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Before we can even start discussing the ways our democracy can be improved, we must agree on a common sense definition of the term.
Searching how countless thinkers and scholars define the word "democracy", we can't fail to notice that there is no simple, standard definition. Similarly, if we were to ask common people on the street to define democracy, we would get a variety of different answers and we would be no closer to having an exact definition of the term.
However, by putting together all the possible answers and definitions, we can highlight the intrinsic qualities of democracies. A definite series of features stand out, with each one deriving from the previously enumerated ones.
It is, after all, critical to gain a clear understanding of the defining features of a democracy, because it provides a bedrock upon which to build all of that which will be discussed afterwards, a standard that we can use to gauge our democratic achievements.
The word 'democracy' is often the first refuge of the tyrant. We examine the deceptive language and actions of those who cloak authoritarianism in democratic garb, recognizing that the seeds of autocracy can lie within us all.
Democracy begins with the individual. True power resides in the ability of each person to shape their own life and destiny, their right to self-determination. This is the foundation upon which all other levels are built.
Individual liberty thrives within a responsible society. This level explores how we balance personal freedom with our obligations to each other, ensuring that individual rights do not come at the expense of the common good.
Beyond theory, democracy demands effective action. This level examines the vital institutions, laws, and expertise that translate ideals into a functioning and fair society.
After the institutions, the true power rightfully returns to the people. This level examines how citizens can meaningfully shape their government through informed participation, elections, and effective voting methods.
Democracy thrives on truth but withers with disinformation. This level explores the responsibility of all actors, from media institutions to individuals – in ensuring citizens have access to accurate information, crucial for honest public discourse and informed participation.
The promise of democracy falters when wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. We cannot have democracy with a starving population. Instead, we must ensure a dignified livelihood for all. This level explores fair wages, equitable profit sharing, taxes, and the crucial link between economic security and political freedom.
Democracy cannot last without a more peaceful and equitable world. Sustainable democracy demands a global vision. This level explores the responsibility of nations to foster fair, equitable and mutually supportive diplomatic relationships, solving economic colonialism and migration issues, while actively confronting threats from authoritarian regimes.
We started with individual rights, and worked our way up for the collective good of humankind. We now reach the culmination of our exploration of what the essence of democracy is. It finds its truest expression in compassion, mutual help, solidarity and empathy for our shared humanity. Ultimately, democracy is the best social contract enabling the physical, emotional, intellectual, ethical and spiritual development of all human beings.
Democracy is not a destination, but a journey. Complacency is democracy's greatest enemy. Constant vigilance is required to prevent backsliding into authoritarianism. We explore why every democratic nation, regardless of its history, must strive for 'a more perfect union,' constantly evolving to meet the challenges of the present and safeguard the freedoms of the future.
Democracy needs both the visionary soloist and the harmonious choir. While individual brilliance can inspire, democracy thrives on collective action. We examine how the greatest achievements are often the result of teamwork and mutual support, rather than singular accomplishments.
Is democracy a fragile system destined to fail because of the flaws of human nature? Democracy is only as good as the people who wield its power. We ask: what kind of democracy would emerge from a nation of saints versus a nation of 'little devils,' and what does it tell us about our own responsibility?
Freedom is not inherited; it must be taught and cultivated. How can we teach democracy without indoctrination? We confront the ethical challenge of educating young minds in democratic values, respecting freedom of conscience and diverse perspectives, while equipping future generations to build a just society.
Taxes are a "small matter" that shapes the very fabric of our society. Are taxes used as the fuel for democracy or abused to create social injustice? We explore the necessity of taxation, the ethics of different tax systems, and why a fair tax system is vital for a just and equitable society.
Our democracies promise a better future, but what future is possible on a planet in peril? Environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, limited natural resources directly relate to other pressing issues like social injustice, taxation, disinformation, and democracy itself. Environmental stewardship isn't an option—it's fundamental to the survival of our shared future. The time for complacency is over.
