Teaching Democracy to Karen Buerkle WAPOR 2008 RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute 1
Research Question Big Research Question: Can social change be speeded up? Tradition of democratic theory that stresses the social preconditions / prerequisite for democracies that develop over decades if not generations. Waves of democracy challenge this assertion. Development organizations hope to bypass or jump start social change by engendering liberal norms through programs like schoolbased civic education programs. 2
Research Question Smaller Research Questions: How easily are attitudes changed? Can classroom instruction in civic education produce democratic attitudes? 3
Quick History of Kyrgyzstan 4
Quick History of Kyrgyzstan Offically became part of the Russian Empire in late 1800s. Soviet takeover in 1918. Great transformations in the Kyrgyz economy and society--traditional nomadic culture gives way to industrialization, modernization and a standardized soviet educational and political system. Kyrgyzstan declares independence from the USSR on August 31, 1991. 5
Civic Education in Kyrgyzstan October 2001, Minister of Education and Culture agrees to adopt civic education into Kyrgyzstani school curriculum. Pilot program of 250 schools Mandated part of curriculum for all high schools (10 th grade) for the 2005-2006 school year. 6
Methodology Data are from a country-wide sample of students who attended civic education courses in this academic year. Student Sample 2000 high schools in Kyrgyzstan 150 schools chosen proportionally within each category 1 civics classroom within each school 5 students from each classroom (750 students total) In-person interviews in respondents homes November December 2006. 7
Methodology sample of young adults drawn from the school feeder area. 4 young adults (20 24 years old) from each of the 150 school areas (600 young adults). Graduated before offering of any formal civic education courses in schools. In-person interviews in respondents homes November December 2006. 8
Explanation of Graphics 57 27 9 7 43 33 14 8 Dark blue = most good Dark grey = least good 9
Political Knowledge There is only one house of parliament. 27 64 21 65 The president can decide to amend the Constitution as he sees fit. 53 42 50 40 Four branches of government the executive, legislature, judiciary and the police. 28 65 26 61 If enough citizens get together and sign a petition, they can submit a draft law to the parliament. 68 20 58 26 10
Political Knowledge In Kyrgyzstan, judges are appointed directly by the president. 43 47 39 45 If you are accused of a crime, you must prove to the judge you are innocent. 10 87 13 81 Whose responsibility is it to determine whether a law is constitutional or not the President, parliament, or the courts. 22 78 18 82 a 11
Attitudes Towards Women 20 14 28 37 71 20 6 3 13 13 30 44 58 27 10 5 Men make better political leaders than women. Gov should give men and women equal rights. 29 22 28 19 66 14 19 23 25 27 23 60 18 22 Women should work in admin jobs perform poorly in senior management jobs. Good/Doesn t matter/bad for society that women work. 12
Political Power/Powerlessness 57 27 9 7 43 33 14 8 Voting gives ordinary people chance to influence decision making. 10 13 27 47 5 13 33 48 May be able to select leaders in elections, but in between elections no way to have voice heard. 13
Support for Strong Leader 21 21 31 23 27 22 27 19 26 23 31 17 26 18 29 22 Participation of people not needed if decision making in the hands of a few trust and competent leaders. Worthwhile to support leader who could solve main problems even if overthrew democracy. 52 4 44 42 3 53 Place best politicians at the top and give them complete power OR Prefer many people determine something even it takes longer to make decisions but less potential for abuse of power. 14
Tolerance for Dissenting Opinions 35 30 14 18 71 19 6 3 28 37 16 17 68 22 6 3 Should be able to hold peaceful mass protest for some unpopular cause even if majority against it. No matter what a person s political beliefs, should have same legal rights and protections. 81 2 16 81 4 14 Everyone has right to express opinion even if differs from majority OR Society shouldn t have to tolerate political views that are fundamentally different from majority 15
Overview of Results Mean Index Score Index Name Young Adult Political Knowledge 2.88 2.71 (out of 7) Women in Society 10.88 10.23 (out of 15) Political Power (elections) 5.23 4.89 (out of 8) Strong Leader 7.09 6.98 (out of 11) Excess of Freedom 7.68 7.56 (out of 15) Tolerance for Dissenting Opinions 7.79 7.68 (out of 11) 16
