Introduction to Democracy and Human Rights
Overview
The discussion begins with the fundamental concept of democracy and its intrinsic relation to human rights, which are seen as universal entitlements applicable to every person simply by virtue of being human, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, or geographic location.
The Right to Live in a Democracy
Fundamental Question
One essential question posed is whether there exists a human right to live in a democracy. To navigate this question, it's necessary to establish a clear definition of democratic governance.
Defining Democratic Government
A democratic government can be defined as a political system that is accountable to its citizens. It typically engages in periodic, free, and fair elections, allowing the populace to change its government through voting without coercion or manipulation.
Democracy's Role in Protecting Human Rights
Democracy is posited as the most favorable mechanism for safeguarding human rights. It helps ensure rights such as freedom from arbitrary murder, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. In non-democratic regimes, citizens often have significantly diminished power and fewer avenues to confront and rectify human rights violations, leading to widespread abuses and instabilities.
Moral Rights vs. Legal Rights
Distinguishing Between Rights
A critical distinction must be made between moral rights and legal rights:
Moral Rights: These are universal entitlements that apply to all individuals based on their humanity.
Legal Rights: These are established by legislative frameworks and serve to protect moral rights; for instance, the legal framework that guarantees freedom of association and the right to travel safeguards the moral right of freedom of assembly.
Example
In the United Kingdom, legal rights such as freedom of travel are enshrined in law, effectively safeguarding the moral right of citizens to assemble freely.
Democracy as a Moral Right
Proposal for Consideration
The proposal arises: Can democracy be qualified as a moral right in itself?
Arguments Supporting Democracy as a Moral Right
The argument supporting this claim emphasizes that democracy embodies moral equality. It allows for equal representation of all citizens within governance structures. In contrast, non-democratic societies often suffer from a distribution of power that is fundamentally unequal, often based on arbitrary characteristics such as race, religion, or wealth. Jeremy Bentham's principle poses that "Each to count for one and none for more than one," underscoring the concept of equal moral worth among all individuals.
Implications of Democracy as a Human Right
Connections to Other Freedoms
Implementing democracy necessitates the existence of freedoms such as speech and press. These freedoms are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability from government officials.
Various Forms of Democracy
It is also important to recognize that various forms of democracy exist, as exemplified by the differences in the US and UK electoral systems, which raise critical questions about representation, the effectiveness of voting rights, and who is entitled to participate in the democratic process.
Enforcement of Democracy as a Human Right
Critical Consideration
An important and profound question remains: If democracy is regarded as a human right, what measures should be undertaken to enforce it effectively and fairly in diverse sociopolitical contexts? This invites the audience to reflect on the moral imperative of democracy itself and explore ways in which individuals and societies can engage with this pressing issue, whether through civic engagement, dialogue, or advocacy.
