How can the common citizen defend democracy principles? [closed]
There is this question bugging me for a while now. I can't really state it other than the title of this question. What do I mean by that?
It seems to me that, besides going to vote once every 4-5 years or taking the streets to protest some event or situation, the common citizen has no power whatsoever in a democracy. On the other hand, those (elected) in power control the institutions, the army, the police, everything. If they want to do whatever they want (see for example the situation in Hungary, Poland, and Romania) they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the 10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
So, how can the common citizen defend democracy principles? What leverage do they have against those (elected) that go in opposition to democratic principles?
democracy citizen-activism
closed as too broad by Bregalad, Glorfindel, Samuel Russell, curiousdannii, Thunderforge Dec 8 '18 at 15:16
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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show 5 more comments
There is this question bugging me for a while now. I can't really state it other than the title of this question. What do I mean by that?
It seems to me that, besides going to vote once every 4-5 years or taking the streets to protest some event or situation, the common citizen has no power whatsoever in a democracy. On the other hand, those (elected) in power control the institutions, the army, the police, everything. If they want to do whatever they want (see for example the situation in Hungary, Poland, and Romania) they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the 10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
So, how can the common citizen defend democracy principles? What leverage do they have against those (elected) that go in opposition to democratic principles?
democracy citizen-activism
closed as too broad by Bregalad, Glorfindel, Samuel Russell, curiousdannii, Thunderforge Dec 8 '18 at 15:16
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
4
the streets to protest some event or situation
Street protests are antidemocratic by nature, because protesters have a (much) louder voice than non-protesters, and this fails the "one person=one vote" principle.
– Bregalad
Dec 5 '18 at 19:42
4
One person has no power. One million people have a lot of power. If you can get (say) 999,999 other people to agree with you and take action, then you may have the ability to do something.
– immibis
Dec 5 '18 at 21:53
47
@Bregalad By that measure, any form of campaign at all would be regarded as undemocratic. A voice isn't a vote, no matter how loud, and "freedom of assembly" isn't some radical idea undermining democratic principles, it IS one.
– Beanluc
Dec 5 '18 at 22:18
9
@Chloe: because there are worse systems out there (I lived through communism for example - not fun at all). My question was not how to make democracy perfect, it will never be perfect. But a dictatorship is far worse than a democracy with some level of corruption so it's better to defend as much of it as you can than shrug your shoulders and wait to see what happens.
– Pips
Dec 6 '18 at 10:24
4
@Pips Before any wrong pedants say "but communism is an economic system, not a political one" and ignore the connotations of the word in favor of the literal definition, I want to add that there are plenty of stories from people who lived through fascist Italy, and they would have happily confirmed that a dictatorship is far worse than a somewhat corrupt democracy.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 6 '18 at 18:31
|
show 5 more comments
There is this question bugging me for a while now. I can't really state it other than the title of this question. What do I mean by that?
It seems to me that, besides going to vote once every 4-5 years or taking the streets to protest some event or situation, the common citizen has no power whatsoever in a democracy. On the other hand, those (elected) in power control the institutions, the army, the police, everything. If they want to do whatever they want (see for example the situation in Hungary, Poland, and Romania) they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the 10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
So, how can the common citizen defend democracy principles? What leverage do they have against those (elected) that go in opposition to democratic principles?
democracy citizen-activism
There is this question bugging me for a while now. I can't really state it other than the title of this question. What do I mean by that?
It seems to me that, besides going to vote once every 4-5 years or taking the streets to protest some event or situation, the common citizen has no power whatsoever in a democracy. On the other hand, those (elected) in power control the institutions, the army, the police, everything. If they want to do whatever they want (see for example the situation in Hungary, Poland, and Romania) they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the 10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
So, how can the common citizen defend democracy principles? What leverage do they have against those (elected) that go in opposition to democratic principles?
democracy citizen-activism
democracy citizen-activism
asked Dec 5 '18 at 17:38
PipsPips
15025
15025
closed as too broad by Bregalad, Glorfindel, Samuel Russell, curiousdannii, Thunderforge Dec 8 '18 at 15:16
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as too broad by Bregalad, Glorfindel, Samuel Russell, curiousdannii, Thunderforge Dec 8 '18 at 15:16
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
4
the streets to protest some event or situation
Street protests are antidemocratic by nature, because protesters have a (much) louder voice than non-protesters, and this fails the "one person=one vote" principle.
– Bregalad
Dec 5 '18 at 19:42
4
One person has no power. One million people have a lot of power. If you can get (say) 999,999 other people to agree with you and take action, then you may have the ability to do something.
– immibis
Dec 5 '18 at 21:53
47
@Bregalad By that measure, any form of campaign at all would be regarded as undemocratic. A voice isn't a vote, no matter how loud, and "freedom of assembly" isn't some radical idea undermining democratic principles, it IS one.
– Beanluc
Dec 5 '18 at 22:18
9
@Chloe: because there are worse systems out there (I lived through communism for example - not fun at all). My question was not how to make democracy perfect, it will never be perfect. But a dictatorship is far worse than a democracy with some level of corruption so it's better to defend as much of it as you can than shrug your shoulders and wait to see what happens.
