What we should mean by democracy
March 16th, 2008 by I.C.
Democracy is not a form of government. It is a way of life.
A democracy does not need a president or a parliament or ballot initiatives. It can certainly have those things, but those are not the defining aspects of a democracy.
Rather, what defines a democracy is the attitude, behavior, and values of the people who inhabit that democracy. In a democracy, people take care of themselves and of each other. In a democracy, there is no need for government.
Why does government exist at all? In the most benign sense, people institute governments because there are problems in society that they cannot take care of. Government — with its laws, police, judges, court systems, prisons, and taxes — comes about because people cannot settle disputes between themselves or do not have the means (or the will) to take care of themselves or each other. Government, at best, is a necessary evil that is instituted so as to help society better function.
The larger the size of the government, the more it must intervene in the lives of its citizens. It becomes a meddling parent that refuses to allow the child to leave the house and learn to take care of him- or herself.
In America today, we have forgotten this essential distinction between our society and our government. So we have allowed our social way of life — democracy — to wither in the face of growing government power, particularly at the federal level.
Today in America, people no longer remember the skills necessary to settle disputes without government intervention, which leads to the proliferation of laws, lawyers, courts, and jails. There are more people in jail than ever before: 1 in 99 Americans. America incarcerates more people than any other country in the planet, including China and Russia.
Today in America, the people ignore the fact that their government spends much more than it earns in taxes. The government has racked up over $9.4 trillion in debt in entitlement and defense spending while spending another $3 trillion to $5 trillion on its failed imperial experiment overseas. And precious liberties, even ones as basic as habeas corpus, have been restricted or abolished in the face of the phantom menace of terrorism.
And what is there to show for it? Are Americans happier than they were 10 years ago? Are they healthier? Do they have more free time? More money in their pocket? More freedom? The answer to all of these questions is certainly no.
Democracy is more than voting for the Democrats in November. Democracy requires a total change of thought, attitude, and behavior about one’s role in society. Democracy means taking responsibility as citizens in failing to control the government. Americans must admit they have made mistakes — they allowed a man to take the Presidency and destroy this country over the last 8 years. They don’t want to admit this; they’d much prefer to run out the clock and put in someone else. But this is not taking responsibility. This will not prevent America’s slide to oppression, but merely change its flavor.
Democracy begins in the minds of the people, and no where else. The people must, themselves, crave both the benefits as well as the responsibilities of freedom. They must tell their controlling parent that they can take care of themselves. They must look at their restricted liberties, their crowded prisons, their failing economy, and call it what it is: tyranny. And they must acknowledge that there is no knight in shining armor who will correct their mistakes for them. The people must do it themselves.
For many things in life, the journey is the same as the destination. If people want peace, they must live a peaceful life. If people want love, then they must learn to live a loving life. The same is true with democracy. If people want democracy, they must live a democratic life. They must adhere to the principles of democracy — freedom of thought and action, due process, equality, tolerance, responsibility — in their daily lives. They must start to take care of themselves as well as each other.
Then one day, the people will say to themselves, “I have my basic necessities, my freedom, and my happiness. I am secure. There is no threat to me. Why is it that I need this government again?” It will be on that day that democracy is reborn in America.
I agree with you. But since we do have a Congress (Parliament, whatever) we need also have national ballot initiatives. Then the people could “check and balance” with a Congress which rolls over for torture, domestic spying, perpetual war and debt, etc.
Now all you can do is beg Congress for mercy, while the military/industrial conplex, the pharmaceutical industry etc. is paying them off for wrecking the earth and economy.
The best project for national ballot initiatives is from famed former Senator Mike Gravel:
http://Vote.org