From a tool of scientific collaboration to a battleground of misinformation, the internet's journey has been anything but straightforward. Once a beacon of connection, the internet now faces challenges that threaten democracy itself. Our future is intertwined with that of the web. How do we reclaim the original vision of the web for the benefit of all? Can we build a more enlightened digital habitat that strengthens democracy and that really connects us, as a humanity?
0: Dangers — Threats to democracy and social justice in all their forms.
1: Individuals — Individual Rights, Liberties, and personal development.
2: Society — Living peacefully together in society.
3: Institutions — The pillars of democracy
4: Elections — Individuals choosing their leaders and representatives.
5: Information — Access to accurate information is a necessity in a democracy.
6: Living — The need to make a living and provide for one's family.
7: International — The international aspects of democracy and social justice.
8: Humanity — Humanity: compassion, solidarity and mutual help
Addendum A: WIP — A work in progress
Addendum B: Teamwork — Democracy is a job for all of us.
Addendum C: Spirit — The Human Spirit and human development.
Addendum D: Education — Education and building the future.
Addendum E: Taxes — A necessary part of life
Addendum F: Environment — For our generation and future generations.
Addendum G: The Web — Fixing today's Web, building tomorrow's enlightened Web.
List of people — People on Democracy and Social Justice
Lists and topics — An entrance into the rabbit hole...
Although we are only getting started, we aim to progressively extend our coverage of countries around the world.
What if the most powerful way to spread democracy wasn't through force, but through the quiet, yet potent influence of a good example? This article explores the concept of 'Democratic Osmosis,' explaining how the strength and success of our own democracies can inspire positive change globally, just like a drop of ink can spread in water.
Can we truly help those suffering under brutal authoritarian regimes? This article explores the concept of democracy spreading through 'osmosis,' arguing that the most effective way to inspire freedom and justice worldwide is by first building stronger, more resilient democracies at home, thus setting a positive example for the world to follow.
Democracy isn't just about good institutions; it's about good intentions. Explore how 'Duverger Syndrome' and 'Tweed Syndrome'—a corrupt system and its corrupt use—are undermining democracy from both sides.
The Duverger Syndrome is democracies' most critical illness. Both the causes and the fixes are known. Solutions must be applied as a matter of priority.
Tweed Syndrome is the deliberate undermining of democratic institutions and processes through corruption to secure and perpetuate power and profit.
The Duverger Syndrome is democracies' most critical illness. Both the causes and the fixes are known. Solutions must be applied as a matter of priority.
Democratic countries throughout the world all have electorates of millions of voters who seem to neatly fall into two broad camps. Is that natural? Is that healthy?
Negative campaigning and dirty politics. It does not have to be this way!
Why our electoral choice always seems to be limited to two less-than-ideal candidates...
Our electoral system, far from helping us finding consensual candidates with broad appeal, seem to favour divisive politicians coming from the extremes.
Regular upheavals in political and social conditions cause major changes in the two-party system.
The United States has not always had a two-party political system. It started during the 1836 presidential elections.
American politics in the 21st century, and the rise of Trumpism, the MAGA movement, and post-truth politics offer a frightening example of all the symptoms of the Duverger Syndrome combined, pushing American democracy agonizingly close to its breaking point.
The 2000 and 2004 presidential elections in the Republic of China, Taiwan are the best historical illustration of Duverger's Law, and mimic quite closely what occurred almost two centuries earlier in the United States during their 1836 and 1840 elections.
Tweed Syndrome is the deliberate undermining of democratic institutions and processes through corruption to secure and perpetuate power and profit.
Inflated contracts, kickbacks, and a brazen disregard for the law. Dive into the corrupt world of 'Tweedism' and discover how one man nearly broke New York City.
The echoes of 'Boss' Tweed still reverberate today. Like a disease that spreads, Tweed Syndrome is corrupting the very fabric of democracy. From politics to corporations, this endemic plague is a sore on our society.
One of the most critical priority for any democracy is to improve its electoral system and start using a much better voting method.