Teaching Democracy to Karen Buerkle WAPOR 2008 RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute 1
Research Question Big Research Question: Can social change be speeded up? Tradition of democratic theory that stresses the social preconditions / prerequisite for democracies that develop over decades if not generations. Waves of democracy challenge this assertion. Development organizations hope to bypass or jump start social change by engendering liberal norms through programs like schoolbased civic education programs. 2
Research Question Smaller Research Questions: How easily are attitudes changed? Can classroom instruction in civic education produce democratic attitudes? 3
Quick History of Kyrgyzstan 4
Quick History of Kyrgyzstan Offically became part of the Russian Empire in late 1800s. Soviet takeover in 1918. Great transformations in the Kyrgyz economy and society--traditional nomadic culture gives way to industrialization, modernization and a standardized soviet educational and political system. Kyrgyzstan declares independence from the USSR on August 31, 1991. 5
Civic Education in Kyrgyzstan October 2001, Minister of Education and Culture agrees to adopt civic education into Kyrgyzstani school curriculum. Pilot program of 250 schools Mandated part of curriculum for all high schools (10 th grade) for the 2005-2006 school year. 6
Methodology Data are from a country-wide sample of students who attended civic education courses in this academic year. Student Sample 2000 high schools in Kyrgyzstan 150 schools chosen proportionally within each category 1 civics classroom within each school 5 students from each classroom (750 students total) In-person interviews in respondents homes November December 2006. 7
Methodology sample of young adults drawn from the school feeder area. 4 young adults (20 24 years old) from each of the 150 school areas (600 young adults). Graduated before offering of any formal civic education courses in schools. In-person interviews in respondents homes November December 2006. 8
Explanation of Graphics 57 27 9 7 43 33 14 8 Dark blue = most democratic Dark grey = least democratic 9
Political Knowledge There is only one house of parliament. 27 64 21 65 The president can decide to amend the Constitution as he sees fit. 53 42 50 40 Four branches of government the executive, legislature, judiciary and the police. 28 65 26 61 If enough citizens get together and sign a petition, they can submit a draft law to the parliament. 68 20 58 26 10
Political Knowledge In Kyrgyzstan, judges are appointed directly by the president. 43 47 39 45 If you are accused of a crime, you must prove to the judge you are innocent. 10 87 13 81 Whose responsibility is it to determine whether a law is constitutional or not the President, parliament, or the courts. 22 78 18 82 a 11
Attitudes Towards Women 20 14 28 37 71 20 6 3 13 13 30 44 58 27 10 5 Men make better political leaders than women. Gov should give men and women equal rights. 29 22 28 19 66 14 19 23 25 27 23 60 18 22 Women should work in admin jobs perform poorly in senior management jobs. Good/Doesn t matter/bad for society that women work. 12
Political Power/Powerlessness 57 27 9 7 43 33 14 8 Voting gives ordinary people chance to influence decision making. 10 13 27 47 5 13 33 48 May be able to select leaders in elections, but in between elections no way to have voice heard. 13
Support for Strong Leader 21 21 31 23 27 22 27 19 26 23 31 17 26 18 29 22 Participation of people not needed if decision making in the hands of a few trust and competent leaders. Worthwhile to support leader who could solve main problems even if overthrew democracy. 52 4 44 42 3 53 Place best politicians at the top and give them complete power OR Prefer many people determine something even it takes longer to make decisions but less potential for abuse of power. 14
Tolerance for Dissenting Opinions 35 30 14 18 71 19 6 3 28 37 16 17 68 22 6 3 Should be able to hold peaceful mass protest for some unpopular cause even if majority against it. No matter what a person s political beliefs, should have same legal rights and protections. 81 2 16 81 4 14 Everyone has right to express opinion even if differs from majority OR Society shouldn t have to tolerate political views that are fundamentally different from majority 15
Overview of Results Mean Index Score Index Name Young Adult Political Knowledge 2.88 2.71 (out of 7) Women in Society 10.88 10.23 (out of 15) Political Power (elections) 5.23 4.89 (out of 8) Strong Leader 7.09 6.98 (out of 11) Excess of Freedom 7.68 7.56 (out of 15) Tolerance for Dissenting Opinions 7.79 7.68 (out of 11) 16