– Pips
Dec 6 '18 at 10:24
4
@Pips Before any wrong pedants say "but communism is an economic system, not a political one" and ignore the connotations of the word in favor of the literal definition, I want to add that there are plenty of stories from people who lived through fascist Italy, and they would have happily confirmed that a dictatorship is far worse than a somewhat corrupt democracy.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 6 '18 at 18:31
|
show 5 more comments
4
the streets to protest some event or situation
Street protests are antidemocratic by nature, because protesters have a (much) louder voice than non-protesters, and this fails the "one person=one vote" principle.
– Bregalad
Dec 5 '18 at 19:42
4
One person has no power. One million people have a lot of power. If you can get (say) 999,999 other people to agree with you and take action, then you may have the ability to do something.
– immibis
Dec 5 '18 at 21:53
47
@Bregalad By that measure, any form of campaign at all would be regarded as undemocratic. A voice isn't a vote, no matter how loud, and "freedom of assembly" isn't some radical idea undermining democratic principles, it IS one.
– Beanluc
Dec 5 '18 at 22:18
9
@Chloe: because there are worse systems out there (I lived through communism for example - not fun at all). My question was not how to make democracy perfect, it will never be perfect. But a dictatorship is far worse than a democracy with some level of corruption so it's better to defend as much of it as you can than shrug your shoulders and wait to see what happens.
– Pips
Dec 6 '18 at 10:24
4
@Pips Before any wrong pedants say "but communism is an economic system, not a political one" and ignore the connotations of the word in favor of the literal definition, I want to add that there are plenty of stories from people who lived through fascist Italy, and they would have happily confirmed that a dictatorship is far worse than a somewhat corrupt democracy.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 6 '18 at 18:31
4
4
the streets to protest some event or situation
Street protests are antidemocratic by nature, because protesters have a (much) louder voice than non-protesters, and this fails the "one person=one vote" principle.– Bregalad
Dec 5 '18 at 19:42
the streets to protest some event or situation
Street protests are antidemocratic by nature, because protesters have a (much) louder voice than non-protesters, and this fails the "one person=one vote" principle.– Bregalad
Dec 5 '18 at 19:42
4
4
One person has no power. One million people have a lot of power. If you can get (say) 999,999 other people to agree with you and take action, then you may have the ability to do something.
– immibis
Dec 5 '18 at 21:53
One person has no power. One million people have a lot of power. If you can get (say) 999,999 other people to agree with you and take action, then you may have the ability to do something.
– immibis
Dec 5 '18 at 21:53
47
47
@Bregalad By that measure, any form of campaign at all would be regarded as undemocratic. A voice isn't a vote, no matter how loud, and "freedom of assembly" isn't some radical idea undermining democratic principles, it IS one.
– Beanluc
Dec 5 '18 at 22:18
@Bregalad By that measure, any form of campaign at all would be regarded as undemocratic. A voice isn't a vote, no matter how loud, and "freedom of assembly" isn't some radical idea undermining democratic principles, it IS one.
– Beanluc
Dec 5 '18 at 22:18
9
9
@Chloe: because there are worse systems out there (I lived through communism for example - not fun at all). My question was not how to make democracy perfect, it will never be perfect. But a dictatorship is far worse than a democracy with some level of corruption so it's better to defend as much of it as you can than shrug your shoulders and wait to see what happens.
– Pips
Dec 6 '18 at 10:24
@Chloe: because there are worse systems out there (I lived through communism for example - not fun at all). My question was not how to make democracy perfect, it will never be perfect. But a dictatorship is far worse than a democracy with some level of corruption so it's better to defend as much of it as you can than shrug your shoulders and wait to see what happens.
– Pips
Dec 6 '18 at 10:24
4
4
@Pips Before any wrong pedants say "but communism is an economic system, not a political one" and ignore the connotations of the word in favor of the literal definition, I want to add that there are plenty of stories from people who lived through fascist Italy, and they would have happily confirmed that a dictatorship is far worse than a somewhat corrupt democracy.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 6 '18 at 18:31
@Pips Before any wrong pedants say "but communism is an economic system, not a political one" and ignore the connotations of the word in favor of the literal definition, I want to add that there are plenty of stories from people who lived through fascist Italy, and they would have happily confirmed that a dictatorship is far worse than a somewhat corrupt democracy.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 6 '18 at 18:31
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show 5 more comments
13 Answers
13
active
oldest
votes
Join a political party and become an activist for it.
Being an activist gives you much more of a say in party policy and behaviour than J. Random Citizen because:
You get to vote on internal party decisions, and since most people are not activists this gives you a disproportionate level of influence.
The party needs activists and doesn't want to make them feel like their opinions don't matter. So your opinions carry more weight with party management than those of J. Random Citizen.
If you feel the party is doing the wrong thing then you can put your case to your fellow activists, who are presumably there because they care as well.
If you feel the opposition party is doing the wrong thing then you can present your views to voters when canvassing.
If you do this effectively enough then you may be able to level up and run for office yourself, which gives you even more influence over the democratic process.
Edit: Response to comments
The question was about how to defend democracy. If that is what you want to do then a good place to do it is from inside a political party. If the party starts moving in an anti-democratic direction, for example by gerrymandering or pushing for voter suppression tactics, then you can argue against that. Of course "join a political party" is a good answer to any question that starts "How do I influence the government to ...", but that doesn't make it any less correct in this case.
