Democracy Characteristics and Theory

Democracy is a term that every child learns as he or she attends school here in the United States. Our nation was forged around the idea of democracy as was the formation of our government. Many nations or countries may claim to be a "Democracy" but democracy has distinct characteristics. There is a difference between democracy and the theory of democratic government. In this essay the characteristics and theory of democratic government will be further explored.

There are four major distinctions to the meaning of democracy. Recognition of individual dignity is the first characteristic of democracy that suggests that people are entitled to "...life and liberty, personal property, and equal protection under the law" (Dye, T., 2008, (7), 1, pp10, ¶3). This is believed to be a right granted by birth to each and every individual. Philosopher John Locke thought that this was greater than any governmental law or organization (Dye, T., 2008). This ideal can be seen through the writing of Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (Dye, T., 2008). This was a concept that was believed to be entitled to all persons and one in which the government and political leaders take the back seat in the lives of citizens.

The second distinction in the meaning of democracy is equality under the law and equal protections by the law (Dye, T., 2008). This idea is centered around the thought that every man, woman, and child should have equal protection free of discrimination and blind to ethical or cultural differences in the criminal justice system of a nation or country. Democracy is not limited to the criminal justice system; it also involves aspects of life in everyday society. Under a democratic system each individual is guaranteed the equal chance to meet and surpass their potential for success in society but individual prosperity can only be determined by the acts and choices of an individual.

Third is the opportunity for every person within a nation or country to participate in making decisions that affect the public and society. "People in a democracy should not have decisions made for them but by them" (Dye, T., 2008, (7), 1, pp 12, ¶2). This process ensures that each individual is guaranteed the right to choose what decisions are made in their government. Finally is the characteristic of majority rule (Dye, T., 2008). This process allows each individual one vote or say in what decisions are made in their country's or nation's government. The chance to speak up, be heard, and make a difference begins with voting and participating in elections; this is granted through majority rule.

Democracy, according to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (n.d.),

"...is government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system." In the phrase of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" (¶2).

The main theory of democracy was intended to be that of the direct democracy. Direct democracy is when the citizens can take part in making the decisions in their community, nation, or country without the interference of government officials. This would be a direct majority rule verses the representative democracy (the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs, n.d.). This form of democracy was developed in Athens and adopted by different governments since. Representative democracy is where citizens elect senators, legislators, and other government officials to make decisions for the good of society and the public. This is the form of democracy that is actually used today in the United States.

Democracy was intended to make the voice of the citizens to be heard through the decisions, policies, and laws that they had a direct say in. With the changing times and evolution of government politics democracy has went from, the intended, direct democracy to representative democracy. With distinct characteristics, democracy is ultimately a way for the people to be heard while maintaining their freedoms and liberties. Some countries may claim to be democratic but without the presence of these characteristics they can not be considered democratic.

Reference

Dye, T. (2007). Politics in America (7), Chapter 1: Politics: Who Get What, When, and How. Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (n.d.). Defining Democracy. Retrieved July 4, 2008 from, web site: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/whatsdem/whatdm2.htm