The Democratic Ideal
by Ron Dultz
The word democracy has acquired two distinctly different meanings. When viewed as a purely political term, a democracy is a form of government in which decisions are made by the will of the majority, or by their elected representatives. Each person is granted one equal vote, and all matters the people deem worthy of voting on are settled by majority vote. That method of decision-making can produce favorable or unfavorable results, depending upon the decision-making ability of those who vote. If the majority of voters are misinformed or ill-intentioned, adhering to the will of the majority will not produce favorable results. On the other hand, if the majority of voters are informed and well-intentioned, adhering to the will of the majority will produce favorable results for the majority, but not necessarily for all the individuals participating in the voting process. Rule by the will of the majority might still be unfair to certain individuals within the voting group whose legitimate needs and aims fall outside of the legitimate needs and aims of the majority.
The other meaning democracy has acquired is the one which a large percentage of the world’s population respect and love, and to which they give their allegiance. I shall call that meaning of democracy the Democratic Ideal. That meaning of democracy is the one which should concern and interest us all. It has come to signify a beacon of hope to those who are oppressed, disadvantaged or disenfranchised because people have identified the Democratic Ideal with the concepts of equality and justice. People believe (or wish to believe) that when the primary objective of a society is to obtain equality and justice for everyone, humankind will prosper, liberty will find a home, good will triumph over evil, and the disadvantaged, oppressed and disenfranchised will be made whole.
An Enhanced Definition
The Democratic Ideal cannot be adequately defined by a few brief statements in a dictionary. It is far too complex and important a term to be conveniently condensed to suit a dictionary’s format. And it is far too complex and important a term to exist as a vague, semi-defined essence which millions of people love in their hearts, but cannot adequately give form to with their words. One of the reasons the Democratic Ideal must be thoroughly and accurately defined is to prevent its fraudulent use. A term which is loved by so many (democracy) is the perfect cover for the deceivers, manipulators and exploiters of this world. As great abuse and exploitation occur in the name of love, so do they occur in the name of democracy. By eradicating some of the confusion which surrounds this noble word, many who fraudulently claim to champion its cause will be found out. But perhaps the most important reason for adequately defining the term, democracy, is to help keep all freedom loving, just and fair people focused and united in their opposition to oppression and injustice.
Democracy – in the nobler sense of the term – is both an ideal and a hope. It signifies a political, economic and social environment in which the inalienable rights of people are respected, the well being of people is nurtured, opportunities for the full development of the individual are numerous and accessible to everyone, and genuine happiness is attainable by everyone willing to work for it. In other words, the term democracy has come to signify the conditions of life most favorable to human well being and progress. Seen in this light, the term democracy has three essential parts:
- It is a philosophy.
- It is a way of life.
- It is a set of conditions within a society or community which combine to foster and encourage the democratic way of life.
To fully comprehend the nobler meaning of democracy, these three parts must be defined or described in detail, with particular emphasis on their implications. The philosophical essence of the Democratic Ideal – as embodied in the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence – seems quite simple at first. The Democratic Ideal states that all people are created equal, and deserve equal protection under the law. It also states that all people have the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But what is implied here is as significant as what is stated. What is implied is the fact that any obstacles or impediments to the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – created within a society by people, their organizations, institutions or agencies – are undemocratic.
If a natural disaster befalls a society, such as a giant earthquake, no one would think of the earthquake as being undemocratic, even though it interfered in people’s inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But if man-made economic conditions, or other man-made conditions, or man-made laws or regulations, interfere in people’s inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it is proper that they be regarded as undemocratic in nature.
Role of a Democratic Society
A truly democratic society – one which fulfills the world’s expectations of the Democratic Ideal – provides people the means of obtaining a dignified, wholesome, productive and fulfilling life, as long as they are willing to apply themselves energetically, industriously and honestly, and can exercise thrift and common sense when spending their earnings. It also supplies a safety net of concern and care, of aid and support, for the infirm and disabled; and, of course, for children.
