Democracy is any form of government where people have a direct or indirect role in making decisions about policy and law. Traditionally, this has meant voting in free and fair elections, but it can also mean giving input into decisions or running for office. Democracy can have a host of different features, but at its core it is based on the idea that all humans are born equal and are entitled to be listened to.

Democracy has spread to many more countries than in the past and many are now liberal democracies. This is a good thing, as democratic countries appear to be better governed and able to sustain their own growth over the long term than autocracies, and they tend to promote more peaceful conduct between themselves and with other nations.

But democracy is not a fixed idea and it needs all of us to make it work. The more voices that are heard, the more robust and inclusive the discussions will be. That could be by voting, protesting, or even by simply talking about the issues with others.

In the modern world, most democracies are liberal democracies that combine the principle of equality with limited government and a market economy. They are often described as representative democracies because citizens elect representatives to represent their views and interests. But they can also be characterized as constitutional democracies, participatory democracies or civic-based democracy.

Some argue that democracy can be improved by increasing the number of people who participate in the decision making process and by giving them more real power. They say that this will help ensure that the decisions are made more fairly and will lead to more stable societies. This is known as democratisation theory.

Other theorists take a more philosophical approach and argue that there are intrinsic values in democracy, independent of any results. They claim that democracy encourages people to think more carefully and rationally about their choices because they have to justify them to other citizens, and it makes it difficult for people to claim ignorance or bias.

There are many debates about the exact meaning of democracy and how it can be best implemented. One criticism is that a democratic system will tend to reward short-term thinking by politicians, as they have to worry about winning the next election and so may prefer policies that benefit them immediately. This is called democratic heuristics.

A further argument is that a liberal democracy will always have some inequalities, whether because of differences between people or the limits on what can be achieved with the available resources. For example, some have argued that there is no such thing as a perfectly egalitarian society. However, other arguments point to the fact that there is no evidence that a well-functioning democracy has any negative social effects and that it can be very efficient at producing economic wealth. Some studies suggest that there are ways of limiting inequality within a democracy without sacrificing efficiency.

In an era where the COVID-19 pandemic is roiling, political polarization is growing, and economic inequality has reached a record level, it might be tempting to wonder whether democracy has lost its luster. According to a 2021 survey conducted by Pew Research Center, many of the US’s closest international allies view America as a “shattered, washed-up has-been.” Indeed, the American dream is looking more like a nightmare than a reality for many Americans and the world at large.

The American democracy that Tocqueville observed in 1831 was undergoing a profound transformation. Jacksonian ideology of “manifest destiny” was physically expanding the country from sea to shining sea, suffrage was being expanded to include most white men, and industrialization was transforming the nation from an agrarian to a capitalist society. In his book, Democracy in America (Democracy in the United States), Tocqueville sought to understand the nature of democracy in this new, fast-growing, democratic society.

Tocqueville was struck by the fundamentally different relationship between citizens and their government that existed in America compared to Europe, where a monarch or aristocrat could rule over the people with impunity. In America, the citizen’s rights and duties were regarded as superior to the government’s, and the concept of a democracy based on people over power was revolutionary in his eyes.

Today, the American system of democracy is still evolving, but the core principles have been distorted by the realities of capitalism and modernity. The US has sunk into a culture of money politics, elite rule and a political polarization that is corroding the foundations of our social fabric.

As the nation becomes increasingly polarized, there is no longer common ground between the two major parties. A veto point mentality has become the norm, and political antagonism between the most liberal Democrat and most conservative Republican continues to grow, leaving little room for compromise or productive dialogue.

Media monopolies have also limited people’s access to diversified information, distracting them from the real issues at hand and muting their voices in the decision-making process. Moreover, American foreign policy has tended to model itself after its own system of democracy and export this flawed transplant abroad, plunging countries into turmoil and wars in the name of democracy.

To understand the true nature of democracy in america and to expose its deficiencies and abuses, it is important to return to the original source of this revolutionary idea. HeinOnline offers an interactive edition of Tocqueville’s work that includes scholarly annotations by Alan Keely, retired Associate Director for Collection Services at Wake Forest University Law Library. This digital version of Democracy in America provides unprecedented access to history and the works that informed Tocqueville’s understanding of his subject. It is our hope that this edition will inspire new scholarship and thought about the future of democracy in the US, and around the globe.

