Topic 2: Meeting 2

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The right and responsibilities that make up a democratic system are not unlimited, of course.
Some restrictions are necessary. There are limited of fair play, of common sense, of safety. While
people in democracy are free, they may not injure the health or the good name of others.
Recognizing these necessary limits, let us examine the substance of democracy.

First of all, there is freedom of speech and the press. This means that all citizens have the
rights to speak their minds without fear of punishment. People who cannot speak think freely.

Citizens in a democracy may join a meeting or convention to support their government and to
debate a policy. They may argue, pass resolutions, or send petitions to the mayor or to the
government.

Sovereignty is the heart of democracy. It means that the people are supreme, not king, not a
leader, not a clique of despots, but the people. They have no hereditary rights in their jobs. They
may not hold office by force or fraud. Citizens in a democracy may belong to the party or their
choice.

Civil rights include the right to vote, to hold office, to have a fair trial to enjoy the privileges of
full citizenship.

1. Are the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democratic state limited? Explain your answer

2. What is meant by freedom of speech and press?

3. What is the central idea of paragraph 4?

4. What is meant by the motto “the people are supreme”

5. In which article of the 1945 constitution do we find the ideas of paragraph 4 above?

6. What are the civil right according to the text?

7. They may argue, pass resolution........(par 3) what does the word “they” refer to?
8. What is the meaning of sentence: they have no heredaty right in their jobs?

9. What are the right of Indonesia citizens according to the 1945 Constitution?

10. What are the responsibilities of Indonesian citizens according to the 1945 Constitution?

Answer:

1.No, because the people have the highest rights and responsibilities in a democratic country

2.That is, all citizens have the right to express their opinion without fear of law

3.The people who hold the highest power in a democratic country

4.It is the people who hold the highest power in a democratic country

5.Contained in paragraph four

6.Civil rights include the right to vote, to hold office, to have a fair trial to enjoy the privileges of full
citizenship.

7.People

8.They have a socio-cultural life which is regulated by customary law and customary institutions that
manage the sustainability of their community life.

9.The right of citizens and residents to associate and assemble, express their thoughts orally and in
writing, and so on

10.Obey existing laws