Category: Democratic News

Democracy is the word used to refer to a political system that puts the people’s will, not a privileged group’s will, at the center of its decision-making. It involves the free participation of citizens in government, through periodic and genuine elections, where they express their will on matters that affect them directly and through representatives chosen freely.

The word democracy comes from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (rule). It describes a form of governmental organization that developed in some of the city-states in the fifth century bce, including Athens. It is an idea with a powerful and enduring appeal, inspiring some of the most stirring speeches by leaders in human history—from Pericles in Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia. It is also a concept that is widely associated with certain values—equality, human rights, freedom and responsibility, etc.—that most people hold dear and that many would like to see reflected in the way their societies are run and the manner in which they live together.

There is no one clear definition of democracy, though most involve the principle of popular sovereignty—in Abraham Lincoln’s words, a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Democracy has also been defined as a process of choosing a government through regular and genuine elections, wherein the population chooses a representative to act on their behalf in the country they live in. It is also a principle that states that people have the right to discuss ideas with others and to meet and organize in groups to protest decisions they oppose or disagree with, even if these activities are inconvenient for governments.

In terms of the individuals who make up the demos, some philosophers have argued that democracy cultivates in its participants qualities like autonomy, rationality, activity, and morality. This is the reason some favor it over other forms of government, including monarchy and aristocracy.

But other scholars argue that these virtues are not innate to democracy, and furthermore that they may be undermined by democratic institutions, such as electoral fraud, corruption, poverty, and weak rule of law. In addition, the fact that a minority of people have more influence over democracy than the majority makes the possibility of negative effects a real threat.

A further problem is that it takes time for the different facets of people’s lives to find organized political expression. Thus, some issues may have to wait a long time for their voices to be heard—such as the exploitation of the poor by the rich, the environmental impact of industrial society, or the need for women’s participation in politics (UDHR Article 20).

The nature and extent of democracy’s influence on individual and social life depends largely on prevailing political, cultural, and economic conditions. Democracy can also be eroded by temporary or long-term political violence, and by government interference in the electoral process. It can also be weakened by social divisions and ethnic tensions, the prevalence of religious fundamentalism, or discrimination in hiring and housing.

One of democracy’s core principles is the idea that all citizens are treated equally, with justice and freedom of choice. This balance is essential to a healthy society and a prosperous economy. It requires compromise and collaboration, and the willingness of people to give up some personal preferences for the greater good. It is a delicate balance and the health of democracy depends on many factors, including voting rights, government performance and public trust. The recent loss of confidence in the US government is raising alarms that democracy has hit a critical inflection point. A 2022 report from the Brookings Institution states that the US is experiencing a deep, systemic democratic crisis, which poses a threat to the economic and social health of America. And according to a study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the US has become more erratic and irrational as democracy has been eroded at home.

In the late 19th century, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville visited America and wrote Democracy in America. Tocqueville saw a country in the midst of a whirlwind transformation. Manifest destiny was physically expanding the nation from sea to shining sea, and industrialization was rapidly changing America’s agrarian lifestyle into a capitalist society. This transformation, although it improved living standards for many Americans, also aggravated sectional tensions between North and South.

At the same time, American democracy was experiencing an unprecedented level of political polarization. The norms of democracy—self-restraint in the exercise of power and a rejection of violence—were eroding rapidly. The Supreme Court had become politicized, and partisan battles had reached even the most insular of institutions.

Many scholars and pundits today agree that the US is not living up to the ideals of democracy. Some worry that democracy is in serious decline and that the US will no longer be able to serve as a model for other countries to follow. Certainly, the international community is questioning whether or not the US should continue to export American democratic values abroad, which only fuels distrust and encourages bloc-based confrontation.

Tocqueville’s warnings are more relevant than ever. It is clear that the United States needs to reflect on its internal democracy and make substantial changes. The country should also pragmatically reassess its foreign policy methods and focus on cooperation instead of confrontation.

This digital edition of Democracy in America includes a full set of footnotes and links to the original works that Tocqueville referenced while researching and writing the book. It was edited by Alan Keely, retired Associate Director for Collection Services at Wake Forest Law School. HeinOnline is proud to partner with him to provide students and researchers this innovative new way to explore this important work. HeinOnline’s unique tools enable users to jump from the pages of Democracy in America into the original sources it references. For more on this and other groundbreaking new digital content from HeinOnline, visit HeinOnline’s Constitutional Law Library. Copyright notice: Text is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND). It may be archived and redistributed for noncommercial use only, with attribution to the author and a link to this copyright notice.

