How to Restore Democracy in the 21st Century
Democracy is not an ideology, but a system of government that depends on the people for its legitimacy and its power. It is the only political system that gives each person a right to participate directly in decisions that affect their lives and that allows them to hold government accountable.
This is not an easy task: it takes courage, commitment and time for each generation of citizens to build democratic societies that are at the same time capable of preserving the hard-won legacy of freedom, human rights and rule of law inherited from their ancestors, while adapting these principles to new times and changing society.
The best definition of democracy is that it is “government of, by and for the people.” The most common form of this is representative democracy, in which citizens choose elected officials to make political decisions, formulate laws and administer programs on their behalf. Representatives are in a better position than private citizens to deliberate on complex public issues in a thoughtful and systematic manner, which requires an investment of time and energy that is often difficult for most private citizens.
A democratic society is based on three normative elements: the core value of equality; a concept of law and morality that articulates a commitment to public reason; and elections as a method for selecting representatives. It is impossible to achieve the full benefits of democracy without all of these elements in place and working together.
Modernizing democracy is challenging work — especially given that the powerful forces of polarization, partisanship and a sense of loss of security are aligned against reforms to boost people’s political power and give them control over their own futures. But America can still create a 21st century democracy that meets the crucial goals of being truly representative of and accountable to all Americans, while reflecting the nation’s fundamental shared values and democratic exceptionalism.
One of the most important ways to restore American democracy is to get young people involved at a local level. This is not necessarily about volunteering in an environmental group — though that can be very valuable, too — but getting young people to understand that their voices matter and that they should take part in local elections, community meetings and local civic groups. They will be more aware of the local issues that are relevant to them, and they will be better able to connect these with national and international issues such as global poverty, climate change or corporate exploitation.
The more engaged citizens are in their democratic process, the stronger and more stable a democracy will be. It is essential that all members of a democratic society have the opportunity to participate in it, and that this participation is not constrained by barriers such as poverty, poor health or lack of education. Inclusiveness is the key to a democratic culture, and it is a challenge for any politician or organisation that wants to maintain a democracy.
Democracy is not an ideology, but a system of government that depends on the people for its legitimacy and its power. It is the only political system that gives each person a right to participate directly in decisions that affect their lives and that allows them to hold government accountable. This is not an easy task: it takes courage, commitment and time for each generation of citizens to build democratic societies that are at the same time capable of preserving the hard-won legacy of freedom, human rights and rule of law inherited from their ancestors, while adapting these principles to new times and changing society. The best definition of democracy is that it is “government of, by and for the people.” The most common form of this is representative democracy, in which citizens choose elected officials to make political decisions, formulate laws and administer programs on their behalf. Representatives are in a better position than private citizens to deliberate on complex public issues in a thoughtful and systematic manner, which requires an investment of time and energy that is often difficult for most private citizens. A democratic society is based on three normative elements: the core value of equality; a concept of law and morality that articulates a commitment to public reason; and elections as a method for selecting representatives. It is impossible to achieve the full benefits of democracy without all of these elements in place and working together. Modernizing democracy is challenging work — especially given that the powerful forces of polarization, partisanship and a sense of loss of security are aligned against reforms to boost people’s political power and give them control over their own futures. But America can still create a 21st century democracy that meets the crucial goals of being truly representative of and accountable to all Americans, while reflecting the nation’s fundamental shared values and democratic exceptionalism. One of the most important ways to restore American democracy is to get young people involved at a local level. This is not necessarily about volunteering in an environmental group — though that can be very valuable, too — but getting young people to understand that their voices matter and that they should take part in local elections, community meetings and local civic groups. They will be more aware of the local issues that are relevant to them, and they will be better able to connect these with national and international issues such as global poverty, climate change or corporate exploitation. The more engaged citizens are in their democratic process, the stronger and more stable a democracy will be. It is essential that all members of a democratic society have the opportunity to participate in it, and that this participation is not constrained by barriers such as poverty, poor health or lack of education. Inclusiveness is the key to a democratic culture, and it is a challenge for any politician or organisation that wants to maintain a democracy.