Democracies and Human Rights
Democracy is the name for a complex set of political institutions and practices. As such it is difficult to define precisely. Attempts to do so usually involve some combination of elements such as “free and fair elections,” “representative government,” or “public participation.” Democracies can be characterized in many different ways, but the most common one involves people electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf, and then deliberating with those elected officials about public policy issues. This is the form of democracy most often seen in modern countries, and it is generally viewed as a good thing.
Democracy’s value is widely regarded as the result of its adherence to the core principles of political equality, inclusiveness, and popular control. It is challenging, however, to fully realise the benefits of these values in practice. For example, it is challenging to decide who should be a member of the political community – we typically use the term citizens, but this legal status excludes those who have not yet achieved citizenship; those who do not enjoy full citizenship; and those whose mental or physical abilities prevent them from participating in democratic decision-making. Moreover, decisions made by democratic states have effects that span the boundaries of their political territories and even across generations.
For these reasons, there is a strong connection between human rights and democracy. For example, the right to vote is a crucial aspect of democracy, and so is the freedom of expression. Without these rights, it would be impossible to take part in the democratic process, either by voting or otherwise taking part in the decision-making process.
The idea of democracy is a fundamental one in human society, and it has become ingrained as an ideal in the world’s political systems. It is also a central component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While there are many challenges to democracy, these goals serve as an important framework for continuing the work of promoting it.
Whether or not it is morally desirable to adopt a particular version of democracy is a matter for individual ethics. The main question is whether or not the benefits of a democracy outweigh its costs. These benefits can be assessed either instrumentally, by considering the outcomes of democracy compared with other methods of political decision-making; or intrinsically, by considering its values and the ways in which it affects people.
In this article, we will discuss the arguments in favor of democracy along both these lines. Instrumentally, we will explore the evidence that shows that democracy does produce better laws and policies than other forms of rule. Intrinsically, we will consider the value of democracy as a tool for enabling people to develop their character and improve their lives through their participation in politics. We will then discuss some objections that have been raised to these arguments. Lastly, we will look at some of the difficulties involved in measuring and econometrically assessing the benefits of democracy.
Democracy is the name for a complex set of political institutions and practices. As such it is difficult to define precisely. Attempts to do so usually involve some combination of elements such as “free and fair elections,” “representative government,” or “public participation.” Democracies can be characterized in many different ways, but the most common one involves people electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf, and then deliberating with those elected officials about public policy issues. This is the form of democracy most often seen in modern countries, and it is generally viewed as a good thing. Democracy’s value is widely regarded as the result of its adherence to the core principles of political equality, inclusiveness, and popular control. It is challenging, however, to fully realise the benefits of these values in practice. For example, it is challenging to decide who should be a member of the political community – we typically use the term citizens, but this legal status excludes those who have not yet achieved citizenship; those who do not enjoy full citizenship; and those whose mental or physical abilities prevent them from participating in democratic decision-making. Moreover, decisions made by democratic states have effects that span the boundaries of their political territories and even across generations. For these reasons, there is a strong connection between human rights and democracy. For example, the right to vote is a crucial aspect of democracy, and so is the freedom of expression. Without these rights, it would be impossible to take part in the democratic process, either by voting or otherwise taking part in the decision-making process. The idea of democracy is a fundamental one in human society, and it has become ingrained as an ideal in the world’s political systems. It is also a central component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While there are many challenges to democracy, these goals serve as an important framework for continuing the work of promoting it. Whether or not it is morally desirable to adopt a particular version of democracy is a matter for individual ethics. The main question is whether or not the benefits of a democracy outweigh its costs. These benefits can be assessed either instrumentally, by considering the outcomes of democracy compared with other methods of political decision-making; or intrinsically, by considering its values and the ways in which it affects people. In this article, we will discuss the arguments in favor of democracy along both these lines. Instrumentally, we will explore the evidence that shows that democracy does produce better laws and policies than other forms of rule. Intrinsically, we will consider the value of democracy as a tool for enabling people to develop their character and improve their lives through their participation in politics. We will then discuss some objections that have been raised to these arguments. Lastly, we will look at some of the difficulties involved in measuring and econometrically assessing the benefits of democracy.