Democracy is a powerful concept that has inspired some of the most sublime expressions of human will and intellect, from Pericles in ancient Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia. It has also been hijacked by totalitarian regimes and demagogues posing as democratic figures, as well as by populist movements that threaten liberal values. Despite these challenges, the idea of democracy persists in the minds and hearts of people around the world.
While there are many different definitions of democracy, they all share certain core characteristics:
1. Government of and by the people, based on a shared set of values. This includes protecting every eligible person’s right to vote, including women and minorities; having a healthy civic culture; free, fair, and accessible elections that reflect the people’s will; and giving the people real power to hold their elected leaders accountable.
2. Equal political and economic opportunities. This includes providing access to high quality schools and universities, ensuring the opportunity to earn an adequate living, and protecting the rights of migrants and other vulnerable groups. 3. Freedom of peaceful assembly and association. This allows citizens to gather and discuss ideas with others of diverse views, even when they disagree with the decisions made by their governments. It also allows them to protest when they feel their rights are being violated.
4. Justice and dignity for all. This includes respect for individuals, their ability to make choices for themselves and their families, and the ability to speak freely (as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others). 5. Economic freedoms. This includes the freedom of movement and the right to own property, as well as the ability to engage in free market competition without interference from the state.
6. Equality of opportunity. This includes equal access to education, health care, and other resources, and the right to marry without restrictions. It is also the guarantee that all people are treated equally under the law. 7. The rule of law. This includes the separation of powers, a judicial system that is independent and impartial, and a constitution that provides checks and balances on the exercise of power.
Democracies are not perfect, and no one country has lived up to the ideals of a democracy completely. However, all democracies have mechanisms that can be used to self-correct when they fall short of the mark. These include the aforementioned institutions, as well as civil society organizations that promote and defend democracy’s fundamental principles, and international bodies that monitor and promote good practices.