New Book (June 2024): What Love Does (click for information)
Book Talks by Steve Zolno (click for videos)
A Blueprint for Democracy
The following is our Blueprint for Democracy — how democracy can best be implemented in our country and world.
Part I — Introduction
Part II — Overcoming Polarization
Part III — Leadership in Democracies
Part IV — Economics and Democracy
Part V — Truth and Democracy
Part I — Introduction
The most significant principle underlying democracy is summarized by the first three words of the US Constitution: “We the People.”
Democracy — the Greek term for government by the people — is an ideal toward which many governments aspire, as stated in their constitutions. This means that, in a democracy, the people are sovereign; all of the people. This is easy to state but difficult to implement. First the Greeks, and since then, all countries that consider themselves democratic have been challenged to make this a viable concept.
Why is Democracy Important?
Throughout history — and even into prehistory — people sought freedom and recognition for themselves as unique individuals. At some point our earliest ancestors recognized themselves as individuals who were capable of contributing to their society. As societies enlarged most people no longer were able to participate in major decisions that affected their lives. Restoring the dignity of every human being is the ultimate goal for those who believe in democracy.
After the creation of the US Constitution in 1787, over 100 countries wrote constitutions promising democratic government to their people. Many countries have succeeded to a great extent, but all still fall short of their promise to provide equal treatment for those they govern.
Is Democracy Succeeding?
In our day, some countries are moving closer to fulfilling the democratic principles of their constitutions while some are moving further from this ideal. Others are continually in flux.
How Do We Make Democracy a Success?
The essential nature of democracy is recognition of the desire of every human being for dignity and freedom. We cannot provide this for some unless we commit ourselves to creating a system that acknowledges the validity of everyone — this is the great insight of the authors of the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution and those who inspired them. For democracy to work, this commitment must be brought into every part of each society that considers itself democratic. The same democratic principles also can be brought into our organizations, schools, and families. This can be done despite our many human imperfections.
We move closer to a democratic society when we support each other in creating a world in which people are recognized and appreciated for their uniqueness and their potential. This process begins by having a conversation with others about our most essential democratic goals. It continues with a plan for specific ways to implement these goals. It becomes realized when we enact our plan by following up on the commitments we have made. This process brings out the best in every individual — and contributes to a thriving democracy — as we work together toward creating the society and world in which we want to live.
Democracy — the Greek term for government by the people — is an ideal toward which many governments aspire, as stated in their constitutions. This means that, in a democracy, the people are sovereign; all of the people. This is easy to state but difficult to implement. First the Greeks, and since then, all countries that consider themselves democratic have been challenged to make this a viable concept.
Why is Democracy Important?
Throughout history — and even into prehistory — people sought freedom and recognition for themselves as unique individuals. At some point our earliest ancestors recognized themselves as individuals who were capable of contributing to their society. As societies enlarged most people no longer were able to participate in major decisions that affected their lives. Restoring the dignity of every human being is the ultimate goal for those who believe in democracy.
After the creation of the US Constitution in 1787, over 100 countries wrote constitutions promising democratic government to their people. Many countries have succeeded to a great extent, but all still fall short of their promise to provide equal treatment for those they govern.
Is Democracy Succeeding?
In our day, some countries are moving closer to fulfilling the democratic principles of their constitutions while some are moving further from this ideal. Others are continually in flux.
How Do We Make Democracy a Success?
The essential nature of democracy is recognition of the desire of every human being for dignity and freedom. We cannot provide this for some unless we commit ourselves to creating a system that acknowledges the validity of everyone — this is the great insight of the authors of the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution and those who inspired them. For democracy to work, this commitment must be brought into every part of each society that considers itself democratic. The same democratic principles also can be brought into our organizations, schools, and families. This can be done despite our many human imperfections.
We move closer to a democratic society when we support each other in creating a world in which people are recognized and appreciated for their uniqueness and their potential. This process begins by having a conversation with others about our most essential democratic goals. It continues with a plan for specific ways to implement these goals. It becomes realized when we enact our plan by following up on the commitments we have made. This process brings out the best in every individual — and contributes to a thriving democracy — as we work together toward creating the society and world in which we want to live.
Part II — Overcoming Polarization
We live in a country and world that is becoming more polarized.
