Volume 4 Issue 3 (October 2012) - Ozean Publications

European Journal of Educational Studies 4(3), 2012
these groups were evaluated with content analysis. These statements were categorized under 13 sub-dimensions.
The data obtained from the students were interpreted by directly referring to students‟ opinions on each theme.
Table 2: We should teach democracy to politicians ruling the country
THEME SUB-DIMENSIONS f
POLITICIANS AND
GOVERNORS
Decision making
Tolerance and
Communication
Democratic Rule
Justice
Preventing errors
Equality
Being a model
Swearing
Impolite behaviors
Confidence
Violence
Rules
18
8
7
5
6
5
3
3
2
2
When the data obtained from the participant students were examined, it was determined that students showed the
highest level of consensus by stating that the group which most needs to be taught democracy is the politicians
who rule the country. Fifty nine students who participated in the study stated that democracy should principally
be taught to politicians. In this theme, 2 sub-dimensions were determined based on the student opinions. These
opinions come under the “decision making” and “tolerance and communication” sub-dimensions. In the decision
making sub-dimension, students stated that politicians should be sensitive concerning a more democratic rule
and they should be fair. They emphasized that principally politicians should be taught democracy and they really
should have democratic attitudes and values. It was stated that they should have a democratic mentality of rule
and the principle of equality would be protected by this way. According to the students‟ opinions, equality,
justice and democratic rule can be provided more easily when politicians learn and apply democracy: “We
should teach democracy to politicians to ensure that they behave fairly to the public. A society which is fairly
treated and given its rights would be more productive” (S5). “We should teach it principally to state governors,
because people who govern the state also govern us. They also govern our rights and freedoms…” (S21). “I
think we must teach democracy to governors. We must teach it to them so that they apply the rules fairly and
teach democracy to the public” (S35).
In the “Tolerance and communication” sub-dimension, students emphasized that politicians should be models for
society in their behaviors. However, the politicians do not pay attention to this. They also stated that politicians
sometimes swear publicly at each other and show rude behaviors towards each other and they can use violence.
Students suggested that it was necessary for politicians to make an effort to learn democracy, and to develop
democratic behaviors, in order to eliminate such poor behaviors and actions. One of the students who took part
in the research said, “We should teach democracy to Members of Parliament. Everybody’s opinion should be
respected in democracies. However, we hear so much swearing in Parliament. People interrupt each other’s
words, without listening. There are fights. However everybody must be allowed to sincerely express his opinion
in democracies. Everybody’s opinion should be respected. All in all, everybody in Parliament has the right to
speak and everybody watches Members of Parliament…” (S16). Another student said, “I think democracy
should be taught to politicians because sometimes politicians lose their tempers and they fight, swear and make
fun of each other. For this reason, democracy should be taught to politicians.” (S37). Another student said,
“Democracy should be taught to statesmen because children watch them fighting and swearing at each other on
TV. If statesmen continue to behave in this way, people may take this as a model. So, our country will become a
country of fights and will regress.” (S44).
Students stated that statesmen and politicians who rule the country should learn democracy as they are models
for society and a group that is always watched and followed should have more democratic behaviors and
attitudes. They should be more careful about this.
387