Freedom means more than just the ability to live without restrictions; it’s also about empowering individuals by providing them with tools to help them realize their full potential. Freedom allows individuals to take control of their lives and make decisions that reflect their values, beliefs, and preferences. Freedom is essential in ensuring that people are able to live the lives they want to live and to contribute to society in a meaningful way.

For some, freedom might mean having access to healthcare and education. For others, it might mean the opportunity to travel and explore new places. Regardless of what freedom means to each individual, it’s clear that it’s a fundamental human right.

Freedom is one of the most important things that we can have, and it’s something that we should always strive to achieve. However, just because something is a human right doesn’t mean that it’s easy to accomplish. There are a lot of barriers that prevent people from achieving their goals, and the most common barrier is lack of self-discipline. This is where apps like Freedom come into play, as they can help individuals stay focused on work by blocking distracting websites and applications.

Unlike other productivity apps, Freedom is a freemium app that offers users seven free block sessions without any credit card information required. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to download the app for Windows or macOS from the official website and follow the on-screen prompts to install it. The app will then be available to use in your taskbar or menu bar and will remain visible at all times.

Once you’ve installed the app, you can create a session and choose what apps and websites to block. You can start a session immediately or schedule it to begin at a specific time in the future. You can also add app exceptions and disable notifications if you need to be alerted when certain apps are activated.

In addition to the standard list of distractions, you can also block social media and news sites, which is a great feature for those who need to focus on work. The app also supports multiple devices and comes with a locked mode, which can be a real lifesaver if you need to be away from distractions for an extended period of time.

There are many other apps that can block websites and applications, but Freedom stands out because of its ease of use and hands-off approach. This is one of the most effective apps for helping users stay disciplined when using technology, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you struggle with staying productive. The fact that it can be used on unlimited devices makes it even more useful, and the locked mode feature is a great way to ensure that you don’t accidentally cancel your blocked sessions. With that being said, the app can sometimes struggle with some websites (especially Facebook) and might not block them completely.

The law is a system of rules created and made enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and as the art of justice. Regardless of its exact nature, law is one of the foundations upon which society stands and the basis for the rights and duties of citizens. It requires that people respect and comply with legal norms, accept decisions of the courts when their interests conflict with those of others and protect themselves against abuses of power. It also demands the independence of the judiciary, transparency of government business and integrity of legal procedures.

The heritage of law’s philosophical debate stretches back millennia, from Aristotle’s work on the concept of justice, through medieval theorists such as Richard Foxe, John Locke and Niccolo Machiavelli and the European Enlightenment writers like Montesquieu and John Adams. It continues to reshape thinking today in the work of Max Weber, who questioned traditional ideas of the state’s extension into civil society and of the relationship between the individual citizen and the authority of the state.

Modern law is a vast subject, covering virtually every aspect of human life in some way or another. It is often divided into three broad areas for convenience, though the subjects intertwine and overlap: labour law focuses on the tripartite industrial relationship between employer, worker and trade unions; criminal and civil procedure are concerned with the rules that govern how trials and appeals proceed; and evidence law is the study of which materials can be admitted into court as valid proof in cases.

Other areas of law include environmental and tax laws. Environmental laws regulate the exploitation of natural resources and prohibit the emission of pollutants; tax laws set minimum standards for corporate taxes, value added taxes and other types of levies. Banking and financial law sets rules for granting loans, regulating capital investment and preventing bank runs. Banking laws also require banks to maintain minimum capital reserves.

There are also laws governing space travel, which cover everything from manned flights to private spacecraft to the use of outer space. Law is even involved in our online activities, with cyberlaw examining how to protect personal data, such as passwords and email addresses, and with privacy laws.

A key element in any law course is teaching students to understand the parliamentary process by which bills become laws. The basic principle is that a representative sponsors a bill and it is then assigned to a committee for study. If released from the committee, it can be debated and voted on in the House of Representatives; once a bill is passed by the House and signed into law by the president (or repassed over the president’s veto), it becomes law. This basic legislative process has been criticised as inherently corrupt, since the people who sponsor and vote on bills are often the same powerful officials to whom the Rule of Law is supposed to offer a counterweight.