Freedom is the state of being free from the constraints of a particular situation or a person’s environment. It also refers to the power of an individual to direct his or her thoughts and efforts toward a desired end. Freedom can be experienced at a personal level through the desire for an object and a clear understanding of how to achieve it, as well as at a social level through the existence of a system that provides an avenue for pursuing one’s goals without interference from others.

In the digital world, freedom is achieved by controlling access to websites and apps that cause distractions and enabling users to enter deep focus for longer periods of time. Using an intuitive interface, users can create their own block lists of websites and apps that they find distracting, or select from pre-made categories such as social media, gaming and shopping websites. They can then schedule recurring blocks for specific times of day or even set up ‘Locked’ mode that blocks all internet and app access for a defined period of time without the option to override or reactivate.

Creating an online account with Freedom is very simple. After visiting the official website, there are a few questions about what devices you will be using it on and how long you want to set your focus session for. From there, the interface is very user friendly and you can begin your first session right away!

The main feature of Freedom is its ability to block certain websites, allowing you to get work done in an isolated digital workspace. The block list can be customized so that the only websites you have access to are those that are necessary for your job (Linkedin, Facebook etc). It is easy to use and requires little training to understand how it works.

Aside from limiting distractions, the other major advantage of Freedom is its ability to increase productivity. Many people are able to get more work done when they do not have the temptation of browsing social media or checking emails on their phone. This is particularly useful for freelancers or students who need to stay focused in order to complete assignments.

In terms of the larger social context, freedom is crucial for a healthy society. The benefits of freedom extend to all members of the community by allowing them more choices, rights and power. This leads to a more prosperous economy, a higher quality of life and a lower mortality rate.

As the world becomes increasingly connected and reliant on technology, it is important to remember that we must protect our digital and physical freedoms. The first step is understanding what these are and how to fight for them when they are threatened. Once we have this knowledge, we can then begin the process of reclaiming our freedoms and ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to thrive in an independent and free world. The most effective way to do this is through education.

Law is the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members. Oxford Reference provides authoritative, accessible definitions and in-depth, specialist encyclopedic coverage across this vast discipline, from criminal and administrative law to taxation and social security laws. It also examines major debates in legal theory and explores how law is created and enforced in different countries around the world.

The term ‘law’ is also used to refer to the principles of conduct that govern particular activities such as sports, business or religion. These rules are often established by a religious authority and bind those who participate in the activity.

For instance, the principles of fair play in sports are a legal rule that are meant to ensure that everyone has an equal chance of winning the game. Similarly, the rules that regulate certain types of businesses are considered laws because they are intended to protect the rights of people and businesses. These laws are based on a system of principles, such as honesty, integrity and good faith.

A legal article can be written on a variety of topics, including the legal implications of certain issues, possible reforms or current developments in the field. It can also discuss the importance of a specific aspect of the legal system, such as its protection of human rights or its role in promoting economic growth. In addition, it can be an opportunity for a writer to voice his/her opinions on a controversial issue and spark discussion among readers.

As a legal scholar, you can also write about a particular court case or lawsuit that has been filed against the government or an individual. This can help to bring public awareness about important legal issues and also highlight the role of the judiciary in a democracy.

Another important area to consider when writing a legal article is the impact that certain laws and policies have on society. The legal industry is a crucial part of any economy, and it can have significant impacts on the way people live and work. By exploring the effects of laws and policies on society, you can help to promote changes in the system that will benefit all parties involved.

Regardless of the country or region in which you live, the law is an essential aspect of any democratic nation-state. It prevents the abuse of political power, ensures that all citizens have access to equal legal rights, and supports stable economies by upholding property rights and facilitating trade and investment. It also serves as the foundation for all other development goals, from poverty reduction to addressing climate change. Without the rule of law, corruption will increase, and access to economic opportunities will be limited to those who are best able to game the system. This will leave the most vulnerable in society unable to afford basic services such as health and education, and will prevent democracy from developing its full potential.

