Democracy requires active citizen participation from "summary" of Democracy On Trial by Jean Bethke Elshtain
Democracy is not a spectator sport. It is not a system where citizens can simply sit back and watch as decisions are made on their behalf. Rather, democracy requires active participation from its citizens in order to function effectively. Without this active engagement, democracy can quickly devolve into a mere facade, a hollow shell of its true potential. Active citizen participation is at the heart of a vibrant democracy. It involves more than just casting a ballot every few years; it requires constant vigilance and engagement with the political process. This means staying informed about current events, participating in public debates, and holding elected officials accountable for their actions. In essence, active citizen participation is about taking ownership of the democratic process and actively shaping its outcomes. When citizens fail to actively participate in democracy, the system becomes vulnerable to manipulation and abuse. Elected officials may act in their own self-interest rather than in the best interest of the public, knowing that there is no one holding them accountable. Special interest groups may exert undue influence over policy decisions, drowning out the voices of ordinary citizens. In such a scenario, democracy becomes a mere facade, a charade of popular sovereignty. Active citizen participation is not just a nice ideal; it is a necessary component of a healthy democracy. Without the active engagement of its citizens, democracy cannot fulfill its promise of equality, justice, and freedom. It is only through the active participation of ordinary citizens that democracy can truly reflect the will of the people and serve the common good. In the words of Jean Bethke Elshtain, democracy requires active citizen participation because "the health of any democracy depends on the active involvement of its citizens." This is not just a matter of personal responsibility; it is a collective duty that we owe to ourselves and to future generations. By actively participating in democracy, we ensure that it remains a vibrant and responsive system of government, capable of addressing the challenges of our time.
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