After decades of authoritarian rule, Indonesia’s political landscape was transformed by democratic reforms. But the transformation has been slow and uneven, with the country still lagging behind on several civil and human rights benchmarks. This article looks at whether the Indonesian state meets key requirements for a consolidated democracy and highlights areas where further improvement is needed.

Does the legal framework for elections and electoral management bodies ensure that citizens are able to choose their leaders freely? Indonesia’s electoral rules were designed through a lengthy process described as “a game of inches” in which interested parties negotiated for years, considering the implications of each proposed change and bartering support for one amendment for another. The process resulted in a set of rules that are broadly considered to be fair, but there are exceptions. For example, the hereditary sultan of Yogyakarta continues to serve as that region’s unelected governor under a law passed in 2012.

Do voters and candidates have freedom from domination by external or extrapolitical forces? The military remains a powerful force in Indonesian politics. A number of former commanders have been tapped for cabinet posts, and President Joko Widodo’s own military background gives him a unique platform to shape public discourse and policy. In addition, local ordinances based on Sharia law impose strict restrictions on dress and gambling, among other things, and are frequently disproportionately enforced against women and LGBT+ individuals.

Can people move freely within the country and between regions to pursue employment, education, and private businesses? The freedom to work, travel, and establish residences is respected in practice, though this right can be restricted if a person is suspected of supporting separatism or insurgency. Moreover, corruption is widespread in the justice system. Courts regularly convict suspects on the basis of coerced confessions, and judges can be influenced by religious considerations.

Are citizens protected from arbitrary arrests and detention, and from torture and other cruel treatment in police custody? Existing safeguards against ill-treatment in criminal cases are often not enforced. In addition, police reportedly engage in repression of dissent and restrict freedom of expression through the use of vaguely-worded laws. The death penalty is imposed for serious crimes, and prisoners are reported to be subjected to physical and emotional abuse.

Do different segments of the population (ethnic, racial, religious, gender, and sexual orientation) have full political rights and electoral opportunities?

When Jokowi first ran for the presidency in 2014, his humble origins and pro-market policies fueled hopes that he would usher in a wave of reform. His anti-corruption pledges and can-do track record in local government bolstered expectations that he could bring similar reforms to the national level. However, his alliance with populist leaders who share increasingly illiberal inclinations has sparked concerns of a rise in “strongman” politics. He also has struggled to deliver on his promises of boosting economic growth and curbing inequality. This has led to an increase in popular frustrations with the government’s record.

A democracy is a way of organizing people to make and implement decisions for the common good. A democratic society allows and encourages all its citizens to participate through voting, volunteering, activism or public discourse. This participation ensures that the views and opinions of all citizens are heard, taken into account and represented in government. Democracy also guarantees that everyone has a fair chance of having their voice heard by the government, through regular elections that are free and open to all.

Democracy’s name derives from two Greek words: demos, meaning ‘people’, and kratos, which means ‘rule’ or ‘power’. It’s a system of rule based on the principle that power should be distributed to the whole of society and that all people are equal in the eyes of law. Democracies guard against all-powerful central governments and decentralize decision making to local levels, understanding that the best way to meet the needs of their citizens is through genuine consultation.

The three most commonly used indicators for assessing the health of a democracy are:

1. How well do different groups in society feel that they have a say in how the country is run?

The answer is a direct reflection of whether the rights and freedoms that democracy is based on are in effect. If there are infringements of these rights, for example if someone is discriminated against due to their race, creed or gender, it will be much harder for them to have a say in how their community and nation are run. This in turn can reduce the quality of democracy and increase inequality.

2. How well do people see their elected representatives holding the government accountable?

There are a number of ways to measure this, but the most common is through polling. This is a process that involves asking questions about the performance of the government and its members and comparing results to other countries. The goal is to understand how well people think their elected representatives are performing and what improvements can be made.

3. How well do people feel that the justice, peace and governance systems are responsive to their needs?

This is a key question for all democracies as it is one of the core tenets of democracy. The most commonly used indicators of this are whether or not people believe their governments have a fair judiciary, treat women equally and provide the right to religion. This is a global concern with majorities in all countries surveyed saying that these issues are very important to them. In contrast, the lowest rated priority is the ability to form an opposition party, which is only seen as very important in nine of the thirty-five countries surveyed. This suggests that there is a need for more work on how to make democracy work better. This could involve finding new ways to allow people to express their views without fear of social opprobrium, or it might involve encouraging more civic involvement by developing more effective models for citizen engagement and decentralization.

