Democratic Interventions

• Democracy


  Rule by the people
• Democratic practices

  • Rule of Law
  • Separation of Powers
  • Suffrage
  • Pluralism
  • Basic Rights and Freedoms
  • Equality and Inclusivity
  • Citizen Participation
  • Majority Rule
• Rule of Law


  The heart of any democratic government, where the rights and freedoms of citizens are protected and no one is above the law
• Separation of Powers


  Powers should be distributed within the government (executive, legislative, judiciary) with provisions for checks and balances
• Suffrage


  The right of every citizen of legal age to participate in elections by casting a vote, underscoring the equality of citizens in the eyes of the law
• Pluralism


  The perspective that people are entitled to diverse beliefs and opinions, as evidenced by the presence of administration and opposition in government
• Basic Rights and Freedoms


  Implications of the rule of law, including freedom of speech, right to life, and minority rights
• Equality and Inclusivity


  The practice of embracing and accepting all types of people in society and treating them with fairness and justice
• Citizen Participation


  A process that gives people a chance to make positive effects on public decisions and improve their quality of life, work, and relationship with the government
• Majority Rule


  The making of binding decisions by a vote of more than one-half of all persons who participate in an election
• Undemocratic practices include culture of impunity, electoral fraud, media censorship, journalist killings, drug war, extrajudicial killings, and gender inequality
• Democratic participation


  Involvement or engagement that is freely done, without coercion, threat or fear
• Importance of participation in democracy

  • Provides equality and access to opportunities for all citizens in government
  • Checks and balances the government to prevent abuse of power
  • Allows citizens to influence and suggest policies and laws
  • Allows the popular majority to oust representatives who abuse power
  • Promotes freedom and human rights
  • Becomes competent, firm, and stable with dedicated and transparent leaders
  • Provides political education to the people
  • Upholds change as citizens can participate in government
• Direct Democracy


  Citizens come together to decide on issues or pass laws through a vote
• Representative Democracy


  People elect leaders to act as their representatives in the government
• Direct democracy is difficult to implement in societies with huge populations, while representative democracy makes it difficult for representatives to consider the will of every citizen