3
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
18
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
1
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
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@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
1
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
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I will take the bait since I was one of those that inhaled lot of tear gas on 10th of August 2018 and I am also following the local politics in Romania.
Paul Johnson's answer is what I feel is the right answer legally and democratically. However, this also requires time (at least until the next elections). In Romania's case, you can also choose one of the opposition parties (PNL, USR, RO+ etc.).
they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially
if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the
10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
Despite the 10th of August protests ending bad for the protesters, it also ended bad for the Government (source) due to international reactions:
The events on 10 August also lead to international reactions. Austrian
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz strongly condemned the "violent
confrontations in Bucharest, at which numerous protesters and
journalists were injured" (..) In the context of the Mechanism for
Cooperation and Verification, the European Commission follows the
events with worry and gives an increased importance to the
independence of the judiciary system and of the fight against
corruption.
MCV was particularly bad for Romania in 2018 and it is the first time when Bulgaria has a real hope to access Schengen Area, while Romania does not.
Also, the main party in power in Romania (the Social-Democrats) significantly lost in vote intentions for next elections (EU Parliament and local Parliament) [citation needed] and recently lost majority within the Chamber of Deputies.
The opposition can use all these to gain political advantage in the elections to come.
So, my answer to your question is:
The common citizen can protest against what he/she sees as undemocratic government decisions. Typically there are some effects since the country is far from being isolated (e.g. Romania is both within EU and NATO).
In Romania's case there was significant political pressure from both US and EU.
4
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
1
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
add a comment |
Most every democracy has free speech protections. The key to defending democratic principles is to use the hell out of them. Start a YouTube channel. Write a blog. Submit articles to web sites who share your opinions. Get active on social media. Start a local group with like-minded individuals. Make rational, passionate arguments for all to see. Use your creative talents to artistically illustrate a point. Use your charisma to win people over to your way of thinking.
If you're right and your opposition is wrong, people will see it. People will be persuaded, even if it takes a long time. Fight for the long game. If you're the one who's wrong, make sure you have the humility and the self-reflection to own up to it. That will endear you to other people.
The strength of a democracy is not found in the leaders who control its institutions, but whether or not those leaders properly fear for their jobs if they screw up those institutions.
1
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
5
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
1
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
6
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
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The bare minimum: VOTE
As provided in Paul Johnson's answer, is to join the political party. That answer is specific to becoming an activist. However, there are many more things that can be done.
Run for an elected office yourself. In many countries, there are lower level, more obscure, or more localized elected positions that are more easily obtainable.
Then, if not joining the politics directly, there is joining a career field that allows influence over politics. Journalism is a popular one.
Frequently, people forget about think tanks, watchdog groups, charities, or non-profit groups. Some of these are paid careers, some are voluntary.
Ultimately, the gateway for democratic governments is voting. You either cast your vote for someone you believe speaks for you or you convince others to give you their vote to speak on their behalf. There is little that can be done between votes from the outside.
Any leverage is applied to an elected politician through pressure or concern that they would lose their position, essentially. If a politician is swaying from their base, a protest or vocalization about the dissatisfaction usually occur. However, politicians wont change their tune unless it is more beneficial for them to listen than to keep their course. If pressure alone isn't enough, it escalates tension and civil unrest. The threats are usually to a politicians career, as in not being re-elected. Sometimes that devolves into more dire consequences.
Edit: Clarification to the language on leverage per comment suggestion.
3
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
2
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
1
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
1
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
add a comment |
Change the Political Culture!
Even if political leaders have just won an election, they usually worry about what will happen in the next election. So they worry about the political climate. They will not follow through with decisions if they are widely unpopular.
What you can do is to do your small bit in influencing the public debate and culture. If a person in a subway train says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person at the supermarket checkout comments on a newspaper headline you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person posts something online you consider outrageous, vote it down and post that's wrong! If a person in a bar says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong!
If people say or write outrageous things and nobody contradicts, then everybody starts to think that is normal. It will encourage those people to say and do even more outrageous things, and it will discourage others to speak out because nobody likes to be in the minority. That's an uncomfortable place to be in any debate and also in one's own mind, but if nobody speaks up against outrages how can you find out if you really are in a minority?
Depending on where you live, it might make sense to hold back if you fear that it could lead to a brawl. Or if you had a hard day at work and you don't want that argument now. But the way politics work, silence is interpreted as consent. Don't be silent.
The voice of a single voter won't mean much. The voices of many voters mean a lot. How will you find out if you are one of many if you don't talk?
add a comment |
Other answers have discussed various kinds of activism. However, while these methods have focused on time commitments like volunteering, protesting, phone banks, etc, there is another less direct form of activism, namely financial.