The Duverger Syndrome is democracies' most critical illness. Both the causes and the fixes are known. Solutions must be applied as a matter of priority.
A good media environment is critical for a healthy and stable democracy.
The quality of our knowledge of public matters is commensurate with the quality of the media that deliver us the information upon which we rely to create our own opinion of what is right and what is wrong, whom to vote for or against, etc.
For good or for evil, openly or covertly, countries routinely influence each other's media landscape. Some countries have adopted legislation to control, regular, curtail or restrict foreign influence.
A strong judiciary is important in any democracy, as it can balance the powers of the executive and of the legislative.
Taxes are a "small matter" that shapes the very fabric of our society. Are taxes used as the fuel for democracy or abused to create social injustice? We explore the necessity of taxation, the ethics of different tax systems, and why a fair tax system is vital for a just and equitable society.
The old ways of taxation are failing us, harming our planet and creating social inequalities by putting the burden on workers. Organic Taxes present a revolutionary solution: a shift from taxing labor to taxing harm, incentivizing sustainability and justice. This innovative and powerful approach aims to create an economy where sustainable practices are rewarded and harmful behaviors are discouraged, for the benefit of all, not just a privileged few.
We all pay them, but what are the hidden costs of taxes on work? The pervasiveness of labor taxes exacerbates social inequality by disproportionately burdening those who work for a living, widening the wealth gap, benefiting only the top 1%, while destroying our environment all at the same time.
Our economy is subsidizing destruction. Unseen costs – externalities – are driving environmental collapse and social injustice. It’s time to denounce these hidden burdens and demand a system that values people and the planet.
Is wealth inequality a problem of distribution, or of flawed systems? Instead of focusing on 'redistribution', we need to address the root causes that allow for the undue accumulation of wealth by a select few.
Markets aren't perfect. They often fail to account for the hidden costs of pollution, resource depletion, and other negative impacts. Pigouvian taxes offer a solution—a way to correct these market failures, making businesses and consumers pay for the true costs of their actions and promoting a more efficient and sustainable economy.
Why are we taxing labor when we should be taxing pollution? Our current system is broken, and "Organic Taxes" challenges the status quo. Discover a bold new approach that seeks to build a more sustainable and equitable future by fundamentally changing how we think about taxes.
Our healthcare systems are drowning under the weight of rising costs and persistent inequalities. What if the way we fund healthcare is as much a part of the problem as the illnesses themselves? The radical shift to 'organic taxes' can pave the way to a more sustainable, equitable, and healthy society.
Beyond wages: It's time for a true fair share. This section explores the fundamental principles of economic justice, and how to ensure that workers receive the compensation they deserve, moving beyond basic salaries and focusing on an equitable distribution of the profits generated by our collective effort.
Labour is not the sole source of value, but it's an essential component. Explore the role of human effort, skill, and creativity in transforming raw materials and ideas into valuable goods and services.
Is capital just money, or something more? Tools, technology, and even the very concept of wealth are all linked to the human effort that creates them, and how this understanding is vital for a truly "Fair Share" economy.
Ignorance isn't bliss, it's a weapon. The dangerous rise of incompetent leaders is a global crisis threatening our very society. How did ignorance become a path to power, fueling disinformation, eroding trust, and undermining democratic values? Are we on the path to self-destruction?
Democracies, with their commitment to freedom and openness, are also vulnerable. Authoritarian regimes are strategically exploiting our inherent weaknesses – from polarization and disinformation to electoral vulnerabilities – to undermine our systems and consolidate their own power. It's not enough to simply defend our values; we must also address the flaws that our opponents are eager to exploit.
The Duverger Syndrome, born from single-winner plurality voting systems, creates a political landscape that is easily exploited by authoritarian regimes. The inherent flaws of this system – divisive dualism, negative campaigning, and political instability – become weapons in the hands of those who seek to undermine democracy.
Authoritarian regimes cross borders and repress refugees living in democratic countries.