Those at the extremes of the political divide are moving further apart as they increase their attacks on each other. The gap between the wealthiest and the rest of society is growing in the US and around the world. There seems to be no common path upon which people can agree that will allow us to move forward.
Yet in those countries that aspire to democracy there is a core of common principles. The word democracy comes from the ancient Greek term meaning “government by the people.” In the constitutions of modern democracies, the ultimate authority is We the People. For over 2400 years, the key issue has been whether the People means only a segment of society — the wealthy, males, favored races or religions — or it includes everyone.
Societies throughout history have had individuals who were considered elite. Ancient China had its emperors, Europe had its kings and queens, and the modern world has the wealthiest individuals who dominate public policy.
Solutions to our issues to move us forward that best serve the People as a whole rarely are discussed. Many of us place our trust in political parties and leaders rather than the principles of democracy. We then are disappointed by the results.
If we look back to times when democratic principles worked best we can see that in those periods — such as during World War II and its aftermath — an emphasis on cooperation toward actions that serve all of us, rather than competition among us, led to results that changed the course of civilization. This often happened when we were united by a common enemy. What made democracy work then — and what can make democracy work now and in the future — is a common vision among those at all levels of society. We need an emphasis on inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness, on the rule of law rather than on rules that favor the few, on the public good rather than on that which benefits only the most powerful.
When we emphasize a common purpose — based on respect for every individual — we create a country with an infrastructure that benefits society as a whole; one that includes public works such as roads and railroads that everyone shares, public schools that teach democratic principles, a medical system that benefits everyone, and a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens.
Such a system is neither capitalist nor socialist. It simply is the type of society that works best for everyone.
And how do we bring about such a society? By insisting that our public officials work toward the common good. By emphasizing the principles of fair play and inclusiveness that positively affect those at all levels. By having conversations about what unites us and how to pursue our common interests rather than that which divides us. By educating each potential voter to understand that actions that connect us — rather than divide us — are more likely to result in a country and world that brings greater security for all members of society.
Instead of committing ourselves to a person or party — since all have weaknesses as well as strengths — we can move closer to the country and world we seek by supporting the key principle that underlies a democratic society: actions that serve the interests of all individuals. We must expect our leaders — and those who would be our leaders — to work toward implementing this principle. If our political parties and leaders continue to fail to work toward that vision then new leaders — and possibly political parties — are needed to move us toward the country and world in which we want to live.
Those at the extremes of the political divide are moving further apart as they increase their attacks on each other. The gap between the wealthiest and the rest of society is growing in the US and around the world. There seems to be no common path upon which people can agree that will allow us to move forward.
Yet in those countries that aspire to democracy there is a core of common principles. The word democracy comes from the ancient Greek term meaning “government by the people.” In the constitutions of modern democracies, the ultimate authority is We the People. For over 2400 years, the key issue has been whether the People means only a segment of society — the wealthy, males, favored races or religions — or it includes everyone.
Societies throughout history have had individuals who were considered elite. Ancient China had its emperors, Europe had its kings and queens, and the modern world has the wealthiest individuals who dominate public policy.
Solutions to our issues to move us forward that best serve the People as a whole rarely are discussed. Many of us place our trust in political parties and leaders rather than the principles of democracy. We then are disappointed by the results.
If we look back to times when democratic principles worked best we can see that in those periods — such as during World War II and its aftermath — an emphasis on cooperation toward actions that serve all of us, rather than competition among us, led to results that changed the course of civilization. This often happened when we were united by a common enemy. What made democracy work then — and what can make democracy work now and in the future — is a common vision among those at all levels of society. We need an emphasis on inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness, on the rule of law rather than on rules that favor the few, on the public good rather than on that which benefits only the most powerful.
When we emphasize a common purpose — based on respect for every individual — we create a country with an infrastructure that benefits society as a whole; one that includes public works such as roads and railroads that everyone shares, public schools that teach democratic principles, a medical system that benefits everyone, and a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens.
Such a system is neither capitalist nor socialist. It simply is the type of society that works best for everyone.
And how do we bring about such a society? By insisting that our public officials work toward the common good. By emphasizing the principles of fair play and inclusiveness that positively affect those at all levels. By having conversations about what unites us and how to pursue our common interests rather than that which divides us. By educating each potential voter to understand that actions that connect us — rather than divide us — are more likely to result in a country and world that brings greater security for all members of society.
