Democracy As A Universal Value

Powao, Jayford O.
TTH
AB POSC PTS IV
3:00-4:30
DEMOCRACY AS A UNIVERSAL VALUE

Democracy is undeniably one of the most powerful and most popular
political ideas today. Almost all of the countries today practice or claims to be
democratic. The idea of democracy originated from ancient Greece,
particularly Athens. It is derived from the Greek word demos meaning
people and kratia which means authority. Voting was very restricted and
limited because only men who possessed a property and of legal age were
allowed to vote. Women and slaves were not recognized as citizens. Albeit
this, the Athenian populace were still engaged in the government through
direct participation.
While democracy is not yet universally practiced, nor indeed uniformly
accepted but democratic governance has now achieved the status of being
taken to be generally right. The gradual spread of democracy as a universally
accepted working system of governance was bolstered by many
developments from the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, to the French
Revolution and the American Revolutions in the 18 th century. It was in the
20th century and after the complete dissolution of the soviet bloc that the
idea of democracy became established as the normal form of government
to which any nation is entitled whether in Europe, America, Asia or Africa.
In this article review, I will give primary focus and importance to the Amartya
Sens new perspective of viewing democracy in terms of public reasoning.
The author, argues that we should not limit democracy to regular, free and
fair elections. But also to see Democracy in terms of public reasoning as
government by discussion which would help us to identify the far-reaching
historical roots of democratic ideas across the world. Voting is only one way
though certainly a very important wayof making public discussions
effective, when the opportunity to vote is combined with the opportunity to
speak, and to listen, without fear. Balloting alone can be insufficient, as
abundantly illustrated by the electoral victories of tyrannies in Authoritarian
regimes from Stalins Soviet Union to Saddam Husseins Iraq. The process of
decision-making through discussion can enhance information about a society
and about individual priorities and those priorities may respond to public
deliberation. This negates the idea that Democracy is merely a product of
Western ideas but also puts into consideration the manifestations of
Democracy in the non-western world through public reasoning which is well
practiced by non-western countries most especially Asian and African
countries.
The broader view of democracy in terms of public reasoning also allows us to

understand that the roots of democracy go beyond the narrowly confined
chronicles of some designated practices that are now seen as specifically
democratic institutions. The championing of pluralism, diversity and basic
liberties can be found in the history of many societies. The long traditions of
encouraging and protecting public debates on political, social and cultural
matters has been very much popular in India, China, Japan, Korea, Iran,
Turkey, the Arab world, in many parts of Africa deserves much recognition in
the history of democratic ideas. This global heritage is ground enough to
question the frequently posited view that democracy is just a Western idea
and that democracy is therefore just a form of Westernization.
The ideal of public reasoning is closely linked with two particular social
practices that deserve specific attention: the tolerance of different points of
view and the encouragement of public discussion. Both tolerance and
openness of public discussion are often seen as present in both Western and
non-western tradition.
To ignore the centrality of public reasoning in the idea of democracy not only
distorts and diminishes the history of democratic ideas, it also detracts
attention from the interactive process through which a democracy functions
and on which its success depends. The neglect of the global roots of public
reasoning undermines the adequate understanding of the place and the role
of democracy in the contemporary world. Even with the expansion of adult
franchise and fair elections, free and uncensored deliberation is important for
people to be able to determine what they must demand, what they should
criticize and how they ought to vote.
The value of democracy includes its intrinsic importance in human life, its
instrumental role in generating political incentives and its constructive
function in the formation of values and in understanding the force and
feasibility of claims, needs, rights and duties.
REACTION:
The article presented a new paradigm on understanding democracy. If
democracy will be viewed in terms of political participation it will be seen
merely as a Western ideal because its origins come from the West. However,
if we view democracy in terms of public reasoning which gives much
importance to public discussion which gives the opportunity to be heard,
speak, criticize and oppose the government. The process of decision-making
through public discussion can enhance the information about a society and
about individual priorities and those priorities may respond to public
deliberation. In a Political System, the socialization process is very crucial to
the actors who are the (interest groups, parties, people) in determining the
preferences and shaping the interests of the populace. Public discussion can
shape the information made available to the people who in turn influences
their personal decisions and interests. The Western hegemony has
dominated the world politically and economically and has spread their ideals
and interests throughout the world. The article highlighted the role public
discussion and its importance in tracing the historical roots of democracy.
Democracy therefore is not entirely synonymous to Westernization but there
are certain aspects of democracy which are already present in Asia and
Africa which are indicators of a democratic regime which encourages public
debates on political, social and cultural matters. The Eastern world had
already practiced the tradition of public deliberation from the Buddhists of
India, the Japanese, Koreans, Chinese and as well as the Arabs.

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Powao, Jayford O.

DEMOCRACY AS A UNIVERSAL VALUE

The broader view of democracy in terms of public reasoning also allows us to

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