Core Ethical Values and Principles of Citizenship

Core Ethical Values and Social Principles

Definitions of Key Values

• Fairness: The value that guarantees all individuals the same access to opportunities, the right to express themselves, and the right to participate.
• Pluralism: Respecting and coexisting with other cultures.
• Justice: Giving to each person what corresponds to them or what they deserve.
• Respect: Recognizing the inherent value of human beings.
• Tolerance: Appreciating and respecting differences in people without discriminating against others for being different.
• Reciprocity: Indicates mutual actions, corresponding to others' attention in an appropriate way (e.g., good for good, appreciating favors).
• Responsibility: The duty or obligation to satisfactorily perform and complete a task.
• Dignity: The attitude and controlled behavior that commands respect from others.
• Identity: The concept you have of yourself, what you value and think, the image you project to everyone, and the way you understand the world.
• Self-Esteem: The level of love and regard that you have for yourself.

Constitutional Rights and Obligations

These articles outline fundamental rights and duties of citizens:

• Article 9: No Mexican citizen can be prevented from exercising their right to peacefully assemble and participate in political affairs.
• Article 35 (Citizens' Rights):
  • Voting in popular elections.
  • Being elected for any position in popular elections.
  • Associating individually and freely in order to take peaceful action in political activities of their country.
• Article 36 (Citizens' Obligations):
  • Voting in popular elections.
  • Carrying out the duties derived from popular elections.

Forms of Government

Common historical or political structures include:

• Dictatorship
• Monarchy
• Empire

Argumentation and Rhetoric

How to Construct a Good Argument

A strong argument should:

1. Persuade
2. Argue
3. Convince
4. Prove
5. Suggest (to the person who may or may not initially agree with you)

Key Concepts in Social Justice

• Equality: Everyone is entitled to and deserves the same dignified treatment, without distinctions of any kind.
• Equity: Treating everyone in the same way.
• Individuality: Focusing on your individual goals.

Inspirational Quotes on Character and Justice

Nelson Mandela

• "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
• "It always seems impossible until it's done."
• "Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace."

Oskar Schindler

• "If you saw a dog going to be crushed under a car, wouldn’t you help him?"
• "I was now resolved to do everything in my power to defeat the system."

Martin Luther King Jr.

• "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
• "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."
• "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Mahatma Gandhi

• "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
• "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."