Peace and Strong Institutions – A Foundation for Democracy Democracy is more than just holding elections; it is about creating inclusive societies where every voice matters.
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-10-02
This guide breaks down how to excel on exam questions about peace and strong institutions, using a model essay to show you exactly what examiners look for and how to achieve a top grade.
- Tekstsamhandling
Using the material below, write a text in which you respond to what is suggested about how to protect and strengthen democracy.
UN Sustainable Development Goal 16:
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Source: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal16
Albert Einstein:
- Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order - in short, of government.
Source: https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/jus/jus/ENGSEMJ/v08/undervisningsmateriale/IL%20&%20HR/Topic%202%20-%20Reading.pdf
Source: https://m.facebook.com/ImpactVoices.Global/photos/a.217417766375258/575421473908217/
Poster from Sri Lanka marking International Day of Democracy.
Peace and Strong Institutions – A Foundation for Democracy
Democracy is more than just holding elections; it is about creating inclusive societies where every voice matters. According to UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, a strong democracy relies on peace, justice, and inclusive institutions. This goal emphasizes the importance of building societies that are not only free from conflict but also fair, transparent, and representative of all people.
The poster from Sri Lanka marking the International Day of Democracy states: “Inclusion is an essential element for a thriving democracy.” This highlights a crucial point — without inclusion, democracy becomes fragile. When certain groups are excluded based on their ethnicity, gender, ability, or background, society loses important perspectives, and trust in the system weakens. A thriving democracy requires everyone to have equal access to participation, especially marginalized groups. For example, ensuring that people with disabilities can vote, be heard, and run for office strengthens democratic institutions.
Albert Einstein once said: “Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order – in short, of government.” His words suggest that democracy cannot function in a vacuum. It requires structures that guarantee rights, uphold laws fairly, and provide justice for all. Without this framework, peace is temporary and unstable.
Moreover, building effective and accountable institutions means that governments must be transparent and responsive. When citizens trust that their leaders are acting in the public’s interest and are held accountable for their actions, they are more likely to engage in democratic processes. Corruption and abuse of power are threats to democracy, which is why strong institutions are key.
Education also plays a role. Citizens who are informed and aware of their rights are better equipped to defend democracy and resist authoritarianism. Promoting civic education, encouraging dialogue, and protecting freedom of speech all contribute to a healthy democratic society.
To protect and strengthen democracy, we must focus on inclusion, justice, and strong institutions. This means involving everyone in decision-making, ensuring the law is applied fairly, and holding leaders accountable. It also means actively working for peace, not just the absence of war, but the presence of equality and justice.
Democracy is not a finished product, but a continuous effort. As the campaign slogan #LEAD16NOW suggests, we must act now to promote inclusion and peace. Only then can we create sustainable societies where all voices are heard and respected.
Tasks like this one are central to the English subject, especially within the curriculum area of "Democracy and Citizenship." They are designed to test your ability in tekstsamhandling—interacting with multiple sources to build your own coherent argument. The topic of peace and strong institutions is globally relevant and allows you to demonstrate a mature understanding of complex social issues.
An examiner isn't just checking your English grammar; they are assessing your analytical skills. Can you identify the core message in a UN goal? Can you interpret a famous quote and apply it to a modern problem? Can you synthesize these different pieces of information into a focused and well-argued response? Mastering this skill is crucial for achieving high marks in your written exams.
To write a strong essay, you need to go beyond surface-level reading. The sources in this task are packed with important concepts. Understanding them is the first step to building a sophisticated argument. Let's break them down.
| Concept | Explanation from the Sources | Why it's important for your essay |
|---|---|---|
| Substantive Peace | Einstein defines peace not as a negative ("absence of war") but as a positive: the active "presence of justice, of law, of order." | This distinction is key. It allows you to argue that a ceasefire is not enough for a strong democracy. You need functional systems that people trust. This connects directly to the idea of 'strong institutions'. |
| Inclusive Institutions | Mentioned in both UN SDG 16 and the Sri Lankan poster ("Inclusion is an essential element"). It means that institutions must be open and representative for everyone, regardless of background. | Use this to discuss who might be left out of democratic processes. The model answer's example of people with disabilities is excellent. You could also discuss ethnic minorities, women, or young people. This shows you can apply abstract ideas to real-world scenarios. It is also linked to issues such as youth disengagement from voting. |
| Accountability | Part of UN SDG 16's call for "accountable...institutions." This means that those in power must be answerable to the public for their actions. | This is the antidote to corruption and abuse of power. You can argue that without accountability, public trust erodes, and democracy weakens. This is where concepts like transparency, free press, and fair elections come into play. |
| Access to Justice | A core component of UN SDG 16: "provide access to justice for all." | This links directly to Einstein's quote. Justice isn't just an ideal; it's a service that strong institutions must provide. It means everyone has a fair chance to be heard and their rights protected by the legal system, regardless of their wealth or status. |
Many students find tasks involving source analysis challenging. Here are some common mistakes to avoid so you can secure a better grade:
When an examiner reads your response, they have a mental checklist. They are looking for clear evidence of specific skills. Here’s a look inside the examiner's mind: …