Basic Principles of Democracy

From the early 1840s to the present day, a democracy can be described as a flawed establishment which has been shaped by the power of wealth and control, complex social relations, and most importantly the people’s desire to live a fulfilling life. Throughout this time period the principles of democracy, such as equality, protection of the people’s interest, and promotion of human rights were shifting in order to increase the democracy efficiency. Therefore the continued importance of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and Constitution remain significant since, in American today, democracy is a system that is continuously being shaped by the people within it.

There are five principles of democracy that our government is based off of. The five principles of democracy is Popular Sovereignty, Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism. I think there are principles that are more important than others. These principles are important because they help shape the government.

Former President Thomas Jefferson once said, “Government are instituted among Men, deriving their just Power from the Consent of the Governed.” Since the second continental congress declared America’s independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 the United States government has sought to realize the fundamental principle on which our nation was founded. This was the start of the government we now know and still honor today. As our school children say every morning in class, as our founding fathers wished for us, that all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This paper will answer a handful

In June of 1915, the United States is fighting World War One in Europe, while women, including Anna Howard Shaw, continue to fight for suffrage rights at home. As the war rages on, women commit to their suffrage movements by giving speeches and marching in parades. On June 21, Shaw persuasively speaks to the people of New York at an equal suffrage campaign as they prepare to vote on a law concerning women’s suffrage rights. She intends to give evidence to her listeners and persuade them to support the women of New York and eventually all of the women in America, to vote. Shaw uses “The Fundamental Principles of a Republic” to prove the true purpose of the women 's suffrage movement, expose the illogical arguments of her opposition, and to convince all of her listeners (the male voters of New York) to vote for women’s right to vote through logical and rational arguments.

The United States has an unstable democratic standing. What has happened in the United State shows the US not fully democratic. Issues that the US had been unfair treatment of people who aren’t white, voting rights not being given, and relocation towards a certain race, which has done nothing wrong. People also faced issues that couldn’t be avoided with rights. The United States is not democratic as everyone thinks. Equality and voting rights are something for all and within our amendment. Imprisonment or relocation of a race that has done nothing wrong. Americans also were faced the government for something that many didn’t wish for. The US has to change to be a better place for all.

Democracy is perhaps the most elusive concept of all times. But if there has to be something more elusive, it will surely be the concept of American democracy. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln is known to have written:

The United States has been around for hundreds of years. When the United States was found, there were groups that kind of stuck together and made their own rules. Later down the road, these “groups” formed into larger groups and led themselves. They were known as colonists. They came to the U.S. in search of freedom and sure enough, they got it. Then they became known as citizens because they were already residents.

There are three contemporary factors that continue to deprive the core principles of our democracy. The elections seem to be more about “winning the game” than the actual issues and ideals. Each factor plays a major influence on how the American politics are run today.

“Of the people, by the people, for the people,” in the words of Abraham Lincoln express how America is instituted on the philosophies of democracy, and has been for numerous years. America is not the oldest country that has acquired a democratic government, but it is the most successful. Although democracy has been effective in not only the United States, but in many other nations throughout the world, some facets of a socialist government could aid America in flourishing the economy. Many Americans disagree with providing healthcare for all citizens, the prosperous being taxed more than the needy, and the expenditures of tuition. The ideal socialist government could resolve these issues as well as others. Also citizens distress at the thought

The four democratic principles I selected are citizen participation, human rights, due process of law, and federalism. I believe human rights and due process of law are vital and essential to democracy because human rights and due process is universal and cannot be taken away from any citizen. When it comes to citizens’ participation, it is vital component to some and not essential to some individuals and it is an individual choice. Some individuals do not want to participate in voting, debating, or have the desire to be knowledgeable in public topics and affairs. Lastly, federalism is not essential to democracy because it is not universal. More democracies are adopting federalism, which will make addressing citizens needs and their interest effectively.

Accurately defined, a democracy is a form of government in which the people decide policy matters directly through town hall meetings or by voting on ballot initiatives and referendums. A republic, however, is a system in which the people choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf. So, when the question is posed “how democratic is the United States” it becomes hard to answer with so many other factors that you must include. For example, having an Electoral College voting system is not democratic due to the fact that not every voice is heard and or counted. Another problem is that when the founders considered various forms of government they were extremely fearful of pure democracy. Everything they read and studied

The five Principles of Democracy help us run our government and country smoothly. Each principle does something different that helps maintain the value of our country. The five Principles of Democracy are Separation of Power, Rule of Law, Checks and Balances, Popular Sovereignty, and Federalism. In this essay, I am going to write about three of the five Principles of Democracy, and how each one is evident in our government today. Popular Sovereignty is power that lies within the people.

America is viewed as the beacon of the world; the shining city on a hill. Multiple factors contribute to this characterization. To many, a key factor to that characterization comes from our liberal form of democracy. In American Difference, the authors highlight six key characteristics of a liberal democracy; representative and limited government, regular and competitive elections, rule of law, multiple channels for political participation, limited state control over the economy, and protection of civil rights and liberties. The United States fits many, if not all, of these characteristics in one way or another.

Virginia was pried on its honest government in the days of Byrd machine. It was describes as museum of democracy where the government reflected nothing according to the will of the public. The basic structure was not equal for urban residents, women, minorities and the Republicans. The power and authority was in the hands of few white men.

Winston Churchill once remarked that “democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried”. In agreement with his statement, this paper will examine the problems of democratic governments using specific examples, and compare it to the failure of fascist governments in Nazi Germany and Italy and communist governments in the Soviet Union and China.