Southwest High School - Roundup Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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A DEFINITION OF DEMOCRACY By HELEN MCELHINEY What is the meaning of democracy? Like other words expressing abstract ideals rather than concrete objects, it is extremely difficult to define. For centuries men have tried to express its full significance, but no one has succeeded fully. Here are several of the better definitions. Perhaps the earliest recorded attempt to explain the meaning of democracy is found in the writings of the Greek philosophers, Aristotle and Plato. They thought of it as power in the people. Statesmen today stress individual differences, greater opportunities for all, and the possibility of the further unification of mankind. A better known definition is embodied in Lincoln's closing words at Gettysburg, pleading for the continuation of government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and in the inspiring watch- words of the French Revolution, Liberty, equality, fraternity. Finally, one fmds in the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's conception of democracy. For in that great doctrine there exists such famous statements as, All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,-among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men--deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. What are the essential elements which must exist if democracy is to be attained? First, there is popular sovereignty-the condition under which supreme authority comes ultimately from the people themselves. The first aim toward popular sovereignty is an inclusive suffrage which will include all adult citizens who are mentally and morally qualified to express responsible opinions. Of course, as our communities become more populous, the direct popular sovereignty of the early New England town meeting becomes impractical, and must give way to a system of representative government. At this point is found one of the gravest problems of democracy in the United States: how shall we bring into existence representative legislatures that are a true cross-section of the people? For if the task of the legislature shall be to express public opinion, the legislature must reflect adequately and accurately every shade of opinion in society. Some system of proportional representation must come into existence in every state legislature and city council, and even in the halls of the national Congress. Nor is it enough that our representatives reflect accurately our opinion today. There is further need to guarantee that they shall be continuously responsive to our will day by day. We must insist that our public servants shall faithfully execute their duties for our well-being, and, if they fail, we must invoke such public checks as the initiative, referendum, and recall to accomplish our ends. The second essential element of democrary is liberty-the most priceless possession of free men everywhere. Freedom to speak and to write, freedom to assemble peaceably, freedom to engage in the occupation of their choice, freedom to worship God as they will-these are cornerstones of a structure Twel ue

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which will not fall when the storms come. However, since man falls far short of perfection, complete, unlimited liberty of action is impossible in organized society. The few who confuse liberty with license to do as they please must be prevented by law from infringing upon the liberty of others. Therefore each man should be granted only so much freedom as he is able to use to the advantage of society. Next among the list of elements stands equality. Political philosophers are in constant dispute over its meaning. Jefferson's statement of the equality of men refers neither to their physical nor mental abilities, since mind-prints Ccould they somehow be takenj would differ as widely as finger-prints. Nor can this statement be interpreted, in a land which still believes in reward for individual effort, to mean that each man shall have exactly as many dollars as every other man. Equality to us means rather a legal equality, a political and social equality., It means that each man shall stand equal to every other man before the court of law, in the polling place, or in any social gathering of our people. It means that special privilege is inconsistent with democracy. lt means that every child should be given opportunity to develop fully. It means that each man shall count for one, and that we must banish forever the arrogance of the privileged and the bitterness of the oppressed. Finally, among the basic elements of democracy, there must be complete harmony and efficiency within and among the many agencies of government. Ours is an extremely complicated governmental system, involving relation- ships between local, state, and national units, as well as checks and balances between branches of each unit. If progress is to be made, long-continued deadlocks between state and municipality are to be avoided. After all, every public officer is a public servant. Is it fitting that one servant shall quarrel with another while their master's business is left undone? One of the things most sorely needed in this country is a tradition of efficiency and honesty in public office. But, in all fairness, let it be pointed out that public morality is generally but a reflection of private morality. Only an incorruptible people can bring into existence a government of upright men. These, then, seem to be the irreducible minimum of democracy-popular sovereignty, liberty, equality, and efficiency in operation. As such, democracy becomes much more than a form of government. President or prime minister, Congress or Parliament, democracy can exist only where its elements exist. Thought of in such a broad way, democracy becomes a set of ideals toward which all mankind, consciously or unconsciously, is striving. Anarchism, Com- munism, Socialism, Fascism, Capitalism-these are but diverse means toward ultimate Democracy. In some sections of the earth such as Arabia or Afghanistan, little perceptible progress has been made. In other places, notably Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, the United States, Britain and Australia, comparatively long strides have been taken. We must not become impatient of progress. Nothing worth striving for can be attained in a day. It is rather for us to resolve that we shall lose none of the hard won gains of the past, and that we shall add where possible to the growing structure of democracy. Thirteen