Instead of committing ourselves to a person or party — since all have weaknesses as well as strengths — we can move closer to the country and world we seek by supporting the key principle that underlies a democratic society: actions that serve the interests of all individuals. We must expect our leaders — and those who would be our leaders — to work toward implementing this principle. If our political parties and leaders continue to fail to work toward that vision then new leaders — and possibly political parties — are needed to move us toward the country and world in which we want to live.
Part III — Leadership in Democracies
The People are the ultimate authority for democratic governments, but people can act or vote in a way that is not in their best long-term interests. The best democratic leadership evokes a vision that includes the needs of all individuals. Effective leadership strives to clarify these democratic values and then works to forge a path toward implementing them.
In democracies we know that we don’t want an authoritarian regime making the major decisions that affect our society and lives. All revolutions have been founded on this principle. But once the revolution is over, determining the direction in which we want to move becomes more of a challenge.
After the American Revolution it took eleven years under the Articles of Confederation to convince our Founders that they must work together to create a viable model for the future if our democratic principles would survive. After four months of negotiation — and many compromises — a constitution was forged that outlined a way forward based on the sovereignty of We the People. The US Constitution included an amendment process from the beginning that allowed future leaders to reinterpret the principles upon which the country was founded for a continually changing world.
Leadership in democracies requires an ability to work with others on an ongoing basis to renew the democratic vision. True democratic leadership does not depend on one person or even a small group for its continued inspiration. It is based on the recognition of the value of each human being and trust in that vision. Our greatest leaders have had appeal to a broad spectrum of people. Those leaders who most inspire us appeal to the ideals in each of us.
The best leadership skills for democracy require careful and ongoing consideration of what works best to serve the vast majority of individuals, as well as the input of seasoned advisors on how to bring the benefits of democracy into everyday policy. Abraham Lincoln — who formed his cabinet largely from previous rivals — was an example of democratic leadership that brings together a broad range of opinions to make the best possible decisions.
Leadership in democracies only can be effective for maintaining us on our most viable path when the key elements to success are maintained: (1) keeping a focus on the most essential democratic vision, (2) discussing the best ways to maintain that vision, and (3) agreeing on a path that allows all participants to cooperate toward that vision’s implementation.
Firm, yet sensitive guidance is needed by those who would lead us. Viable new ideas always must be respected and incorporated into our path. Great leadership maintains the essential vision of democracy while considering alternative paths toward its fulfillment. Democracy is most viable when incorporating the best contributions that each of us is capable of making.
In democracies we know that we don’t want an authoritarian regime making the major decisions that affect our society and lives. All revolutions have been founded on this principle. But once the revolution is over, determining the direction in which we want to move becomes more of a challenge.
After the American Revolution it took eleven years under the Articles of Confederation to convince our Founders that they must work together to create a viable model for the future if our democratic principles would survive. After four months of negotiation — and many compromises — a constitution was forged that outlined a way forward based on the sovereignty of We the People. The US Constitution included an amendment process from the beginning that allowed future leaders to reinterpret the principles upon which the country was founded for a continually changing world.
Leadership in democracies requires an ability to work with others on an ongoing basis to renew the democratic vision. True democratic leadership does not depend on one person or even a small group for its continued inspiration. It is based on the recognition of the value of each human being and trust in that vision. Our greatest leaders have had appeal to a broad spectrum of people. Those leaders who most inspire us appeal to the ideals in each of us.
The best leadership skills for democracy require careful and ongoing consideration of what works best to serve the vast majority of individuals, as well as the input of seasoned advisors on how to bring the benefits of democracy into everyday policy. Abraham Lincoln — who formed his cabinet largely from previous rivals — was an example of democratic leadership that brings together a broad range of opinions to make the best possible decisions.
Leadership in democracies only can be effective for maintaining us on our most viable path when the key elements to success are maintained: (1) keeping a focus on the most essential democratic vision, (2) discussing the best ways to maintain that vision, and (3) agreeing on a path that allows all participants to cooperate toward that vision’s implementation.
Firm, yet sensitive guidance is needed by those who would lead us. Viable new ideas always must be respected and incorporated into our path. Great leadership maintains the essential vision of democracy while considering alternative paths toward its fulfillment. Democracy is most viable when incorporating the best contributions that each of us is capable of making.
