When we talk about democracy we automatically draw up the fundamental belief that each individual has a value. The free enterprise system that the United States has is parallel to democracy, because the free enterprise system is also based on individualism.
Democracy is not something that will be found in all countries. It is here in the United States because Americans believe in its basic concepts. There are 5 basic concepts of American democracy:
1. Worth of the Individual
2. Equality of All Persons
3. Majority Rule, Minority Rights
4. Necessity of Compromise
5. Individual Freedom
Worth of the Individual
Democracy is heavily based upon the concept that every individual is important and is a separate and unique being. This is probably the most important concept of democratic thought. This concept of democracy is about serving the many individuals that make up a society.
Equality of All Persons
Democracy greatly stresses the importance of the equality of all individuals just as much as the worth of the individual. However, let’s be clear that democracy doesn’t impose that the condition of all persons are equal. Not everybody is physically or mentally equal. Really, this concept is about giving individuals equality of opportunity and equality before the law. This means that race, color, religion, and gender are obsolete.
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
In a democracy, public policy is determined by the will of the people and not the voices of the few that rule. And we determine the popular will of the people through the rule of the majority. Democracy insists that that the majority of people will be right more often than any small ruling group. However, it does not say that the majority’s will is always right at making the decisions of the public policies of the government. In other words, democracy is a trial and error process for finding ways to find satisfactory solutions to problems. The good news is that minority rights keeps majority rule under check. The majority must always recognize the rights of the minority by listening and welcoming suggestions from the minority.
Necessity of Compromise
A democracy cannot go anywhere or even function with the slightest movement without the necessity of compromise. In a democracy, the people must always find the position that is acceptable to the largest number. Compromise is important in a democracy because a democracy puts the individual first and the answers to different public questions are not always black or white. Compromise is a process in which a democracy can work on achieving a majority agreement.
Individual Freedom
Democracy is all about individual freedom. However, democracy never insists on the complete freedom of the individual. There is no such thing as absolute freedom under a government. This can only exist under an anarchy, where there is no established government. Individual freedom gives all individuals the freedom to do as they will as long as it does not violate the majority will. Finding the balance between the rights of one individual the rights of the other is not an easy thing. Democracy only strives to find that balance.
“Democracy.” Wikipedia.
“What is Democracy?” What is Democracy.net.
