American Democracy in 2010

By Tiffany D. Tilley

Chair of International Advocacy

United Nations Association-USA Greater Detroit Chapter

Democracy is a failed system.  This system’s utilization of partiality for the majority giving them vantage over the minority leaves it corrupt and its citizens disillusioned.  Power is supposed to “the people,” however while the majority rules, protection is without garner for minority voters.   While the majority rule does not in fact represent absolute power of the people, it does in fact create an abuse of power in the system against minority rights. 

Constitutionally speaking, when the founding Fathers of this nation apotheosized the document, their inclusion of the Bill of Rights was to eradicate the implications of tyranny.   It was abundantly clear that outside forces were not the only threat waged towards the freedom and liberties of Americans.   Self rule of one leader, usually embarked by kings, queens or dictators, could now be imposed through one united voice of the majority.  Therefore, allowing that majority to inflict the minority body with a crucially imbalanced authority.   

There are many groups that suffer the oppression of the popular vote, including the gay and lesbian community, religious groups, minority groups, the poor and uneducated.  We have witnessed the toxic results for all of these groups when forced to succumb to an illegitimate process.  In many states gays and lesbians have been denied the privilege of the marital sanctuary set forth for heterosexual voters.  Religious groups have lost the privilege of prayer in schools, inflicting great hypocrisy, it denies the right to practice traditions that this country was founded on.  Affirmative action has been removed from various states, resulting in the discontinuation of many health and sports programs for females.  Taxation has oppressed the underclass, while the public school systems have failed many of our underprivileged youth.  Cut backs have continued to exasperate collapsing institutions, resulting in a revolving door of drop out students and disproportionate disparities due to the Achievement Gap.

While there are many cons to democracy, the pros still ring true.   Inalienable rights are supposed without prejudice to every individual.  In 1776, Thomas Jefferson thoroughly examined and affirmed what inalienable rights means for Americans.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;…,” Declaration of Independence.

Democracy also allows individuals, groups and communities to conceptualize ideas and influence due process.  The responsibility is not just left up to the government to directly influence change, laws, or rights.  Everyone has a voice.  Legislatures and delegates represent those voices.  However, non-electoral voices, sometimes self-appointed, can at will challenge the government’s authority and control.   

Flexibility is also afforded in the democratic process.  The voting methodology of the majority rules enables decisions to be made without impeding progress.  It can be viewed as the most efficient way to appease a group without negating the rights of individuals.

Democracy is the American way of life.  It creates a more balanced view of citizens needs, and includes them in how those needs will be generated.   As opposed to dictatorship, authoritarianism, totalitarianism or communism where factions decide what individuals needs are and how they will be met.  Our system is flawed and at times diluted; however it helps us to preserve our human and inalienable rights in the process.  It separates us from the governmental controls felt around the world in other countries.   Americans enjoy prosperity and its remnants while many others experience unfair cast systems, planned economies and a government hostile towards its own people.  As we continue to embrace democracy within our shores, America remains the land of the free and home of the brave.