No country deserves to be recognized as a living example of the Democratic Ideal unless it earns that right on an ongoing basis. A country that is a suitable representative of the Democratic Ideal, and an example for other countries and other people to emulate, must fulfill numerous, rather strict requirements on an ongoing basis.
First, and perhaps foremost, it must have a sound economy which its citizens can access for a secure financial future by means of their labor. This means the essential goods and services which are needed by people (for education, medical care, housing, food, etc.) are attainable by them by means of reasonable effort and the exercise of average intelligence. The moment the goods and services people need to live a healthy, fulfilling and productive life become unaffordable to the average worker, or even the fully employed low-income worker, the quality of life implicit in the Democratic Ideal no longer prevails in their country. Any society which fails to provide an economy for its citizens that permits a hard working, thrifty and honest individual the benefits of a dignified and wholesome life for himself, and his dependents, does not offer its citizens the conditions needed to ensure that life can be lived according to the principles inherent in the Democratic Ideal.
Second, if a country is to be a sterling representative of the Democratic Ideal, its political, business and cultural leaders must work in behalf of democratic principles and the common good. The society’s major institutions, organizations and agencies (including its government agencies) must possess common sense and work in the best interests of its citizens. To think that corrupt politicians, greedy business men or self-serving agencies, organizations and institutions can rule over a democratic society is preposterous.
Third, if a country is to be a sterling representative of the Democratic Ideal, its laws, policies, rules and regulations must contribute to the common good, and not detract from it. A people cannot live freely in an environment of onerous laws, restrictive rules and regulations, authoritarian management, excessive taxation, etc.
In the broadest, philosophical sense, a country which fulfills the world’s expectations of the Democratic Ideal provides its citizens access to a way of life that is wholesome and satisfying. The citizens must apply themselves energetically, industriously and sensibly when providing for the well being of themselves and their dependents, and should be vigilant in behalf of the well being of their neighbors and community; but if these requirements are met, their society must be supportive of their efforts and contribute to the common good. Their society must be their partner in their quest for prosperity and happiness; and not be a source of their frustration or a chief contributor to their misery. If the broad and numerous avenues for living a joyful and spontaneous life, for fully experiencing life, for satisfying one’s essential needs, for learning and growing, for developing one’s potentials and using one’s talents – seem nonexistent, sparse or inordinately limited in one’s society, chances are that one’s society is not a bastion of democracy, regardless of how its representatives wish to portray it.
Some people will say it is not the responsibility of a society to provide opportunities to its citizens. Well, neither is it the responsibility of a society to deny them opportunities. A non-action is an action in disguise. Whatever a society fails to advocate, encourage, support and assist, it discourages and undermines.
Conclusion
I submit to you that if you do not see the beautiful flowers of human happiness and fulfillment blooming all around you, the conditions needed for the Democratic Ideal to flourish either do not exist, or have been stifled, in your society.
Without a standard of excellence to pursue, governments, as well as citizens, cannot be inspired to noble thoughts and right actions; so we should all be thankful the noble concept of the Democratic Ideal persists. However the Democratic Ideal is sabotaged by pampering a country’s reputation or “good name.” I submit that America (my birthplace) has rested on its laurels far too long, and it is past time for a severely critical look at the many ways it falls short of the Democratic Ideal. I say this not to malign America’s past accomplishments; but to purify her motives and instruct her citizens. I submit for your consideration that the United States of America is no longer the front-runner in representing democratic principles, nor does it currently provide the requisite quality of life or unassailable liberty envisioned by the Democratic Ideal. I leave it to the citizens of other nations to assess the health of Democracy within their own borders.
Thankfully, the noble principles and values embodied in the Democratic Ideal have now become the cherished property of numerous freedom-loving people throughout the world; and are no longer dependent upon the actions of a single country for their survival and promulgation. It is the responsibility and privilege of each of the world’s citizens to articulate and promulgate the noble principles and enlightened way of life implied by the Democratic Ideal; and to stand ready to defend them when they seem in jeopardy or betrayed, whether that abuse occurs at the national or local level, or within the framework of their own personal circumstances.