Part IV — Economics and Democracy
Before there was money there was trade. Goods were exchanged between individuals, and then societies, to provide what they did not produce on their own. Trade took place in marketplaces, and then via long-distance commerce, starting in pre-historic times.
The purpose of money always has been to facilitate the flow of goods and services. The earliest known European coins go back to about 600 BCE. But money itself, including gold, has no value other than what people assign to it.
Those who accumulate funds — and then loan to others at a profit — have provided support for businesses since the time of the Roman Republic. The leaders of European nations, including Spain and England, supported the establishment of trade routes to the New World beginning in the 1500s, which led them to greater prosperity while the residents of the New World suffered. In the 1600s the Dutch East India and Hudson Bay Companies provided investment opportunities for individuals. Some gained greater influence, from merchants to those at the level of nobility, as their societies became less egalitarian.
War often has devastated the economies of countries, while peace generally has brought greater prosperity. Much of Europe was laid waste by conflict up until the 1649 Treaty of Westphalia. The first and second world wars severely set back European countries, after which loans and grants from the US Marshall Plan resurrected their economies and allowed them to re-establish thriving trade with other nations.
Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, was the first comprehensive treatise on economics, although that term only came into use a century later. Smith sought to identify the principles that create stable economies and tied the success of what we now call capitalism to free markets. But he also was concerned about the growing inequality brought on by the Industrial Revolution and considered it the responsibility of the sovereign to be "protecting, as far as possible, every member of society from the oppression of every other member...”
History shows that the greater the disparity of wealth, the more likely it is that there will be downturns that negatively affect people at all economic levels. This happened in ancient Greece, which led to the establishment of democracy. The American Revolution was largely a revolt against economic oppression. In modern times, there was a growing economic gap in Western nations both before the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Great Recession that began in 2008.
The essential lesson of economics — and democracy — is that equal opportunity for all moves us toward greater stability and prosperity. The results of elections often are determined on whether voters believe that their economic interests are being addressed by those who run for office.
Trade agreements between countries can lead to greater general prosperity, but allow companies to seek cheaper labor abroad while abandoning workers at home. NAFTA, for example, promotes a greater flow of goods between the US, Canada, and Mexico, but results in lower wages in the US due to competition with cheaper labor. Rather than abandoning trade agreements, they can be rewritten to guarantee better working conditions for laborers as well as reduced trade barriers that benefit companies.
Economies — and democracies — that work for all must establish greater opportunities for those who believe that their interests have been abandoned. This includes education and training that enables individuals to benefit from growing economies. As Henry Ford taught us, a living wage results in people stimulating the economy through their purchases, and this ultimately benefits everyone. Stable societies only can exist under an economic — and democratic — framework that works for all.
The purpose of money always has been to facilitate the flow of goods and services. The earliest known European coins go back to about 600 BCE. But money itself, including gold, has no value other than what people assign to it.
Those who accumulate funds — and then loan to others at a profit — have provided support for businesses since the time of the Roman Republic. The leaders of European nations, including Spain and England, supported the establishment of trade routes to the New World beginning in the 1500s, which led them to greater prosperity while the residents of the New World suffered. In the 1600s the Dutch East India and Hudson Bay Companies provided investment opportunities for individuals. Some gained greater influence, from merchants to those at the level of nobility, as their societies became less egalitarian.
War often has devastated the economies of countries, while peace generally has brought greater prosperity. Much of Europe was laid waste by conflict up until the 1649 Treaty of Westphalia. The first and second world wars severely set back European countries, after which loans and grants from the US Marshall Plan resurrected their economies and allowed them to re-establish thriving trade with other nations.
Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, was the first comprehensive treatise on economics, although that term only came into use a century later. Smith sought to identify the principles that create stable economies and tied the success of what we now call capitalism to free markets. But he also was concerned about the growing inequality brought on by the Industrial Revolution and considered it the responsibility of the sovereign to be "protecting, as far as possible, every member of society from the oppression of every other member...”
History shows that the greater the disparity of wealth, the more likely it is that there will be downturns that negatively affect people at all economic levels. This happened in ancient Greece, which led to the establishment of democracy. The American Revolution was largely a revolt against economic oppression. In modern times, there was a growing economic gap in Western nations both before the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Great Recession that began in 2008.
