Democracy and Citizens essays

Democracy and Citizens essays Democracy, in its simplest form, means all power to all the people above other issues. It means that society is run by its citizens, rather than the rich (aristocracy) an individual (despotism) a royal family (monarchy), or a clergy (theocracy). For survival democracy needs freedom of information and expression, equality between its citizens, and peace. Many people think that nations are either democratic or not - like a light switch that can only be on or off. There are different levels, like a dimmer switch. The demand for democracy is strong, and democracy's enemies (mainly aristocrats - the rich) have survived by compromise, creating governments with a low standard of democracy that give the people as little power as possible without causing a revolt. The more of a threat the people pose to the aristocrats, the more freedom and power they will be able to take. We have been lulled into security - by our pursuit of non-issues like animal rights and abortion, our fear of each other, and our plain hopelessness and apathy. The result is a semi-liberated netherworld where all are created equal until inheritance, where freedom of the press belongs to those who own a press, and where we fight wars for peace. It is a higher standard of democracy than Athens, but still not good enough. Higher up the standard is direct democracy (rule by the people without representatives) and at the very top is anarchy - a society so democratic that no authority is needed. Some talk of the social contract, and the consent of the governed. It makes sense that a rich person consents to being rich if they didn't they'd burn their money but who consents to being poor? People need to take an active role in their government. All too often, through our complacency, we tend to let other people make decisions for us in our best interests. In a democratic society, this proposition is dangerous. Every American over the age of 18 (as the age l...