Since the fall of General Suharto in 1998, a series of reforms have transformed the world’s third largest democracy—and its largest Muslim democracy—into a mid-performing democracy that is a major oil producer and regional powerhouse. While Indonesia’s economic performance has improved, it still ranks below average in many areas, including civil liberties and judicial independence. Indonesia also faces serious challenges from a rising tide of Islamic populism that is infecting public discourse and political competition.

Does the population have full and unfettered freedom to organize in different competitive political parties or other groupings, and is the system free of undue obstacles that impede their formation? Indonesia’s governing system is characterized by pluralism, as nine parliamentary parties compete in presidential and legislative elections. But the country’s constitution limits a president to two consecutive terms, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power.

The country’s system of government is also democratic in that citizens elect their local executives—provincial governors, district heads, and mayors—via direct balloting. But a legacy of old elites in regional legislatures and collusive horse-trading between parties mean that policy preferences do not always carry weight. Furthermore, a significant degree of economic and judicial corruption inflicts a heavy burden on citizens.

In the 2014 election, the eventual winner, Joko Widodi (better known as Jokowi), ran with a broad coalition of pluralist parties. His rival, Prabowo Subianto, saw this as a weakness and forged alliances with conservative Islamist parties and Islamist individuals that could tap into religious tensions bubbling up from society. Prabowo and his allies portrayed Jokowi as too secular to govern a Muslim-majority nation. This effort was bolstered by an extensive online smear campaign against Jokowi and his family.

While some scholars believe that the mere existence of free and fair elections is sufficient for a regime to be considered a democracy, others take a maximalist approach and argue that true democracies not only guarantee electoral freedom but must also provide guarantees related to other core components of democracy, such as human rights protections, civil liberties, social group equality, and the rule of law. This volume seeks to identify, explain, and debate the signs of a democratic decline in indonesia that include the rise of vigilantism, resurgent state crackdowns on free speech and organization, a deepening of political polarization, and an erosion of checks and balances on executive power. These signs, the contributors to this volume argue, are part of a global pattern of democracy in retreat. The book’s contributors offer a range of explanations for this phenomenon, and discuss ways in which Indonesia can move forward to become a truly democratic country.

Democracy is a complex idea that requires balancing conflicting values. On one hand, it demands equality of all citizens — men and women — to have their views respected equally in public affairs. It also calls for the freedom of expression to challenge authority, develop unconventional ideas and experiment in ways that are not possible in authoritarian societies. On the other hand, it demands the rule of law to protect individuals from being unfairly treated by power centres or the courts. It also advocates fair electoral procedures, competition between candidates and an independent media.

Despite its complexities, democracy is often simplified to ‘rule by the people’ or to ‘one person, one vote’ in a representative parliament. But this is too limited a description of what democracy offers to be an effective moral justification. It ignores the fact that many citizens are excluded from this political process — immigrants without citizenship status, those living outside of the political territory and certain intellectually disabled people. It also excludes those who are not able to make their own choices about how they should be governed, such as children and the elderly.

It also overlooks the fact that democratic governments take into account many different facets of the social fabric when making decisions. For example, decisions about the distribution of wealth affects not only the individual beneficiaries but the entire community. They also impact on patterns of inequality over time and across generations. These decisions are not just about economic policy but about the very foundations of society – justice, equality and transparency, for instance.

These are just some of the issues that must be taken into account to fully appreciate the value of democracy. But there is more. Democracy is a fine balance of a society’s values, which means that it will almost always have room for improvement — for example, more inclusion, more considered judgement and more transparent decision-making. Moreover, a democracy’s health and success depends not only on its institutions but also on the contributions of all citizens — think taxes, voting and respect for others.

Many philosophers have endorsed democracy on the basis that it is best able to exploit the underlying cognitive diversity of its citizens and to uncover their interests and troubles (Dewey 1927). A second epistemic justification for democracy is that it provides an opportunity for citizen input into a collective decision process, even if experts know better how to solve such problems than the masses (Mill and Rousseau).

