Understanding the Core Values of Democracy and Their Practical Implications

The principles and beliefs that underlie the functioning of a democratic society are often referred to as democratic values. These fundamental pillars are designed to promote and sustain democratic governance, ensuring a society where individuals can thrive and contribute to the collective good. Key among these values are equality, freedom, justice, participation, accountability, pluralism, and transparency.

The Importance of Democratic Values

Democratic values are not just theoretical concepts; they are critical for the effective functioning of a democracy. Here's a breakdown of each value and its significance:

Equality: Every individual should have equal rights and opportunities. In a democratic society, political equality ensures that each person's vote carries the same weight. Freedom: Personal freedoms such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion are fundamental. They guarantee that individuals can express themselves and participate in the political process. Justice: Commitment to fairness and the rule of law is essential. Laws must be applied equally to all individuals, and everyone should have access to a fair legal process. Participation: This value encourages active involvement of citizens in political processes, including voting, civic engagement, and public discourse. Accountability: Elected representatives and government officials must be accountable to the people. There should be mechanisms to hold them responsible for their actions. Pluralism: Recognition and respect for a diversity of opinions, cultures, and lifestyles within society promote coexistence and mutual understanding. Transparency: Government operations and decision-making processes should be open to scrutiny, allowing citizens to be informed and engaged.

The Current State of Democratic Values in the Biden Administration

Fighting for fairness, justice, and equality for all, including those striving to join the middle class, is essential. However, these values are not universally reflected in the policies of Joe Biden's administration. The administration's approach seems to ignore certain core principles of democracy, such as accountability, transparency, and genuine participation.

Principles or Values of Democracy

Democracy relies on people's participation to balance and vet the powers of politicians. While this principle is crucial, it also introduces acknowledgment of politicians' potential to act in bad faith. This acknowledgment is often misinterpreted as a concession to corruption, as it does not fully address ethical considerations.

Contestation Between Party Representatives

The idea that democracy attempts to arrive at a populist mandate to give confidence to leaders elected to make decisions is a central concept. However, several issues arise from this notion:

Denial of Truth: Truth is often seen as elusive or ideas as subjective, leading to a lack of respect for objectivity or science. Forced Leadership: It adheres to the view that some people cannot be convinced, and instead of letting them carry responsibility, compliance is forced. This shows a surrender to dogmatism, skepticism, and collectivism, while rejecting personal responsibility and rational standards. Vote Buying: Elections are reduced to a vote-buying extortion racket, with the possibility of paying off middlemen holding the balance of power. Hope vs. Reasons: Democracy is often seen as a crusade in faith, a secular religion, or a mainstream cult. Its defenders accept its shortcomings but attribute these to leaders and the system rather than voter behavior. Practicality and Stability: Exponents of democracy believe it has delivered political stability and economic growth, but the reality is more complex. Wealth creation has often helped to pacify countries, but the welfare state institutionalizes political extortion, turning economic successors into political serfs.

Practical Implications for Economic and Political Stability

The practical implications of these values are also crucial. Here are a few key points:

Economic Growth: While democracy has generally helped to pacify countries, it has also institutionalized political extortion, creating a system where economic successors become political serfs. Political Stability: Representative democracy often becomes a relativistic system, where rational standards are only rewarded if they are concrete and self-evident. This can lead to a lack of integrity and pragmatism in policy-making. Dogmatic Custodianship: Leaders must be custodians of the system, but in practice, this can lead to corruption and a failure to adhere to ethical standards.

Conclusion

The core values of democracy are vital for fostering a society where individuals can thrive. While the Biden administration has made progress, there is still much work to be done to ensure that democratic principles are reflected in policy and practice. By addressing issues such as accountability, transparency, and meaningful participation, we can create a more effective and just democratic system.