This can be a monetary contribution directly to a particular candidate, or to a group whose cause you support, or to more generic party organizations. But by donating money you help support a cause you believe in. (Note: this answer is focused on small time donations, from "the common citizen")
This doesn't have to be a lot of money to make a difference. A few examples. The NRA was quite successful, mostly being funded through individual contributions (let's keep this simple and say, only consider before the turn of the century). Bernie Sanders received the majority (57%) of his 2016 funds from small time donors (<$200). And most recently, Susan Collin's as-yet-unknown opponent has received over 3.7 million dollars, with over $1.7 million of that coming from people only donating $20.20.
add a comment |
I disagree with you that citizens have no power in a democracy aside from voting and protest. Voting is quite powerful. If you want political power beyond the vote, you can write an influential book or conduct research on topics you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Politicians often use the works of others to inform their decisions. If you do not have sufficient knowledge or skills to be influential in this way, you can still influence others in your social circles by demonstrating your views to them. Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction. Then people will take notice, and may even incorporate your ways into their worldview. Democracy is a way to balance political power across people, but some are still more influential than others.
1
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
add a comment |
Read
Find out what others think of what "democracy principles" means. A lot of great scholars have written a lot of great things about these concepts. Being from the US, myself, I would naturally defer to the founding fathers of the US in a great many cases, but they are by no means the only people who have written on the topic!
Think
Why do we have democratic principles? What are the underlying goals of them? Why do we have a process which isn't 100% perfectly in line with those principles? There are practical reasons for this. Understand when we benefit from these deviations. They aren't always bad. Think it through. Don't assume anyone else tells you the right answer.
Talk
Let ideas get shared. You, as a single citizen, really can't do all that much to change the course of a nation. Arguably, it is designed that way on purpose. However, by sharing ideas, you can align with others and a large number of citizens can often do things to shape the nation that small numbers cannot. Many of the examples of becoming an activist fit in this category. Share ideas. Get ideas from others. Learn and grow.
add a comment |
Organise a protest with a convergence of multiple actors. If there is sufficient anger among the public, it will escalate and become powerful enough to be taken seriously by the elite (like it just happened in France). It's a risk worth taking. If it does not escalate, then there is no sufficient fuel yet for it.
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
1
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
add a comment |
There are some good answers here but I didn't see any mention of the ultimate power of the citizen, at least in the United States. Here we have the ability to recall elected officials. Get enough people to sign a petition and a special election will be called to decide if the official should get recalled out of office.
4
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
add a comment |
I'll answer with a personal example, as someone who prefers living in a free society but was born in one of the least democratic countries in the world. The solution is...
Emigration
If you look at our society from a wider perspective, there's absolutely no reason for a person to feel obligated to support a given country simply because they were born there. If a person from New Zealand is willing to adapt to Belgian society and Belgium is willing to grant this person a residency permit, there's no reason why this person couldn't forever leave their birth country and feel no allegiance to any government except the one in Brussels.
Therefore as a person who's goal is to live in a more democratic society, you can always just pack your bags and go for greener pastures. Which is exactly what tens of millions of people around the world are doing as they're trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. As a bonus, leaving your country of birth will result in brain drain and the odds of it eventually being forced to reform are increased by a tiny percentage.
1
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
1
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
add a comment |
Encourage your country to join a supra-national organisation such as the EU or the Council of Europe (which has nothing to do with the EU but is the governing body for the European Convention on Human Rights) which limit the undemocratic options that your national government can take unless it is prepared to break international law and abrogate treaties.
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
In corrupt democratic systems (and also more widely), a good option is not to vote. This is a protest suggesting the democratic system is illegitimate/corrupt. There is a good analysis of the consequences of abstention here.
Related, voting null or blank is another form of protest. An analysis of this is here.
2
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
add a comment |
closed as too broad by Bregalad, Glorfindel, Samuel Russell, curiousdannii, Thunderforge Dec 8 '18 at 15:16
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oldest
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Join a political party and become an activist for it.
Being an activist gives you much more of a say in party policy and behaviour than J. Random Citizen because:
You get to vote on internal party decisions, and since most people are not activists this gives you a disproportionate level of influence.
The party needs activists and doesn't want to make them feel like their opinions don't matter. So your opinions carry more weight with party management than those of J. Random Citizen.
If you feel the party is doing the wrong thing then you can put your case to your fellow activists, who are presumably there because they care as well.
If you feel the opposition party is doing the wrong thing then you can present your views to voters when canvassing.
If you do this effectively enough then you may be able to level up and run for office yourself, which gives you even more influence over the democratic process.
Edit: Response to comments
The question was about how to defend democracy. If that is what you want to do then a good place to do it is from inside a political party. If the party starts moving in an anti-democratic direction, for example by gerrymandering or pushing for voter suppression tactics, then you can argue against that. Of course "join a political party" is a good answer to any question that starts "How do I influence the government to ...", but that doesn't make it any less correct in this case.
3
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
18
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
1
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
4
@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
1
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
|
show 3 more comments
Join a political party and become an activist for it.
Being an activist gives you much more of a say in party policy and behaviour than J. Random Citizen because:
You get to vote on internal party decisions, and since most people are not activists this gives you a disproportionate level of influence.
The party needs activists and doesn't want to make them feel like their opinions don't matter. So your opinions carry more weight with party management than those of J. Random Citizen.
If you feel the party is doing the wrong thing then you can put your case to your fellow activists, who are presumably there because they care as well.
If you feel the opposition party is doing the wrong thing then you can present your views to voters when canvassing.
If you do this effectively enough then you may be able to level up and run for office yourself, which gives you even more influence over the democratic process.