The essential lesson of economics — and democracy — is that equal opportunity for all moves us toward greater stability and prosperity. The results of elections often are determined on whether voters believe that their economic interests are being addressed by those who run for office.
Trade agreements between countries can lead to greater general prosperity, but allow companies to seek cheaper labor abroad while abandoning workers at home. NAFTA, for example, promotes a greater flow of goods between the US, Canada, and Mexico, but results in lower wages in the US due to competition with cheaper labor. Rather than abandoning trade agreements, they can be rewritten to guarantee better working conditions for laborers as well as reduced trade barriers that benefit companies.
Economies — and democracies — that work for all must establish greater opportunities for those who believe that their interests have been abandoned. This includes education and training that enables individuals to benefit from growing economies. As Henry Ford taught us, a living wage results in people stimulating the economy through their purchases, and this ultimately benefits everyone. Stable societies only can exist under an economic — and democratic — framework that works for all.
Part V — Truth and Democracy
Excerpt from Steve’s book, Truth and Democracy: Truth as a Guide to Personal and Political Action in an Age of Polarization
Democracy is a basic part of human nature. Each of us thrives on recognition and meaningful participation in our community and world.
Our most ancient ancestors participated in group decision making within their families and small tribes. Their ability to communicate and work together to meet challenges was what ensured their long-term success. This skill has remained an essential part of who we are.
As tribes, states, and nations grew in size, authority became more central, with individuals being subservient to their leaders. But the democratic impulse was revived in ancient Greece, which is where the term democracy, meaning “government by the people,” comes from. The Greeks were proud that their direct democracy, in which all citizens participated, was a radical departure from the past and the world that surrounded them.
In England, challenge to absolute rule began with the Magna Carta after a group of nobles confronted King John in 1215. Although not called democracy at the time, a gradually greater recognition of human rights continued there — with uneven progress — for hundreds of years.
The dawn of modern democracy began when thirteen American colonies, inspired by the Enlightenment writers of their time, used the British democratic tradition to challenge the mother country and rebelled. The American Revolution was fought to overcome what the colonists considered tyranny thrust on them by England. Independence was the beginning of an opportunity for Americans to clarify how to further implement the freedom they won. Many countries have tried democracy since then. Yet how to preserve democracy rarely is taught or discussed. Few Americans have a clear idea of what they can do to make their democracy work.
Modern democracy is based on one fundamental truth: the equality of every human being and the idea that no one is better than anyone else, as stated by Lincoln: “The proposition that all (men) are created equal.” Yet this principle remains largely unfulfilled in both the world’s democratic and non-democratic nations. We choose every day whether to make it a living reality in both our personal and political lives. When we fail, it is because we don’t think about what democracy looks like and how best to implement it, nor do we discuss this most important topic with others. For government “by the people” to succeed, those who live under it must maintain a clear vision of what it is and how to maintain it.
Since the American Revolution, the thrust toward greater equality in the world has continued to move forward, with some major steps backward, as the meaning of equality slowly has become more clear. In the 18th and 19th centuries, slavery was seen as acceptable in parts of the United States and other countries. Through most of the 20th century, segregation of black and white races was considered normal in the US and much of Africa. For the first 120 years of the American republic — and even longer in many countries — women were seen as not capable of deciding for whom to vote. And in our day there still are many countries and people who do not believe in that vision of equality, and hold the view that some people are inferior to others. Thus the reality of ensuring greater equality has moved forward in some countries, and stagnated in others.
For most its history, the United States surpassed other nations in providing opportunities for most of its residents because of the original ideas of its founders. But the practice of encouraging original thinking has faltered. The US Constitution holds that We the People are the authority for government, which was a radical idea for its time. But without a shared vision of how to implement this principle people are not likely to have a clear idea of how to maintain it.
The main premise of democracy is that people can think for themselves and together come to the conclusions — followed by actions — that are needed to best preserve their form of government. But many people let others think for them. If we want democracy to survive, we must do more than just talk and write about its importance. We must make it a lived reality by actively identifying our most essential goals in our communities and nations and then continually working toward them. This includes continually finding new ways to implement the promise of equality, which ultimately benefits everyone. By doing this we develop new respect for each other and find that we have more in common than we have divisions between us.
