil and ethnics, e.g. killing, stealing and
banditry. Finally, fulfillment of one’s civic responsibility contributes to the
underdevelopment of the nation.
Exercise 1
A: Match the wards in column A with
the correct statement in column B
|
Column A
|
Column B
|
|
1.
Duty
2.
Civic responsibilities
3.
Personal
responsibilities
4.
Economic
responsibilities
5.
Social
responsibilities
|
a.
pay
taxes and duties
b.
steal
ones property
c.
accept
responsibilities
d.
appointed
leadership
e.
help
disabled people
f.
having a
duty and be blamed for
g.
legal or
moral obligation for doing task
|
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