Edit: Response to comments
The question was about how to defend democracy. If that is what you want to do then a good place to do it is from inside a political party. If the party starts moving in an anti-democratic direction, for example by gerrymandering or pushing for voter suppression tactics, then you can argue against that. Of course "join a political party" is a good answer to any question that starts "How do I influence the government to ...", but that doesn't make it any less correct in this case.
3
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
18
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
1
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
4
@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
1
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
|
show 3 more comments
Join a political party and become an activist for it.
Being an activist gives you much more of a say in party policy and behaviour than J. Random Citizen because:
You get to vote on internal party decisions, and since most people are not activists this gives you a disproportionate level of influence.
The party needs activists and doesn't want to make them feel like their opinions don't matter. So your opinions carry more weight with party management than those of J. Random Citizen.
If you feel the party is doing the wrong thing then you can put your case to your fellow activists, who are presumably there because they care as well.
If you feel the opposition party is doing the wrong thing then you can present your views to voters when canvassing.
If you do this effectively enough then you may be able to level up and run for office yourself, which gives you even more influence over the democratic process.
Edit: Response to comments
The question was about how to defend democracy. If that is what you want to do then a good place to do it is from inside a political party. If the party starts moving in an anti-democratic direction, for example by gerrymandering or pushing for voter suppression tactics, then you can argue against that. Of course "join a political party" is a good answer to any question that starts "How do I influence the government to ...", but that doesn't make it any less correct in this case.
Join a political party and become an activist for it.
Being an activist gives you much more of a say in party policy and behaviour than J. Random Citizen because:
You get to vote on internal party decisions, and since most people are not activists this gives you a disproportionate level of influence.
The party needs activists and doesn't want to make them feel like their opinions don't matter. So your opinions carry more weight with party management than those of J. Random Citizen.
If you feel the party is doing the wrong thing then you can put your case to your fellow activists, who are presumably there because they care as well.
If you feel the opposition party is doing the wrong thing then you can present your views to voters when canvassing.
If you do this effectively enough then you may be able to level up and run for office yourself, which gives you even more influence over the democratic process.
Edit: Response to comments
The question was about how to defend democracy. If that is what you want to do then a good place to do it is from inside a political party. If the party starts moving in an anti-democratic direction, for example by gerrymandering or pushing for voter suppression tactics, then you can argue against that. Of course "join a political party" is a good answer to any question that starts "How do I influence the government to ...", but that doesn't make it any less correct in this case.
edited Dec 7 '18 at 8:01
answered Dec 5 '18 at 17:57
Paul JohnsonPaul Johnson
8,10541935
8,10541935
3
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
18
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
1
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
4
@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
1
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
|
show 3 more comments
3
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
18
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
1
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
4
@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
1
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
3
3
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
Political parties can easily become bureaucratic instances where power play end up hurting democracy and representation of party members. Many parties do not even have democratic structures themselves. So things are not so simple.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:38
18
18
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
While being a direct answer to the title question, I can't help but feel this misses the point. When you become an activist in a political party, you arguably have become part of "those in power", or at least don't count as "common citizen" anymore. Like you said yourself, "this gives you a disproportionate level of influence". With the question "How can the common citizen defend democracy principles?", this answer kinda boils down to "become not a common citizen". Not 100% sure about this though.
– R. Schmitz
Dec 6 '18 at 13:15
1
1
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
People have a hard time remembering that this is why lobbyist exist. They are not simply a way for large company to have the ear of politicians, they also serve different political planks. From the NRA to NAACP and unions have employed lobbyist to have their voices heard in government.
– Frank Cedeno
Dec 6 '18 at 14:56
4
4
@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
@R.Schmitz I think your assessment of what this boils down to is accurate, but I don't think this answer misses the point - There's by definition no way to be a common citizen and have meaningful political influence.
– HammerN'Songs
Dec 6 '18 at 15:04
1
1
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
I feel like points 1-3 pertain to shaping party opinion, which leads to a bit of a paradox where people would be more effective by joining parties they don't agree with. For example, if I wanted to see America join the Paris Agreement, joining the Democratic party wouldn't make much sense; they already hold that opinion, and my voice wouldn't contribute much to the conversation. My voice would be much louder in the Republican party where that position is less popular. Would you mind expanding on how activism shapes opinion outside the party, or am I missing something else?
– Lord Farquaad
Dec 6 '18 at 15:09
|
show 3 more comments
I will take the bait since I was one of those that inhaled lot of tear gas on 10th of August 2018 and I am also following the local politics in Romania.
Paul Johnson's answer is what I feel is the right answer legally and democratically. However, this also requires time (at least until the next elections). In Romania's case, you can also choose one of the opposition parties (PNL, USR, RO+ etc.).
they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially
if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the
10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
Despite the 10th of August protests ending bad for the protesters, it also ended bad for the Government (source) due to international reactions:
The events on 10 August also lead to international reactions. Austrian
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz strongly condemned the "violent
confrontations in Bucharest, at which numerous protesters and
journalists were injured" (..) In the context of the Mechanism for
Cooperation and Verification, the European Commission follows the
events with worry and gives an increased importance to the
independence of the judiciary system and of the fight against
corruption.
MCV was particularly bad for Romania in 2018 and it is the first time when Bulgaria has a real hope to access Schengen Area, while Romania does not.