Finally, some argue that democracy unleashes human potential. As Daron Acemoglu explains, democracies tend to invest more in education and health care, which enable poorer segments of the population to reach their full potential and grow the economy (PDF).

It takes an enormous amount of hard work and sacrifice to create and sustain a democracy but it is worth the effort because it has so much to offer the world. The United Nations supports a range of policies to help promote democracy, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It is important to remember that this support is not for any particular model of government but for a broader approach to governance that fosters participation, equality, security and human development.

Democracy in America, the book by Alexis de Tocqueville, is a classic French work that analyzes the nature of democratic government and society. Published in 1835, it shaped 19th-century discussions of liberalism and equality, and is today widely read by politicians, philosophers, scholars and anyone interested in the nature of human rights.

Tocqueville argues that democracy is based on the idea of the rule of the people. To him, democracy is a means for establishing the supremacy of the people and preventing excessive power concentration by limiting the number of people who can hold political office. He also emphasizes the importance of preserving and strengthening traditional values such as religion and family. Tocqueville praised the American tradition of marriage as an example of these values and he was pleased with the strong role played by women in American culture.

But he feared that the American form of democracy could be corrupted by the influx of foreigners. This is because the American political system, which allows for unlimited immigration, is unable to control the population. He also noted that the affluent classes, who are the backbone of the economy, tend to dominate politics and become too influential. As a result, he wrote that the future of democracy in America was uncertain.

In his opinion, the US had to set a clear goal and follow it up in its promotion of democracy around the world. However, the US has been using democracy as a pretext to meddle in other countries’ internal affairs, causing political chaos and social unrest, thus undermining world peace and international stability. This makes many people wonder whether the US is really a democracy.

Today, the self-styled democracy of the United States is gravely ill with money politics, elite rule, partisan polarization and dysfunctional governance. Politicians are preoccupied with securing their partisan interests and they ignore national development. They have become addicted to vetoing, which results in the loss of legislative efficacy and has a detrimental impact on law and justice. Moreover, a vicious cycle of vetoing has emerged in which both parties identify themselves as the other’s enemy. This has exacerbated the divide between the two camps, making the nation a fragmented society.

The world needs to take a closer look at the current state of democracy in the US and the US itself should conduct some soul-searching. In order to uphold the common value of humanity, democracy must not be used as a tool to advance geopolitical agenda and counter human development and progress. We must strive to create a new world order in which the US does not monopolize the definition of “democracy” and instigates conflict and confrontation in other countries. It is time to reclaim the true meaning of democracy and make it serve humanity. To do this, we must first understand the meaning of democracy and the reasons why the US’s vision of democracy has failed. Only then can we move forward with a truly global democratic future.

You’re in a conversation with someone about freedom, and you realize that the two of you mean completely different things by the word. This is because there are a lot of different ways to interpret freedom. It is important to have clear definitions in order to discuss any topic thoroughly and without confusion. This is especially true for a topic as broad and important as freedom.

For example, some people view freedom as a state of being where they have the ability to do whatever they want. This could include having the right to vote, live where they choose, travel, or pursue any other goal they may have. For other people, it means that they are free to practice their religion or political beliefs in peace, regardless of others’ views. Freedom is a fundamental concept for many individuals, and it’s something that they fight for on a daily basis.

Some philosophers take a more negative view of freedom, claiming that it is the absence of any restraints at all. The most famous example of this view is that of Hobbes, who argued that a man is free when his impulses are unrestrained. This type of freedom is often referred to as libertarian freedom. It is a common position held by some on the far left and extreme right of the political spectrum.

This view of freedom is not universally accepted, however. For example, Immanuel Kant argued that in order to have real value, freedom must be consistent with itself. In other words, a person must be able to justify their actions with rational principles. This is known as the ‘law of consistency’.

Other philosophers, such as John Locke and George Berkeley, took a more positive approach to the idea of freedom. They argued that a person is not truly free unless they are able to control their emotions and desires. They believed that a person must be able to choose between good and evil.

