Radu Alexandra Democracy

RISE I

Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers. Aristotle Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows eligible citizens to participate equallyeither directly or through elected representativesin the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. !he term "democracy# originates from the $ree%, meaning rule of the people, the term is antonym to rule of elite &hile no consensus e'ists on how to define democracy, equality and freedom have both been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times. !hese principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. (or e'ample, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone see%ing to become a representative, and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution. )ne theory holds that democracy requires three fundamental principles* + upward control, i.e. sovereignty residing at the lowest levels of authority, ,+ political equality, and -+ social norms by which individuals and institutions only consider acceptable acts that reflect the first two principles of upward control and political equality. Democracy has ta%en a number of forms, both in theory and practice. .ome varieties of democracy provide better representation and more freedom for their citizens than others. /owever, if any democracy is not structured so as to prohibit the government from e'cluding the people from the legislative process, or any branch of government from altering the separation of powers in its own favor, then a branch of the system can accumulate too much power and destroy the democracy., Aristotle contrasted rule by the many 0democracy1polity+, with rule by the few 0oligarchy1aristocracy+, and with rule by a single person 0tyranny or today autocracy1monarchy+. /e also thought that there was a good and a bad variant of each system 0he considered democracy to be the degenerate counterpart to polity+. (or Aristotle the underlying principle of democracy is freedom, since only in a democracy the citizens can have a share in freedom. In essence, he argues that this is what every democracy should ma%e its aim. !here are two main aspects of freedom* being ruled and ruling in turn, since everyone is equal according to number, not merit, and to be able to live as one pleases. 2ut one factor of liberty is to govern and be governed in turn3 for the popular principle of 4ustice is to have equality according to number, not worth, .... And one is for a man to live as he

http*11en.wi%ipedia.org1wi%i1Democracy Idem.

li%es3 for they say that this is the function of liberty, in as much as to live not as one li%es is the life of a man that is a slave.I would conclude by saying that the most important elements of democracy are* - !he rule of law 0everyone must adhere to the same laws+ - /uman dignity 0citizens should protect and uphold the dignity of all people+ - 5olitical equality 0everyone has the same right to vote and run for office and to spea% on public issues+ - 5olitical freedoms 0people can spea% freely and vote without intimidation+ - 6ommon good 0citizens wor% towards the common good 7 what will ma%e people safe and happy+ - 2eing Informed and getting involved 0citizens should participate individually and collectively in issues that shape their community, nation and world+ - 5ersonal freedom 0people en4oy freedom of religion and freedom of e'pressions+ - 8espect 0citizens should respect the rights of others+.9

Aristotle, Politics, - :b 02oo% ;, 5art II+ http*11wi%i.answers.com1<1&hat=are=the=>=elements=of=democracy