Also, the main party in power in Romania (the Social-Democrats) significantly lost in vote intentions for next elections (EU Parliament and local Parliament) [citation needed] and recently lost majority within the Chamber of Deputies.
The opposition can use all these to gain political advantage in the elections to come.
So, my answer to your question is:
The common citizen can protest against what he/she sees as undemocratic government decisions. Typically there are some effects since the country is far from being isolated (e.g. Romania is both within EU and NATO).
In Romania's case there was significant political pressure from both US and EU.
4
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
1
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
add a comment |
I will take the bait since I was one of those that inhaled lot of tear gas on 10th of August 2018 and I am also following the local politics in Romania.
Paul Johnson's answer is what I feel is the right answer legally and democratically. However, this also requires time (at least until the next elections). In Romania's case, you can also choose one of the opposition parties (PNL, USR, RO+ etc.).
they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially
if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the
10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
Despite the 10th of August protests ending bad for the protesters, it also ended bad for the Government (source) due to international reactions:
The events on 10 August also lead to international reactions. Austrian
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz strongly condemned the "violent
confrontations in Bucharest, at which numerous protesters and
journalists were injured" (..) In the context of the Mechanism for
Cooperation and Verification, the European Commission follows the
events with worry and gives an increased importance to the
independence of the judiciary system and of the fight against
corruption.
MCV was particularly bad for Romania in 2018 and it is the first time when Bulgaria has a real hope to access Schengen Area, while Romania does not.
Also, the main party in power in Romania (the Social-Democrats) significantly lost in vote intentions for next elections (EU Parliament and local Parliament) [citation needed] and recently lost majority within the Chamber of Deputies.
The opposition can use all these to gain political advantage in the elections to come.
So, my answer to your question is:
The common citizen can protest against what he/she sees as undemocratic government decisions. Typically there are some effects since the country is far from being isolated (e.g. Romania is both within EU and NATO).
In Romania's case there was significant political pressure from both US and EU.
4
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
1
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
add a comment |
I will take the bait since I was one of those that inhaled lot of tear gas on 10th of August 2018 and I am also following the local politics in Romania.
Paul Johnson's answer is what I feel is the right answer legally and democratically. However, this also requires time (at least until the next elections). In Romania's case, you can also choose one of the opposition parties (PNL, USR, RO+ etc.).
they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially
if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the
10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
Despite the 10th of August protests ending bad for the protesters, it also ended bad for the Government (source) due to international reactions:
The events on 10 August also lead to international reactions. Austrian
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz strongly condemned the "violent
confrontations in Bucharest, at which numerous protesters and
journalists were injured" (..) In the context of the Mechanism for
Cooperation and Verification, the European Commission follows the
events with worry and gives an increased importance to the
independence of the judiciary system and of the fight against
corruption.
MCV was particularly bad for Romania in 2018 and it is the first time when Bulgaria has a real hope to access Schengen Area, while Romania does not.
Also, the main party in power in Romania (the Social-Democrats) significantly lost in vote intentions for next elections (EU Parliament and local Parliament) [citation needed] and recently lost majority within the Chamber of Deputies.
The opposition can use all these to gain political advantage in the elections to come.
So, my answer to your question is:
The common citizen can protest against what he/she sees as undemocratic government decisions. Typically there are some effects since the country is far from being isolated (e.g. Romania is both within EU and NATO).
In Romania's case there was significant political pressure from both US and EU.
I will take the bait since I was one of those that inhaled lot of tear gas on 10th of August 2018 and I am also following the local politics in Romania.
Paul Johnson's answer is what I feel is the right answer legally and democratically. However, this also requires time (at least until the next elections). In Romania's case, you can also choose one of the opposition parties (PNL, USR, RO+ etc.).
they can do it and the people pretty much have to watch (especially
if some protest ends badly like the one in Romania from August the
10th)... Then wait for the next elections.
Despite the 10th of August protests ending bad for the protesters, it also ended bad for the Government (source) due to international reactions:
The events on 10 August also lead to international reactions. Austrian
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz strongly condemned the "violent
confrontations in Bucharest, at which numerous protesters and
journalists were injured" (..) In the context of the Mechanism for
Cooperation and Verification, the European Commission follows the
events with worry and gives an increased importance to the
independence of the judiciary system and of the fight against
corruption.
MCV was particularly bad for Romania in 2018 and it is the first time when Bulgaria has a real hope to access Schengen Area, while Romania does not.
Also, the main party in power in Romania (the Social-Democrats) significantly lost in vote intentions for next elections (EU Parliament and local Parliament) [citation needed] and recently lost majority within the Chamber of Deputies.
The opposition can use all these to gain political advantage in the elections to come.
So, my answer to your question is:
The common citizen can protest against what he/she sees as undemocratic government decisions. Typically there are some effects since the country is far from being isolated (e.g. Romania is both within EU and NATO).
In Romania's case there was significant political pressure from both US and EU.
edited Dec 6 '18 at 10:48
Peter A. Schneider
2,347718
2,347718
answered Dec 5 '18 at 18:38
AlexeiAlexei
16k2091168
16k2091168
4
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
1
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
add a comment |
4
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
1
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
4
4
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
Good point about protests which seem to have been lost by the protesters actually costing the government much more. Another example is Hungary after 2006. The protests were suppressed with such brutality that the opposition won the next election with a very wide margin and those who governed in 2006 couldn't recover ever since.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:10
1
1
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
I took the liberty to emphasize the core of your answer (a single asterisk seemed to indicate that you wanted to do that).-- And I wish you luck and success.
