This post is a summary of four articles. The first was punlished at http://www.ipu.org/idd/2016-democracy-2030.htm. The second was published at http://www.idea.int/news-media/news/political-inclusion-vital-sustainable-democracy. The third was published at https://www.thindifference.com/2013/07/democracy-5-ways-you-can-make-it-more-meaningful/. The fourth was published at http://listcrux.co/10-reasons-for-the-success-of-democracy/
"Democracy 2030" is an invitation to all parliaments to interrogate the present, to learn from the past and to prepare the future of democracy. Key questions include: 1) How will the institutions of democracy - parliament, political parties, elections - change between now and 2030? 2) Will the existing political processes be sufficient to enable young people to express their aspirations, or do new processes need to be invented? 3) What new forms of collaborative, participative decision-making will emerge in the digital era? 4) How will parliaments connect the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the concerns and hopes of their citizens? In some ways, 2030 is very near, only around three electoral cycles' away in most countries. Arguably, politics in 2030 might still look very familiar to today, with familiar processes of elections, political parties and parliaments. in other ways, it is a distant horizon. Many unforeseen events have take place since 2000. No-one can predict what political events will happen in coming years, what technological innovations will take place, nor how these new tools will be used by citizens. Since 2000, information has become more widely accessible than ever before, reinforcing the demand for transparency and accountability. A generation of "digital natives" have grown up using social networks to connect and mobilize with their peers locally, nationally and across borders. New political movements have emerged to challenge the way politics is done and have acceded to positions of power in some countries. The percentage of women in parliament has increased. These factors and many more combine to make this a time of challenge and opportunity for democracy. Political parties, parliaments and other institutions are called upon to adapt to changes in society, to renew political processes, to create space in politics for younger generations and make use of their energy. The aspirations for a fairer world that are set out in the 2030 Agenda will only be met if there is more democracy, not less. Political leaders everywhere need to make the connection between the internationally-agreed development goals and the demands from their citizens, including for greater transparency and accountability as well as more participative and inclusive decision-making processes.
Political inclusion is vital to sustainable democracy. No voice should be left unheard. No one should be left behind. No one should be subject to any form of exclusionary rhetoric. For democracy to be sustainable, International IDEA believes that democracy should allow each and every citizen to participate in political processes. Democracy is dependent on the participation and representtion of all citizens in democratic institutions and processes. These institutions and processes include election management bodies and elections, constitutional bodies, political parties and parliaments. Underpinning all this is political inclusion. This is the idea that every citizen, regardless of class, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, group, culture and ethnic or religious background, should have an equal right and opportunity to engage with and contribute to the functioning of these institutions and processes. Working to achieve political inclusion is fraught with challenges. Foremost amongst these is the increasing difficulty by which the needs and aspirations of citizens can connect with accountable and representative political institutions. Democratic institutions and processes are often mistrusted. Some citizens, meanwhile, are not interested in voting or joining in a political party. This is because they see no difference with who is in power. They think their voices will not matter or have an influence on how political institutions will act. Secondly, inequality of opportunity persist worldwide. Not all citizens in society are represented in policy discussions and many feel marginalized. Democracy can not truly deliver for all of its citizens if the population remains excluded from the political arena. While advocating for political inclusion for sustainable democracy is not easy, there are ways by which we as citizens can do our part. This can begin by just being aware of the challenges, This then allows you to give space for all voices to be heard and included in your day-to-day activities. Every action counts.
