A view of democracy and its doing
Literally, simply, and truly democracy means government by the populace at large; that is the people rule; that is the people do all the governance, and that governing is up to the people. We have come to call governance through elected representatives democracy, which it is not.It is a short way to express a specific way toward true democracy and is more correctly expressed as representative democracy, a form of republicanism. Where the populace is the primary active source of political power, a people is on the road to democracy.
By the mid 1950s the simple form of representative majority rule by the citizens of a nation was already referred to as a democracy rather than a republic. In this case representatives were elected by 51% of the vote or more. The percent of votes to gain a representative position could have been another percentage such as 100 % or 72 %. In any case democracy is approached when the supreme power is vested in the people and is EXERCISED BY THEM.
Democracy has worked better where the people or the franchised people (citizens) maintain an ongoing dialogue so that they they understood one another. Such a democracy is a stable and resilient form of government.
A well worked republic is a good form of governance. I believe that many of our founders saw it as approaching democracy.
I think that we can benefit by discussing a well participated democracy. You could initiate the discussion in the the comment section. Right now I will mention examples of the nature of democracy and its benefits.
Using Democracy
Well worked a democracy can provide a platform for peaceful resolution of conflicts and allows for the protection of human rights a fundamental freedoms.
Engaging its youth in democratic discourse is crucial for the sustainability and vitality of any democratic society. Young people can bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and important understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. By involving them in discussions about governance, policy-making, and societal issues, we can tap into their energy, creativity, and idealism. This not only empowers the youth but also enriches the democratic process, making it more representative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
Youth need not wait to be involved, they can practice involving themselves right now. As youth need not wait to be involved in governance it seems we need not.
Using democracy to your benefit involves actively participating in the democratic process. Your using can include voting in elections (How is a name chosen to appear on a ballot?), attending public meetings, and engaging in discussions about issues that affect you and your community. By exercising your right to vote, you have the power to elect representatives who align with your values and can work towards enacting policies that benefit you. You can organize to keep an eye on that representative to see that he is doing the work and send him a note of encouragement from time to time.
Using democracy for one's benefit seems a good idea. One way of doing so is by getting involved in grassroots movements and advocacy groups. By joining forces with others who share your concerns and goals, you can collectively amplify your voice a push for change. This can involve organizing protests, writing letters to elected officials, or even running for office yourself. This is just a tiny taste of the possibilities available to you.
Getting to know the nature of democracy
At its core, democracy is about people claiming a voice and ensuring that their collective interests rue in the governance of a nation. It provides a framework for peaceful coexistence and allows for the peaceful transfer of power usually through elections. In a democratic system governance tends governance of, by, and for the people. So the people are largely accountable for their governance and responsible for its quality. This is often achieved through mechanisms such as regular elections, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, an independent judiciary often ruled by a constitution, and through a wide distribution of power.
The people of a democracy promote the idea that every individual's opinion matters and should be taken into consideration when making decisions which affect society as a whole. They encourage open dialogue, debate, and the exchange of ideas, fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity. The people are involved in ongoing democratic dialogue in the knowledge that it maintains enough common understanding to keep their governance resilient and strong.
This tends to ensure that policies and laws reflect the needs and aspirations of the entire population, including the youth.
Democracy does not work, it must be worked
The citizens of a of a democracy realize that if they do not work it, it ceases to exist. They know that the must share their opinions if the want them to be known. They know they must listen so carefully to the opinions of others that they come to understand them. This calls for enough democratic dialogue to be ongoing. Public forums and town hall meetings are encouraged, and social media platforms are used. All are free to engage in open discussions about important issues. By actively participating in these conversations, you can contribute to shaping public opinions and influencing decision-making processes. But most have begun to realize this is not enough for a great many reasons. One is not everyone is comfortable enough in public speaking to make themselves understood. Another is that effective collective governance calls for what some call thinking together. In even a largish group of know others, a timid person is often able to learn to listen to others and to take a turn to say a few words. An inexperienced youth among such know others can practice useful listening and talking skills. Such groups are for learning and practicing democratic governance.
A democratic ambience promotes transparency and accountability in a republic and other circumstances. That democratic atmosphere encourages citizens to hold their elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions and democratic citizens find that it is not difficult to organize to keep closely informed about the actions and decisions of their representatives and other public officials. So may you, by staying informed about the actions of your representatives and holding them to their promises, you can cause your interests to be better represented and protected. Doing so need not take overly much time or energy, but may take a little dialogue to get started.
A citizen of a government of democratic tendencies can find that a sense of civic responsibility and empowerment develops within him. By actively participating in the democratic process, he becomes an engaged citizen who has a say in shaping the future of his country. This sense of empowerment can lead to a greater sense satisfaction and of belonging, and of knowing that you are actively contributing to the betterment of society. Try showing up.
Thank you for reading.
richard