Part of human nature is to rest on our achievements. This is especially true of those under democracy. When we rely solely on others to tell us what is true, rather than developing our own understanding, we are in danger of losing our ability to maintain democracy. Once we allow our leaders — or anyone — to tell us how or what to think, the pattern is set. We find established routines easier to follow than developing new ideas to fit our times. Instead of innovating we rely on what we already consider true. The simpler the idea, the more seductive. We often let new information seep in only slowly, if at all, and fail to integrate it into our world view.
Guarding democracy is the responsibility of all those in nations who believe in it. If We the People are to truly be its guardians we must consider the views presented by many sources before we decide on which vision represents the best way forward. Then we can work together toward that vision. Yet each step only can be a temporary resting place, subject to further information and observation.
Some people view conservatism as sticking to established traditions, regardless of whether these traditions have application to an evolving world. But real conservatism, at least in democracy, is applying the basic founding principle of equality to the present. Real liberalism, on the other hand, is not just sticking to a position on the left of the political spectrum, but opening oneself to all approaches as to what may make the world work for all.
We are tribal by nature. We all want a group that we can belong to and support — a family, country, sports team, academic group, religion, or any other organization where we feel welcome. But our tribalism becomes destructive when we believe that only our group and its members are valid human beings; when we divide the world between “us” and “them.” When we see people in absolute terms we become polarized in our idea of who is good and who is bad. We then see those with different views from us as uninformed at best or evil at worst. We emphasize defeating them rather than cooperation toward common goals. We create distance between ourselves and others and believe we are about to be attacked. Then we may attack simply because we see “the other” as a threat.
Because we tend to create a black and white world in our minds we often see doom after setbacks. We think of a relatively benign occurrence as an obstacle. We cast a minor failure as likely to ruin us. We blame others rather than relying on creativity and cooperation to move past our challenges. But the truth is never as simple as our concepts. In most situations, if we choose, we can identify and move with others toward our goals rather than blaming them for our failures.
If I think that my idea of what is true is superior to yours, or you think that your idea is better than mine, we already are on the wrong path. Truth doesn’t take sides. Recognizing this brings us to a place of humility where we can see that our frames of reference limit our vision and our progress. We then can together identify and discover the way forward based on respectful dialogue.
When we acknowledge our limits as human beings the most crucial element of democracy — collaborating with others to create and work toward common goals — can take place. That is when we begin to see that we all have something to contribute. We cannot wait for the person on the other side to acknowledge our common interests, so the burden rests with us. We can ask simple questions: “How do you think we can move forward,” or “How do you think we can solve this problem?” or “What is your idea for how to make things work?” As we do this we bring respect to our interaction and begin to gain freedom from the preconceptions that keep us from seeing each other as truly human. When we restore humanity to others in our minds we do the same to ourselves.
A consequence of our polarization is that we remain unfree, shackled by the chain of our preconceptions that keep us from seeing people and the world without jaundiced eyes. Assumptions that we project on others keep us from the promise of democracy. When aware that our beliefs are only ideas, and not necessarily truth, we become less rigid. We see that we are not our thoughts, and become free to alter them to suit the changing world before us.
We all are driven by our fears and hopes. Our view of the state of our relationships, families, jobs, and nations propel what we do. Our fears can make a small threat very large in our minds.
Our perceptions are based not on reality but on how we perceive reality. When we allow ourselves to feed our emotions and fears, often based on the slightest of evidence, and make decisions based on them, we easily can betray our highest values. But we also can think twice before automatically reacting in a way that may make our situation worse rather than better.
Democracy is not a gift that we can accept and place on a shelf. It is a way of life that we must assert and re-earn every day by honoring the truth of human equality in our personal, professional, and political lives. If not maintained by eternal vigilance it will slip away and leave us wondering what we should have done to preserve it. For those who believe in democracy, we must continually reassert our belief in it by making it a way of life. Only then we are likely to keep it.
We never can truly be independent in our democratic nations if we fail to develop our ability to bring democracy’s central vision of equality into our lives and government. When we allow others to think for us, we enable them to determine how we act as we put aside our own best interests. Ideas from others or the past must be examined critically to determine if they really reflect truth or meet our needs. In undemocratic governments people have their thinking done for them. The ultimate consequence of letting others do our thinking is the demise of democracy.
