Principles Matter — Democracy
This article is part of our Principled Voter series.
A principled voter asks: Does this candidate preserve democracy?
“Democratic governance affirms the worth of souls. As a society, we must guard against every social, political, and legal effort that seeks to deny anyone the right of self-determination. We are all equal before God.” — MWEG Official Statement
What does democracy mean? Democracy is government by the people. In a democratic government, citizens have a voice in voting and lawmaking, and elected officials are accountable to them. We work together to build a society that reflects us all.
In democratic systems, power and authority flow from the people. Power is distributed broadly rather than concentrated in the hands of one or a few.
What is at stake? Democracy allows for the “consent of the governed.” This means we get to choose our leaders — and also can vote them out if they are bad at their job or don’t live up to our national values.
Democracy is linked to peace. When democracies work and citizens are engaged, there are many pathways to peacefully resolve conflict and disagreement.
Why does it matter?
- Imagine you are going to buy a car. Would you be comfortable letting the dealership or a neighbor choose it for you? Democracy puts us in the driver’s seat and gives us the power to shape our nation.
- Democracy supports the good of many rather than the good of a few. It allows us to combine our efforts to push back against special interests that seek to exert outsized influence.
- Democracy invites collaboration and cooperation between opposing groups.
How can I tell if this candidate values democracy?
- They protect the right to vote, making it secure but easy, and promote voter participation.
- They support fair voting districts and do not seek to insulate themselves or their party from accountability to constituents.
- They acknowledge that America is a democratic republic. At all levels of government, our citizens use democratic processes to select their leaders and representatives.
No candidate is perfect, but some uphold democracy more than others.
Patterns can reveal a commitment to principles. How can we determine if a candidate is committed to preserving democracy?
- Do they accept input from citizens and representatives and not just donors, lobbyists, and special interest groups?
- Are they committed to honoring the outcome of free and fair elections? Do they speak highly of democracy even when the people do not choose them?
- Do they uphold democratic processes or do they claim that their preferred policy outcomes justify taking control from the people?
“My dear friends, your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” — John Lewis (speaking to the Democratic National Convention in 2012)
Principled voters are “golden rule” voters. They consider whether their vote will harm others, and they use their vote to create a better shared future.
Democratic systems are essential if we want to build the beloved community — they systematically acknowledge the worth of the individual soul and promote peace.
