Part(4) Principle for a Free Socieity DEMOCRACY

[William M. Finley]

PART(4) Principle for a Free Society DEMOCRACY

By Nigel Ashford

Realistic political participation

Most people are not very interested in politics. They have better things

to do with their lives: earning a living, spending time with their loved

ones, or enjoying the pleasures of life. Democracy does not require the

people to give more attention to politics than they wish. The minimum

is the exercise of the vote. Voters are encouraged to follow political

debate but are not required to do so.

However for the minority interested in politics, the attentive public,

there is plenty of opportunity to become involved. Democracy provides

for participation through public debate and discussion, the exercise of

the vote and by standing for office. John Stuart Mill thought that political

participation was highly desirable because it fostered in those

involved intellectual development, moral virtue, and practical understanding.

Politics is undertaken by those with the time, interest and

energy to devote to politics. The problem with direct or participatory

democracy is the same as that expressed by Oscar Wilde on socialism: it

takes up too many evenings. However ordinary voters can take advantage

of the debate amongst the politically conscious when they wish and

when exercising their vote. The value of political education was extolled

by Thomas Jefferson, US President and author of the Declaration of

Independence. “I know no safer depository of the ultimate powers of

society, but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened

enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy

is not to take it away from them, but to inform their discretion by

education.”

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Reason, not passion

The Greek skepticism towards democracy was partly based on the

fear that the demos, the uneducated masses, were the least qualified

to take decisions. The masses would be driven by passions, emotions

and instincts, such as envy and anger, rather than reason and thoughtful

deliberation. Representative democracy is designed to ensure that, before

decisions are taken, the implications and consequences are fully considered.

The public should consider the issues carefully and present their

various opinions. The elected representatives should have the time, the

education and the wisdom to debate and consider laws and decisions

made on behalf of the people. This is why democracy should be representative

and not direct.

This is also why the elected official is a representative and not a delegate,

bound by the opinions of his voters. Edmund Burke expressed this in

his speech to the electors of Bristol. “Your representative owes you not

his industry only, but also his judgment, and he betrays, instead of

serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.” A parliament should not

act as a Congress of Ambassadors representing various interests but “ is

a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the

whole.” Representatives are there to consider the interests of the society

or nation as a whole and not only the interests of those who have elected

him or her.