3e - EMC - Thème 1 : République et citoyenneté

Introduction to the Republic and Citizenship

Overview of the Video

• The video addresses students, particularly those in their third year, focusing on a subject related to the Republic and citizenship in France. It aims to explore key themes relevant to upcoming assessments.

Structure of the Content

• The discussion is divided into two main chapters:

• Principles, values, and symbols of the French Republic.

• French citizenship and European citizenship.

Principles, Values, and Symbols of the French Republic

Core Values

• The French Republic is founded on three core values: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. These are enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights from 1789 and reiterated in Article 2 of the Constitution from 1958.

• Liberty encompasses various freedoms including expression and religion.

• Equality is ensured through universal suffrage (the right to vote) for all citizens.

• Fraternity emphasizes solidarity among citizens.

Fundamental Principles

• The Republic operates under four key principles:

• Democratic Nature: Power resides with the people who elect representatives.

• Indivisibility: France recognizes one official language (French) and applies laws uniformly across its territory.

• Secularism: Established by the law separating church and state in 1905; it guarantees freedom of conscience without an official state religion.

• Social Responsibility: The state must ensure housing, education, employment, and healthcare for all citizens.

National Symbols

• Key symbols representing these values include:

• National anthem (La Marseillaise)

• Tricolor flag

• Marianne (symbolizing liberty)

• National holiday on July 14th

These symbols were solidified during the Third Republic (1870–1940), reflecting national sentiment towards public peace.

European Union Values

Foundational Values of EU

• According to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (2007), EU values include respect for freedom, democracy, equality for all individuals—including minorities—and emphasize non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity between genders.

EU Symbols

• Notable symbols include:

• The European flag featuring twelve stars symbolizing perfection and harmony.

• The color blue represents hope; stars signify unity among European peoples.

• "Ode to Joy" serves as the EU anthem but lacks lyrics due to multilingualism concerns.

• Europe Day celebrated on May 9 commemorates Schuman's declaration which initiated cooperation between France and Germany post-WWII.

Understanding Citizenship

Acquiring French Citizenship

• To become a citizen one must obtain French nationality through several means outlined in civil law:

• By descent if at least one parent is French (jus sanguinis).

• By birth if born in France to foreign parents acquiring nationality at age eighteen (jus soli).

• Through marriage after four years with a French spouse or via naturalization after five years residency with adequate knowledge of language/history.

European Citizenship

• Since the Treaty of Maastricht (1992), every citizen from an EU member state automatically holds European citizenship aimed at facilitating movement within member countries while promoting democratic ideals against discrimination. Programs like Erasmus exemplify this initiative by allowing student exchanges across Europe.

Rights and Duties of Citizens

Rights Granted

• Citizens enjoy numerous rights including political rights such as voting eligibility; civil rights like freedom of expression; economic/social rights encompassing labor rights and social security protections.

Responsibilities Expected

• In return for these rights citizens have duties such as obeying laws; respecting others' freedoms; contributing financially through taxes; engaging civically within their communities while upholding civic virtues like respect for shared resources.

Conclusion on EU Citizenship

• All EU citizens possess additional political rights concerning participation in EU institutions—voting/electing representatives within their residing country—while also enjoying equal access to social services regardless of where they reside within member states. If these rights are violated they can appeal to the Court of Justice for redressal purposes.