Individuals can promote freedom by exercising their own rights responsibly, respecting the rights of others, and staying informed about their rights. They can also support systems of government that protect freedoms and encourage civic participation. This will help to create more responsive and inclusive societies. Individuals can also fight for freedom by advocating for laws that protect their rights, and by volunteering their time and resources to organizations that promote freedom. This is a great way to make a difference and ensure that all people have the opportunity to live their best lives.

The law is a set of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its people. Laws may be created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to keep the peace, maintain the status quo, protect minorities from majorities, ensure equality, or facilitate orderly social change. Some legal systems serve some of these goals better than others. For example, an authoritarian government may be able to keep the peace and maintain the status quo, but it may oppress minorities or prevent social change.

The study of law encompasses a broad range of subjects, from criminal and constitutional law to family and labor law. The law also involves the different branches of government and how they interact with one another as well as the judicial system. It also includes the major debates in legal theory.

Law can refer to a specific body of rules, such as the code of Hammurabi, or it can be used more broadly to refer to all of a nation’s laws. Some laws are based on religious beliefs or books, such as the Jewish Halakha, Islamic Sharia, and Christian Canon law. Others are based on cultural traditions, such as the customary practice of the family or community in a given area.

When a person breaks a law, they are often punished for it. A court might fine the offender or imprison them. A judge makes a decision about a case by examining the evidence and applying the law to the facts of the situation. Judges usually write an opinion that explains why they have made their decision. Their opinions can be used as a guide to future judges.

The main branches of law include administrative, constitutional, criminal, and civil law. Criminal law focuses on stopping people from breaking the law, while civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations. Constitutional law relates to the most important rights of a nation, including the separation of powers between the different branches of government.

There are many fields of law, such as adolescent and juvenile law, aviation law, bankruptcy law, family law, health care law, medical jurisprudence, real estate law, and tax law. Each field has its own governing bodies and regulations.

A lawyer, jurist or attorney is a professional who studies and argues the rules of law. They might specialize in a certain area of law, or they might choose to practice in general civil or criminal courts. Lawyers can also be divided into “transactional” attorneys who prepare contracts and documents, and litigators who defend or prosecute cases in court. A judge is a government official who decides lawsuits brought before the courts.

The success of Indonesia’s transition to democracy since the end of Suharto’s dictatorship in 1998 is widely credited to free and fair elections, the strengthening of institutions such as the parliament and courts, and significant progress on corruption. But there are troubling signs that democratic responsiveness to major challenges remains to be tested.

These include a burgeoning wealth gap, uneven health and education services, and the activity of radical sectarian elements. The country’s commitment to a pluralist and tolerant society is also being challenged. The Corruption Eradication Commission has made significant progress in tackling endemic graft, but the military’s continuing ties to the old elite threatens these gains.

In addition, a growing tide of Islamic populism is gaining traction and raising questions about the ability of Indonesia’s democratic system to balance the needs of its Muslim majority with those of minorities. Moreover, the threat of the coronavirus has highlighted weaknesses in the country’s response to public health crises.

Despite these challenges, Indonesians should not be discouraged. The recent rapprochement between Jokowi and former rival Prabowo Subianto offers an encouraging example of how leaders can overcome ideological divisions and regain legitimacy through political compromise. But it is unlikely that this elite-level reconciliation can alter the course of political polarization in the long run, and it may not be enough to counter the growing influence of illiberal forces within and outside the ruling coalition.

One of the most worrisome developments is that senior government and party officials are calling for a return to indirect regional elections. They cite research that claims voters in poorer regions lack the capacity to choose their own leaders directly. But this argument misdiagnoses the source of political malaise in Indonesia, which is more rooted in party-system dysfunction than in voters’ abilities to choose their own governors.

The current system of direct regional elections has been effective in devolving power and giving citizens more say over local governance. It is not inherently more democratic than the indirect polls used to elect local executives in long-standing democracies like Australia, India, and the United States. It would be a step backward to return to this model in Indonesia. Moreover, the government’s plan to develop an index to judge whether regional voters can make independent choices will result in institutionalized discrimination against Indonesians living in poverty. And it would undermine the country’s international commitment to protect citizens’ right to freedom of opinion, including the ability to criticize their public officials and representatives. This right is guaranteed under UUD 1945, which enshrines the principles of democracy.