Titanic Post

There is a lot of talk about democracy in the news and in political speeches these days. It is a powerful word that evokes images of something good, something desirable, and something we are proud of having. Our understanding of democracy is kind of fuzzy. The word has been reduced to slogans used by just about everybody for just about any occasion. The word is often used interchangeably with “freedom,” a synonym for “No, you can’t have that!,” and for “the reason you should vote for me, is that I stand for it.” As such the word has been diluted and warped almost beyond recognition. It no longer has a clear and concise meaning. So what is democracy really, what is it good for, and what do we as a country need to do to make it work?

Webster’s definition of democracy is:

a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections

This is a good starting point in an abstract way. A more practical way to define democracy is to look at what democracy actually does for “we the people” who have this power vested in them and what this requires of us in turn.

Democracy essentially provides all citizens with opportunities to have a voice in the government that regulates their lives. In particular, democracy is defined by:

• Effective participation in government through voting  and political work
• Equality in voting where your vote counts as much as General Motors
• Gaining enlightened understanding of the political system through good education.
• Exercising final control over agendas
• Inclusion of all adults in the process

So what are the intended consequences of a democracy and what’s in it for us?

• Democracy avoids tyranny
• Protects essential rights
• Ensures general freedom
• Self determination
• Moral autonomy
• Human development
• Protects essential personal interests
• Insures political equality
• Guides us toward peaceful solutions of conflicts
• Gives us a chance at prosperity

To function properly, large scale democracy requires the following:

• Elected officials
• Free, fair, and frequent elections
• Freedom of expression
• Alternative sources of information from a truly free and independent press
• Associational autonomy
• Inclusive citizenship
• Most of all, democracy requires the active participation and the critical, watchful eyes of all.

Lists taken in part from Robert A. Dahl, On Democracy, Yale University Press, 1998.