Democracy carries a personal responsibility. Just as quickly as the words are read, they evaporate. Fingers are pointed at others, and they speak loudly, "the responsibility lies over there, not with me." Even louder, we may hear the echo of Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country." If everyone is offered an equal chance, then there is a duty to embrace the actions of democracy, opening up equal opportunity for others as well as delivering the best government possible to preserve our right, our purpose. There are great principles in providing equal chance. Principles of freedom are at the core. In freedom, meaning grows. Freedom offers discovery, pursuit, betterment, and much more. In freedom, responsibility joins. Freedom requires attention. It needs care and feeling, and this responsibility belongs to us, the voters and citizens. Untouched democracy and freedom will fade in the sun of inactivity and inattention. There is great personal meaning in democracy, and it is under our care to advance it, protect it, and embrace it. No one said democracy is easy. It takes effort. We need to understand the necessity of each along with the responsibility. Standing up for others and our beliefs takes as much courage as being open to listening and understanding a new perspective. Compromise is difficult yet necessary at times to get unstuck. Democracy takes all generations. For younger generations, history needs to be learned and understood in order to gain the context of why our participation is necessary. It can also include internship to gain a closer look and prepare ourselves to grab the baton forward. Youth is not an excuse to shed responsibility, just as seniority is not a reason to squander it. Planning and managing in a fiscally responsible way is vital and challenging. Tough trade-offs require a steeliness of purpose. It requires a dutiful spirit of responsibility and hard choices and work. In all that we do, we need to show an attitude of kindness. In all our interactions, we need to embrace civility and empathy. Democracy is too important to waste away in petty arguments. To engage, we must connect, understand, and work in a spirit of respect. For us who are in a democracy, great meaning is possible. It is our responsibility. Duty is a call for every citizen, After all, equal chance carries equal responsibility. We must grasp our role to further the meaning of democracy. It is the purpose to convert our responsibility into actions. It is what good citizens do. It is what good leaders do.
One of the frequently debated issues in the present day world politics is regarding the most stable form of government, given the fact that there are a phetora of different forms of government , a mutual consensus is hard to arrive to. But a democratic form of government which states by whom, how and in what way a society will be governed is the most popular form of the government. Democracy like other forms of governments does have some drawbacks but the success of this form of government is hard to ignore. So now we take a look at top ten reasons that make democracy a robust and successful form of government. 10) Represent the people: a democratic government is said to be for the people and by people. In a democracy the voter is the supreme monarch who is free to choose who represents him and his voice at the biggest level, and the elected representatives lend a voice to the grievances of these people. 9) Better governance: Democracy is all about having checks at each stage by the parliament, the people themselves, the media and not to forget the ever ready opposition waiting for a chance to blow fire. 8) Respect and promotes human rights: If there is one thing that puts a democracy above all the other forms of government then it must surely be the unique feature of a democracy where in all its citizens are entitled for the basic rights right from their birth and these rights are respected by the government and protected under the law. 7) Freedom of speech and press: A unique feature of democracy which it boasts of is the "freedom of speech" that is provides as a birthright to all its citizens, freedom of speech is the core of any democracy. Any individual can speak what he seems is right and can even question and criticize the government in particular without any fear. Without freedom of speech democracy can not be conceived. 6) Social equality and diversity: In a democracy there is not discrimination and everyone is equal before the law irrespective of his caste, creed, gender, color, religion, or ethnicity. A democracy provides equal opportunities to all its citizens and everyone is free to follow his own choice. 5) Accountability: Agreed that a democracy if by the people and for the people and the common man elects his representative is accountable to the common man who had voted for him and who is the prime reason why he sits in the highest office. 4) Open public debate on major decisions: doing debates puts forward lots of views, information, arguments and counter arguments which are all discussed weighed upon and a consensus is drawn. By this the risk to power abuse will touch a nadir and there will be an increase in transparency and more peoples participation. 3) Hope for a change: With a democracy is always a ray of hope for change, consider an elected representative is not working up to the expectations or is not keeping the promises he made before the election, it is not a big thing to worry about as come next elections he can be easily uprooted by voting for a better candidate. 2) A written constitution: A document having a set of rules about how a country must be run and its citizens protected. A written constitution grants and safequards the birthrights of all people and keeps the principles of democracy alive by protecting them. 1) Democratic states help build a more democratic world: A democratic world is, in its essence a better place to live nothing short of a utopian dream. So this is a classic reason why democracy is a success.
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