– Peter A. Schneider
Dec 6 '18 at 10:49
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
@PeterA.Schneider - yes, thank you. Next general (parliamentary) elections are critical to end going further from EU, so we will need a lot of luck.
– Alexei
Dec 6 '18 at 11:06
add a comment |
Most every democracy has free speech protections. The key to defending democratic principles is to use the hell out of them. Start a YouTube channel. Write a blog. Submit articles to web sites who share your opinions. Get active on social media. Start a local group with like-minded individuals. Make rational, passionate arguments for all to see. Use your creative talents to artistically illustrate a point. Use your charisma to win people over to your way of thinking.
If you're right and your opposition is wrong, people will see it. People will be persuaded, even if it takes a long time. Fight for the long game. If you're the one who's wrong, make sure you have the humility and the self-reflection to own up to it. That will endear you to other people.
The strength of a democracy is not found in the leaders who control its institutions, but whether or not those leaders properly fear for their jobs if they screw up those institutions.
1
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
5
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
1
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
6
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
|
show 3 more comments
Most every democracy has free speech protections. The key to defending democratic principles is to use the hell out of them. Start a YouTube channel. Write a blog. Submit articles to web sites who share your opinions. Get active on social media. Start a local group with like-minded individuals. Make rational, passionate arguments for all to see. Use your creative talents to artistically illustrate a point. Use your charisma to win people over to your way of thinking.
If you're right and your opposition is wrong, people will see it. People will be persuaded, even if it takes a long time. Fight for the long game. If you're the one who's wrong, make sure you have the humility and the self-reflection to own up to it. That will endear you to other people.
The strength of a democracy is not found in the leaders who control its institutions, but whether or not those leaders properly fear for their jobs if they screw up those institutions.
1
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
5
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
1
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
6
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
|
show 3 more comments
Most every democracy has free speech protections. The key to defending democratic principles is to use the hell out of them. Start a YouTube channel. Write a blog. Submit articles to web sites who share your opinions. Get active on social media. Start a local group with like-minded individuals. Make rational, passionate arguments for all to see. Use your creative talents to artistically illustrate a point. Use your charisma to win people over to your way of thinking.
If you're right and your opposition is wrong, people will see it. People will be persuaded, even if it takes a long time. Fight for the long game. If you're the one who's wrong, make sure you have the humility and the self-reflection to own up to it. That will endear you to other people.
The strength of a democracy is not found in the leaders who control its institutions, but whether or not those leaders properly fear for their jobs if they screw up those institutions.
Most every democracy has free speech protections. The key to defending democratic principles is to use the hell out of them. Start a YouTube channel. Write a blog. Submit articles to web sites who share your opinions. Get active on social media. Start a local group with like-minded individuals. Make rational, passionate arguments for all to see. Use your creative talents to artistically illustrate a point. Use your charisma to win people over to your way of thinking.
If you're right and your opposition is wrong, people will see it. People will be persuaded, even if it takes a long time. Fight for the long game. If you're the one who's wrong, make sure you have the humility and the self-reflection to own up to it. That will endear you to other people.
The strength of a democracy is not found in the leaders who control its institutions, but whether or not those leaders properly fear for their jobs if they screw up those institutions.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 19:29
Wes SayeedWes Sayeed
8,14031541
8,14031541
1
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
5
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
1
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
6
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
|
show 3 more comments
1
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
5
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
1
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
6
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
1
1
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
I'd add that creating or signing petitions (such as on change.org and other websites) that are delivered to representatives can be done by any citizen.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 0:10
5
5
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
"Start a YouTube channel" - good luck with that now after they started purging videos and whole channels on ideological grounds.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 7:06
1
1
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
This is the best answer. Democracy requires free speech, defending that for yourself and others is much more important than casting a vote every 4 or 5 years.
– rath
Dec 6 '18 at 8:42
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
@rath Defending free speech mostly means exercising it and casting (the right) vote every 4 or 5 years.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:50
6
6
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
@CramerTV : while the threshold for what constitutes "hate or violence" varies widely according to political and ideological affiliation. Mild disagreement coming from the right against some policies : Hate speech! Call for a violent communist revolution from the left: free speech! Try following or posting videos from different sides, and you'll see the patterns.
– vsz
Dec 6 '18 at 17:07
|
show 3 more comments
The bare minimum: VOTE
As provided in Paul Johnson's answer, is to join the political party. That answer is specific to becoming an activist. However, there are many more things that can be done.
Run for an elected office yourself. In many countries, there are lower level, more obscure, or more localized elected positions that are more easily obtainable.
Then, if not joining the politics directly, there is joining a career field that allows influence over politics. Journalism is a popular one.
Frequently, people forget about think tanks, watchdog groups, charities, or non-profit groups. Some of these are paid careers, some are voluntary.
Ultimately, the gateway for democratic governments is voting. You either cast your vote for someone you believe speaks for you or you convince others to give you their vote to speak on their behalf. There is little that can be done between votes from the outside.