The United States is not a straight A student when it comes to democracy, still less a role model for the world. The country has long struggled to implement and sustain the principles of a government of the people, by the people and for the people articulated in the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, abolitionist movement, civil rights movement and affirmative action.

Despite these accomplishments, the US is currently suffering from a serious democratic crisis, characterized by the erosion of popular confidence in the country’s government. The problem stems from the polarization of American society and its lost faith in the system’s ability to deliver a better life. It also has a lot to do with the way power is exercised and distributed within our political institutions.

Political polarization in America has made it increasingly difficult for citizens to understand what is happening inside their own government and what the consequences of various decisions might be for them and their families. This has undermined the effectiveness of our political system and reduced the space for cooperation and compromise in policy making.

The most significant cause of the decline in democracy in america is that the two dominant political parties have drifted apart significantly and have eliminated many areas of common ground. Consequently, it has become increasingly difficult for them to govern.

In addition to the political wrangling in the media that has undermined the gatekeeper function and allowed the spread of false information, the decline of democracy is further complicated by the growing economic inequality. As the wealth of the rich has grown and the poor have been left behind, the US has moved away from its founding ideals as a country for all.

A third reason why the decline in democracy is so serious is that the needs of many Americans are not being met by our government. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of a health care system that is expensive for everyone but affordable only for the richest and most white people. Poor and minority voters keep being asked to vote to save democracy, but they are not going to do it if the system keeps failing to meet their most basic needs.

The US must focus on improving its own democracy before trying to export it to the rest of the world. This is not only in the interests of the American people but also of the global community, which will be much better off if no one country attempts to impose its standards for democracy on other countries or uses democracy as a pretext for intervention, subversion and wars. The world faces major challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change, and it will be able to overcome them only if nations work together. To do so, they need to address the most pressing issues of the day—like health care, education, housing and income equality—not fight each other over them. This will be easier to do if the US takes on more international responsibilities and stops trying to dominate the world by using its version of democracy as a tool for suppression.

Freedom is one of the most cherished and elusive ideals. It can be seen in the gleam of a voter’s ballot, or in a prisoner walking out of a jail cell. It can be found in the right to vote, the right to religion, and even the right to protest. It is more complicated than simply being able to do whatever we want, though; true freedom must not be compromised by the rights of others and is limited by what we can do without hurting them.

It can be difficult to know how to balance the different aspects of freedom, especially in a world full of distractions. Thankfully, there are tools that can help us stay focused and productive while we work. One such tool is Freedom, which allows users to block websites and apps to help them focus on their work. Freedom combines a productivity timer with customizable block lists to help users focus and build productive habits.

When using Freedom, users first need to create a custom list of sites and apps they would like to block. They can add multiple sites to a single session or add each site individually to a particular block list. Once the list has been created, the app will automatically block these sites and notify them that a blocking session has begun. This feature helps users maintain focus and avoid distractions, which is particularly useful for people who struggle with multitasking. For example, trying to watch a YouTube video while writing a report can easily take 3x – 10x longer to complete than it should.

After a few sessions, users can start to see patterns of what types of sites or apps tend to distract them during their work and adjust their list accordingly. This can also help users develop a sense of what they need to do to be most productive and successful. For example, if they find that they need to use music to concentrate, they can set up a playlist that is only activated during blocking sessions.

There are many other features available within Freedom, including the ability to customize a profile that will appear to others when they are using the program. This can be helpful for parents who are trying to use Freedom with their children to help them focus on schoolwork or homework. Additionally, Freedom offers a “Locked Mode” that prevents users from exiting the program before their blocking session is over, which can be helpful for fostering discipline.

Freedom is available for desktop and mobile devices. It comes with a free trial that includes seven free blocking sessions, which do not require users to provide credit card information. The app is then available for a one-time fee, with 3 pricing tiers to choose from. To learn more about Freedom, visit its website. In addition, the app has an informative YouTube channel that can be helpful for new users. In addition to blocking websites and apps, Freedom can also be used to block content on a web browser.

