The Values That Underpin Democracy
Democracy is a political system in which the members of a society make decisions for that society, including the laws and policies that govern it. It also involves them in choosing and electing representatives to make those decisions for them. There are different ways in which societies may be democratic, so it is important for citizens to know the values underpinning their country’s version of democracy.
The most common way that people participate in a democracy is by voting, but there are many other ways they can engage in politics and government. The more people that participate in these other ways, the better a democracy will work. It is vital that young people get involved in their local communities early, so they can become familiar with the specific issues facing them and how they can address them. This can begin by joining environmental groups or other protest organisations fighting against war, corporate exploitation, or child labour.
Educators can help their students develop an understanding of democracy by asking them to identify the values that they think are most important in the way they live their lives, interact with each other, and govern themselves. This will give them a “custom-made” set of aspirations and values that they can compare to the form of governance that their country currently has in place and judge whether it is a democracy or not.
A second important value that underpins democracy is equality. This is the idea that all members of a society are equal, regardless of wealth or social status. In order for this to be true, it must mean that everyone is treated equally by the state and its institutions, and that laws are fair and clearly written. It also means that everyone has the right to free speech and association, and that opposing views are tolerated and respected.
Another key underpinning of democracy is the idea that it is better for society if decisions are made by those who are most affected by those decisions. This is often referred to as the “cognitive diversity” justification for democracy, and it was first put forward by Aristotle (Politics, Book II, Chapter 11). It is based on the fact that decision-makers in a democracy are more likely than those in other forms of government to be aware of all of the relevant facts about the interests of a large group of citizens.
Finally, a third justification for democracy is that it is morally desirable. In particular, it is believed that a democracy will advance the rights and interests of those who are not well represented in other political systems. For example, John Stuart Mill argues that, because democracy gives each subject some share of the power to determine the laws of the association in which they are a member, this will ensure that the interests of less powerful subjects are taken into account more effectively than they would be in an aristocracy or monarchy (Mill 1861: ch. 3).
Democracy is a political system in which the members of a society make decisions for that society, including the laws and policies that govern it. It also involves them in choosing and electing representatives to make those decisions for them. There are different ways in which societies may be democratic, so it is important for citizens to know the values underpinning their country’s version of democracy. The most common way that people participate in a democracy is by voting, but there are many other ways they can engage in politics and government. The more people that participate in these other ways, the better a democracy will work. It is vital that young people get involved in their local communities early, so they can become familiar with the specific issues facing them and how they can address them. This can begin by joining environmental groups or other protest organisations fighting against war, corporate exploitation, or child labour. Educators can help their students develop an understanding of democracy by asking them to identify the values that they think are most important in the way they live their lives, interact with each other, and govern themselves. This will give them a “custom-made” set of aspirations and values that they can compare to the form of governance that their country currently has in place and judge whether it is a democracy or not. A second important value that underpins democracy is equality. This is the idea that all members of a society are equal, regardless of wealth or social status. In order for this to be true, it must mean that everyone is treated equally by the state and its institutions, and that laws are fair and clearly written. It also means that everyone has the right to free speech and association, and that opposing views are tolerated and respected. Another key underpinning of democracy is the idea that it is better for society if decisions are made by those who are most affected by those decisions. This is often referred to as the “cognitive diversity” justification for democracy, and it was first put forward by Aristotle (Politics, Book II, Chapter 11). It is based on the fact that decision-makers in a democracy are more likely than those in other forms of government to be aware of all of the relevant facts about the interests of a large group of citizens. Finally, a third justification for democracy is that it is morally desirable. In particular, it is believed that a democracy will advance the rights and interests of those who are not well represented in other political systems. For example, John Stuart Mill argues that, because democracy gives each subject some share of the power to determine the laws of the association in which they are a member, this will ensure that the interests of less powerful subjects are taken into account more effectively than they would be in an aristocracy or monarchy (Mill 1861: ch. 3).