To maintain democracy it takes a populace willing to move continually in the direction of the vision of equality upon which it was founded. Its continuance depends on our ability to see the limitations that we place on ourselves as individuals and a society, and a willingness to move beyond these limitations.
The vision of democracy is that all are equal. When we support a world where this is a lived reality we move toward one where we also are treated fairly. We often will be tempted to think that we have arrived, but each step only is a phase in our ongoing progression toward the fulfillment of the democratic vision.
Democracy is a basic part of human nature. Each of us thrives on recognition and meaningful participation in our community and world.
Our most ancient ancestors participated in group decision making within their families and small tribes. Their ability to communicate and work together to meet challenges was what ensured their long-term success. This skill has remained an essential part of who we are.
As tribes, states, and nations grew in size, authority became more central, with individuals being subservient to their leaders. But the democratic impulse was revived in ancient Greece, which is where the term democracy, meaning “government by the people,” comes from. The Greeks were proud that their direct democracy, in which all citizens participated, was a radical departure from the past and the world that surrounded them.
In England, challenge to absolute rule began with the Magna Carta after a group of nobles confronted King John in 1215. Although not called democracy at the time, a gradually greater recognition of human rights continued there — with uneven progress — for hundreds of years.
The dawn of modern democracy began when thirteen American colonies, inspired by the Enlightenment writers of their time, used the British democratic tradition to challenge the mother country and rebelled. The American Revolution was fought to overcome what the colonists considered tyranny thrust on them by England. Independence was the beginning of an opportunity for Americans to clarify how to further implement the freedom they won. Many countries have tried democracy since then. Yet how to preserve democracy rarely is taught or discussed. Few Americans have a clear idea of what they can do to make their democracy work.
Modern democracy is based on one fundamental truth: the equality of every human being and the idea that no one is better than anyone else, as stated by Lincoln: “The proposition that all (men) are created equal.” Yet this principle remains largely unfulfilled in both the world’s democratic and non-democratic nations. We choose every day whether to make it a living reality in both our personal and political lives. When we fail, it is because we don’t think about what democracy looks like and how best to implement it, nor do we discuss this most important topic with others. For government “by the people” to succeed, those who live under it must maintain a clear vision of what it is and how to maintain it.
Since the American Revolution, the thrust toward greater equality in the world has continued to move forward, with some major steps backward, as the meaning of equality slowly has become more clear. In the 18th and 19th centuries, slavery was seen as acceptable in parts of the United States and other countries. Through most of the 20th century, segregation of black and white races was considered normal in the US and much of Africa. For the first 120 years of the American republic — and even longer in many countries — women were seen as not capable of deciding for whom to vote. And in our day there still are many countries and people who do not believe in that vision of equality, and hold the view that some people are inferior to others. Thus the reality of ensuring greater equality has moved forward in some countries, and stagnated in others.
For most its history, the United States surpassed other nations in providing opportunities for most of its residents because of the original ideas of its founders. But the practice of encouraging original thinking has faltered. The US Constitution holds that We the People are the authority for government, which was a radical idea for its time. But without a shared vision of how to implement this principle people are not likely to have a clear idea of how to maintain it.
The main premise of democracy is that people can think for themselves and together come to the conclusions — followed by actions — that are needed to best preserve their form of government. But many people let others think for them. If we want democracy to survive, we must do more than just talk and write about its importance. We must make it a lived reality by actively identifying our most essential goals in our communities and nations and then continually working toward them. This includes continually finding new ways to implement the promise of equality, which ultimately benefits everyone. By doing this we develop new respect for each other and find that we have more in common than we have divisions between us.
Part of human nature is to rest on our achievements. This is especially true of those under democracy. When we rely solely on others to tell us what is true, rather than developing our own understanding, we are in danger of losing our ability to maintain democracy. Once we allow our leaders — or anyone — to tell us how or what to think, the pattern is set. We find established routines easier to follow than developing new ideas to fit our times. Instead of innovating we rely on what we already consider true. The simpler the idea, the more seductive. We often let new information seep in only slowly, if at all, and fail to integrate it into our world view.