Law is a framework that allows individuals and groups to interact with each other safely and securely. It promotes justice and equality, shapes social norms and values, and supports economic activity. Without law, society would be chaotic and the vulnerable would be left unprotected. While many theories exist to define law, they are often complex and open to criticisms. Despite this, efforts are being made to simplify law and make it easier to understand.

The main function of law is to protect individual rights and promote justice in society. This is done by establishing standards that people must adhere to, resolving disputes, and providing a standard method for determining debates. It is also necessary for maintaining order and ensuring that people have access to essential resources, such as water and electricity. Laws are also put in place to ensure that wealthy individuals do not have a monopoly over these resources, which could lead to economic inequality.

There are four core functions of law: Establishing Standards: The law shows the base acknowledged conduct in the public arena. For instance, certain behaviours such as injuring someone without justification are criminal because society (through the legislative body) has determined that it will not tolerate these types of practices. Resolving Disputes: The law provides a conventional way of resolving debates. This includes the formal court system and alternative methods such as mediation and arbitration. It also protects liberties and rights such as freedom of speech and religion. Setting Norms: The law sets a standard of what is right or wrong based on a society’s circumstances and values. This includes the Bill of Rights and labour laws, which regulate how companies treat their employees. It also establishes what materials are admissible in a court of law.

It is difficult to define law because it varies from person to person and is constantly changing. One thing that is clear, however, is that law is a set of rules that defines how something should be in a certain situation. It is also a system of procedures that governs the actions and decisions of those who are in a position to enforce it. A more general definition of law is that it is a system of rules that governs the relationships between people and the environment in which they live. This includes the rules of property, contract, and crime. It is important to note, however, that these are broad categories and that law covers a wide range of subjects. This is why it is important to study a specific area of law before trying to define it. For example, studying labour law involves understanding the relationship between a worker, employer, and trade union. This encompasses a variety of issues such as health and safety, wages, and benefits. This type of study can be very detailed and requires a lot of research. Similarly, studying civil and criminal law focuses on the processes and procedures that courts follow when dealing with cases.

The fourth-most populous country in the world, Indonesia is a mid-performing democracy with a service-based economy that is heavily dependent on domestic consumption. It has long been a regional power, with significant influence in international politics. Its democratic institutions function well, although corruption and insecurity still persist. The government is committed to furthering reform, including implementing the UN’s human rights treaty and improving governance in its poorest regions.

The country has completed four national elections since the fall of Suharto, each through a parliamentary process and then a direct popular vote. With the exception of Abdurrahman Wahid, who was removed from office by parliament rather than being voted out at the ballot box, all have followed established democratic norms and peacefully handed over power between presidential terms.

Elections are competitive, with multiple parties and a wide range of policy preferences being represented. The legal framework for elections is generally democratic, and electoral authorities are generally seen as impartial. Nonetheless, the powerful military continues to play a significant role in politics, with former commanders playing prominent roles in government and influencing campaigns and party candidate selections. Moreover, intimidation by nonstate actors remains a challenge for various groups seeking to participate in the political system.

Do different segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, and sexuality) have full political rights and electoral opportunities?

While Indonesia has a long tradition of diverse civil societies, discrimination against some groups still exists. In general, these groups have access to the political system and to representation in state and local governments, but they remain under-represented at the national level.

A significant number of people are satisfied with the way their democracy works. In 2018, about two-thirds of the country’s citizens rated democracy as “good” or “satisfactory.”

In a society rooted in Islam, the government takes steps to ensure that religious freedom is protected and that public life is free from excessive state interference. However, the government continues to restrict freedom of expression and assembly in some regions and is inconsistent in its implementation of the constitution and international human rights treaties.

In the future, it is important that the country continue to strengthen its separation of powers and bolster the independence of the judiciary. Indonesia also must continue to improve its economic development, particularly in the rural areas where many people live. Poverty rates have been cut in half in the last 20 years, but nearly a third of its population is vulnerable to falling below the poverty line and the wealth gap is growing. This could lead to instability and demobilize democratic forces.

USAID supports grassroots movements that advance tolerance and pluralism in the country, and works with young Indonesians to discover ways to manage differences constructively. We are also committed to supporting the Indonesian government’s commitment to further democratic reforms and reduce inequality. In particular, we will support the implementation of the UN’s human rights treaty and other efforts to improve government transparency and accountability.