The Good State

1. Democracy entails equal participation and representation

"Democracy is a political system in which the people appoint a government and instruct it to legislate and administer on their behalf, protecting and enhancing their interests by responsible and informed action."

Equal voice. In a true democracy, every citizen has an equal right to participate in the political process. This goes beyond mere voting to include having one's interests and preferences adequately represented in government. The concept of democracy implies that all adults, except those too young to understand the issues, should be enfranchised.

Inclusive representation. A key principle of democracy is that government should reflect the diversity of interests and preferences among the electorate. This means moving beyond simple majoritarianism to ensure that minority voices are also heard and considered. Proportional representation systems are better suited to achieve this goal than first-past-the-post systems, which often result in governments elected by a minority of voters.

Core democratic principles:

• Universal adult suffrage
• Free and fair elections
• Protection of minority rights
• Transparency in government

2. Government's purpose is to serve all citizens, not factions

"Democratic government is for all the people, not for a group, class, interest, or faction consisting only of some of the people and acting primarily in their interests."

Inclusive governance. The fundamental purpose of democratic government is to serve the interests of all citizens, not just those of a particular group or faction. This means that government policy should aim to benefit society as a whole, rather than favoring specific interests at the expense of others.

Transcending politics. To truly serve all citizens, government must rise above partisan politics. While political debate is essential in the process of forming government and deciding on policies, once in power, the government's duty is to act in the broader public interest. This may require compromise and cooperation across party lines, rather than pursuing narrow ideological agendas.

Key responsibilities of democratic government:

• Ensuring equal treatment under the law
• Providing public goods and services
• Protecting individual rights and liberties
• Promoting social and economic well-being for all

3. Separation of powers is crucial for democratic governance

"When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty."

Checks and balances. The separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government is essential for preventing the concentration and abuse of power. Each branch should have distinct functions and the ability to check the actions of the others.

Institutional independence. In many Westminster-style parliamentary systems, the executive is drawn from and controls the legislature, undermining true separation of powers. A more robust democracy requires greater institutional independence, with the executive and legislature housed in separate institutions and the judiciary protected from political interference.

Benefits of separated powers:

• Prevents tyranny of the majority
• Encourages deliberation and compromise
• Protects individual rights from government overreach
• Promotes accountability and transparency

4. Proportional representation better reflects voter preferences

"A central claim in the foregoing is that a proportionately representational electoral system – one that adequately reflects the diversity of preferences and interests among the enfranchised – is an essential component of democracy."

Fair representation. Proportional representation systems aim to allocate seats in the legislature in proportion to the votes received by different parties or candidates. This ensures that a wider range of political views are represented in government, better reflecting the diversity of voter preferences.

Coalition building. Proportional systems often result in coalition governments, which can lead to more compromise and moderation in policy-making. This contrasts with winner-take-all systems that tend to produce two-party dominance and more extreme policy swings.

Advantages of proportional representation:

• Reduces wasted votes
• Encourages higher voter turnout
• Promotes political diversity
• Facilitates representation of minority viewpoints

5. Money and media manipulation undermine democratic processes

"Propaganda, spin, undeliverable promises, and outright falsehood have always been the stuff of politics, especially in the run up to elections and referendums. Partisan media of news and opinion have always filled the political debate with polemic, abuse, distortions, and manipulations. But all this has been dangerously weaponized and multiplied by the use of social media as campaigning channels."

Financial influence. The outsized role of money in politics, particularly in campaign financing and lobbying, distorts democratic processes by giving wealthy individuals and corporations disproportionate influence over policy-making.

Media manipulation. The rise of partisan media and the proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms have made it increasingly difficult for citizens to access reliable information on which to base their political decisions. This undermines the ability of voters to make informed choices.

Threats to democratic integrity:

• Dark money in politics
• Microtargeting and data manipulation
• Echo chambers and filter bubbles
• Foreign interference in elections

6. Rights in a democracy extend beyond voting to inclusion

"The 'right to participate' in a democracy is not, as has been iterated several times in the foregoing, restricted to the right to vote. It is a right to inclusion; a right, at the very least, to the absence of barriers to participation – but as this is in practice not enough by itself, it entails a right to enablement to participation."

Broad participation. Democratic rights encompass more than just the ability to vote. They include the right to meaningful participation in all aspects of civic and political life, from access to education and healthcare to the ability to influence policy decisions.

Enabling inclusion. True democracy requires not just the absence of formal barriers to participation, but also positive efforts to enable all citizens to fully engage in the democratic process. This may involve measures to address economic inequality, improve access to information, and promote civic education.

Elements of democratic inclusion:

• Universal access to quality education
• Protection of civil liberties and human rights
• Economic opportunities and social mobility
• Robust civil society and free press

7. Constitutional clarity and adaptability are essential

"The purpose of a constitution in a democracy is to lay down the way in which the purposes of democracy itself are to be met."

Clear framework. A well-designed constitution provides a clear and consistent framework for democratic governance. It should specify the structure of government, the extent of its powers, and the rights of citizens in unambiguous terms.

Adaptability. While providing stability, a constitution must also be adaptable to changing circumstances. It should include mechanisms for amendment that are neither too rigid nor too easy, striking a balance between continuity and necessary change.

Key elements of a democratic constitution:

• Clear separation of powers
• Protection of fundamental rights
• Transparent amendment processes
• Independent judiciary

8. Political careerism and party discipline subvert democracy

"Careerism – another factor – and organized factionalism in the form of systems of party discipline – a third factor – which makes MPs and Congressmen representatives not of the people but of a party line."

Misaligned incentives. When politicians prioritize their careers and party loyalty over the public interest, it undermines the representative nature of democracy. Party discipline, while potentially useful for governance, can lead to representatives ignoring the wishes of their constituents.

Reform possibilities. Possible reforms to address these issues include term limits, restrictions on post-political careers, and reforms to party structures to increase internal democracy and reduce the power of party whips.

Consequences of political careerism:

• Short-term thinking and policy-making
• Neglect of constituent interests
• Increased polarization and partisanship
• Erosion of public trust in institutions

9. Citizen engagement and deliberation strengthen democracy

"Citizens' assemblies, and – for decisions about major change – constitutional conventions, figure among the major suggestions put forward for such activity."

Active citizenship. Democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged in political processes beyond just voting. This can include participation in local government, civil society organizations, and deliberative forums.

Deliberative democracy. Tools like citizens' assemblies and deliberative polling can enhance democratic decision-making by allowing for more informed and thoughtful consideration of complex issues. These approaches can complement representative institutions and help bridge the gap between citizens and government.

Forms of citizen engagement:

• Participatory budgeting
• Public consultations and town halls
• Online platforms for civic participation
• Community organizing and activism

Last updated: October 5, 2024