Introduction Attention Students and Lecturers:
1. Economics-Awareness Public Finance Online Tutor: If you’re looking for something a little more interactive, online, then visit www.PublicFinance4sa. info.
Some years ago I authored an Economics-Awareness course as a result of the success of the N5/6 Public Finance programme. I have now adapted it to be available online on all platforms including the iPad and iPhone.
It serves as an excellent introduction to the course itself and I suggest to the student that it be explored in a group, or with friends as there are many discussion points and questions. Te convenience of being able to visit the site and interact in your own time is valuable, especially in the beginning when you might be waiting for classes to begin: get an early start!
It may also be used as a tool to find out if a prospective student is interested in Public Finance/ Administration.
My recommendation to the lecturer: use this an as introduction in class in the first week, and over a period of approximately four days; the questions will engender much discussion and interest and should assist you in the actual class work later on.
I hope you not only enjoy this, but also appreciate the potential benefit. It is my sincere hope that this, together with the Public Finance course itself, will help the student realise just how much power he or she has, that the democratic process is valuable and powerful, and that taking ownership of their community and country is vital to good civic duty and responsibility. Let’s make it happen!
2. Introduction To Te Course:
In centuries gone by the survival of the fittest usually meant that the strongest fought his way to power and held a title such as king, lord, baron, chief, etc. When people were largely uneducated, they were content to remain peasants, farmers or simple folk, and have someone powerful to look aſter their interests, either physically, financially or legally. History shows us how this trust was abused. Good kings, lords and chiefs were few and most took advantage of their immense power, over-taxing the people and making themselves rich. In short, the peoples’ money was seldom theirs to keep – few services were provided by those in power and most people remained poor.
One of the proudest symbols of democracy is the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, which was a giſt from the French people to America, and which is considered, today, to be the cornerstone, the epitome, or the living example of democratic freedom.
Modern symbols of Democracy While America uses the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of liberty and democracy, South Africa enjoys its own iconic symbol in the form of a person: President Nelson Mandela. His release and subsequent rebirthing of South Africa is seen by most people around the world as not only the birth of a new nation, but as one of the most powerful symbols of modern democracy today. It was in the light of this that more than 100 statesmen, including four Presidents and Prime Ministers from countries such as America, Great Britain and Canada were present at his memorial.
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