Guarding democracy is the responsibility of all those in nations who believe in it. If We the People are to truly be its guardians we must consider the views presented by many sources before we decide on which vision represents the best way forward. Then we can work together toward that vision. Yet each step only can be a temporary resting place, subject to further information and observation.
Some people view conservatism as sticking to established traditions, regardless of whether these traditions have application to an evolving world. But real conservatism, at least in democracy, is applying the basic founding principle of equality to the present. Real liberalism, on the other hand, is not just sticking to a position on the left of the political spectrum, but opening oneself to all approaches as to what may make the world work for all.
We are tribal by nature. We all want a group that we can belong to and support — a family, country, sports team, academic group, religion, or any other organization where we feel welcome. But our tribalism becomes destructive when we believe that only our group and its members are valid human beings; when we divide the world between “us” and “them.” When we see people in absolute terms we become polarized in our idea of who is good and who is bad. We then see those with different views from us as uninformed at best or evil at worst. We emphasize defeating them rather than cooperation toward common goals. We create distance between ourselves and others and believe we are about to be attacked. Then we may attack simply because we see “the other” as a threat.
Because we tend to create a black and white world in our minds we often see doom after setbacks. We think of a relatively benign occurrence as an obstacle. We cast a minor failure as likely to ruin us. We blame others rather than relying on creativity and cooperation to move past our challenges. But the truth is never as simple as our concepts. In most situations, if we choose, we can identify and move with others toward our goals rather than blaming them for our failures.
If I think that my idea of what is true is superior to yours, or you think that your idea is better than mine, we already are on the wrong path. Truth doesn’t take sides. Recognizing this brings us to a place of humility where we can see that our frames of reference limit our vision and our progress. We then can together identify and discover the way forward based on respectful dialogue.
When we acknowledge our limits as human beings the most crucial element of democracy — collaborating with others to create and work toward common goals — can take place. That is when we begin to see that we all have something to contribute. We cannot wait for the person on the other side to acknowledge our common interests, so the burden rests with us. We can ask simple questions: “How do you think we can move forward,” or “How do you think we can solve this problem?” or “What is your idea for how to make things work?” As we do this we bring respect to our interaction and begin to gain freedom from the preconceptions that keep us from seeing each other as truly human. When we restore humanity to others in our minds we do the same to ourselves.
A consequence of our polarization is that we remain unfree, shackled by the chain of our preconceptions that keep us from seeing people and the world without jaundiced eyes. Assumptions that we project on others keep us from the promise of democracy. When aware that our beliefs are only ideas, and not necessarily truth, we become less rigid. We see that we are not our thoughts, and become free to alter them to suit the changing world before us.
We all are driven by our fears and hopes. Our view of the state of our relationships, families, jobs, and nations propel what we do. Our fears can make a small threat very large in our minds.
Our perceptions are based not on reality but on how we perceive reality. When we allow ourselves to feed our emotions and fears, often based on the slightest of evidence, and make decisions based on them, we easily can betray our highest values. But we also can think twice before automatically reacting in a way that may make our situation worse rather than better.
Democracy is not a gift that we can accept and place on a shelf. It is a way of life that we must assert and re-earn every day by honoring the truth of human equality in our personal, professional, and political lives. If not maintained by eternal vigilance it will slip away and leave us wondering what we should have done to preserve it. For those who believe in democracy, we must continually reassert our belief in it by making it a way of life. Only then we are likely to keep it.
We never can truly be independent in our democratic nations if we fail to develop our ability to bring democracy’s central vision of equality into our lives and government. When we allow others to think for us, we enable them to determine how we act as we put aside our own best interests. Ideas from others or the past must be examined critically to determine if they really reflect truth or meet our needs. In undemocratic governments people have their thinking done for them. The ultimate consequence of letting others do our thinking is the demise of democracy.
To maintain democracy it takes a populace willing to move continually in the direction of the vision of equality upon which it was founded. Its continuance depends on our ability to see the limitations that we place on ourselves as individuals and a society, and a willingness to move beyond these limitations.
The vision of democracy is that all are equal. When we support a world where this is a lived reality we move toward one where we also are treated fairly. We often will be tempted to think that we have arrived, but each step only is a phase in our ongoing progression toward the fulfillment of the democratic vision.
Comments?
Use our Contact page to send comments on this article. We publish the initials of the person making comments only, not the full name.