Any leverage is applied to an elected politician through pressure or concern that they would lose their position, essentially. If a politician is swaying from their base, a protest or vocalization about the dissatisfaction usually occur. However, politicians wont change their tune unless it is more beneficial for them to listen than to keep their course. If pressure alone isn't enough, it escalates tension and civil unrest. The threats are usually to a politicians career, as in not being re-elected. Sometimes that devolves into more dire consequences.
Edit: Clarification to the language on leverage per comment suggestion.
3
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
2
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
1
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
1
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
add a comment |
The bare minimum: VOTE
As provided in Paul Johnson's answer, is to join the political party. That answer is specific to becoming an activist. However, there are many more things that can be done.
Run for an elected office yourself. In many countries, there are lower level, more obscure, or more localized elected positions that are more easily obtainable.
Then, if not joining the politics directly, there is joining a career field that allows influence over politics. Journalism is a popular one.
Frequently, people forget about think tanks, watchdog groups, charities, or non-profit groups. Some of these are paid careers, some are voluntary.
Ultimately, the gateway for democratic governments is voting. You either cast your vote for someone you believe speaks for you or you convince others to give you their vote to speak on their behalf. There is little that can be done between votes from the outside.
Any leverage is applied to an elected politician through pressure or concern that they would lose their position, essentially. If a politician is swaying from their base, a protest or vocalization about the dissatisfaction usually occur. However, politicians wont change their tune unless it is more beneficial for them to listen than to keep their course. If pressure alone isn't enough, it escalates tension and civil unrest. The threats are usually to a politicians career, as in not being re-elected. Sometimes that devolves into more dire consequences.
Edit: Clarification to the language on leverage per comment suggestion.
3
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
2
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
1
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
1
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
add a comment |
The bare minimum: VOTE
As provided in Paul Johnson's answer, is to join the political party. That answer is specific to becoming an activist. However, there are many more things that can be done.
Run for an elected office yourself. In many countries, there are lower level, more obscure, or more localized elected positions that are more easily obtainable.
Then, if not joining the politics directly, there is joining a career field that allows influence over politics. Journalism is a popular one.
Frequently, people forget about think tanks, watchdog groups, charities, or non-profit groups. Some of these are paid careers, some are voluntary.
Ultimately, the gateway for democratic governments is voting. You either cast your vote for someone you believe speaks for you or you convince others to give you their vote to speak on their behalf. There is little that can be done between votes from the outside.
Any leverage is applied to an elected politician through pressure or concern that they would lose their position, essentially. If a politician is swaying from their base, a protest or vocalization about the dissatisfaction usually occur. However, politicians wont change their tune unless it is more beneficial for them to listen than to keep their course. If pressure alone isn't enough, it escalates tension and civil unrest. The threats are usually to a politicians career, as in not being re-elected. Sometimes that devolves into more dire consequences.
Edit: Clarification to the language on leverage per comment suggestion.
The bare minimum: VOTE
As provided in Paul Johnson's answer, is to join the political party. That answer is specific to becoming an activist. However, there are many more things that can be done.
Run for an elected office yourself. In many countries, there are lower level, more obscure, or more localized elected positions that are more easily obtainable.
Then, if not joining the politics directly, there is joining a career field that allows influence over politics. Journalism is a popular one.
Frequently, people forget about think tanks, watchdog groups, charities, or non-profit groups. Some of these are paid careers, some are voluntary.
Ultimately, the gateway for democratic governments is voting. You either cast your vote for someone you believe speaks for you or you convince others to give you their vote to speak on their behalf. There is little that can be done between votes from the outside.
Any leverage is applied to an elected politician through pressure or concern that they would lose their position, essentially. If a politician is swaying from their base, a protest or vocalization about the dissatisfaction usually occur. However, politicians wont change their tune unless it is more beneficial for them to listen than to keep their course. If pressure alone isn't enough, it escalates tension and civil unrest. The threats are usually to a politicians career, as in not being re-elected. Sometimes that devolves into more dire consequences.
Edit: Clarification to the language on leverage per comment suggestion.
edited Dec 6 '18 at 17:17
answered Dec 5 '18 at 18:47
David SDavid S
1,378220
1,378220
3
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
2
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
1
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
1
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
add a comment |
3
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
2
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
1
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
1
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
3
3
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
In rigged democratic systems voting is helpless. It only legitimise the system. Rather, do not vote.
– luchonacho
Dec 6 '18 at 11:47
2
2
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
@luchonacho Ahh, that illuminates a different question. However, voting and my answer still applies in many situations. There are various game changers in how to engage with the system. In highly corrupt systems the best answer would likely be different from less corrupt ones.
– David S
Dec 6 '18 at 15:20
1
1
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
As a suggestion to improve the answer, I would offer that threat is being misused in this context. "Threat" implies hostile action (per the dictionary). Removing one's support for someone does not have to be hostile in any way. I get what you're saying but since a significant number of people on these sites aren't native English speakers it behooves us to use the most accurate wording in our answers. Just a suggestion.
– CramerTV
Dec 6 '18 at 16:45
1
1
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
"Low level, easily obtainable political seats" is how my mother ended up as a township supervisor (one of 5). Flipped the color of our township for the first time in history.
– Draco18s
Dec 6 '18 at 18:35
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
@luchonacho your comment needs more detail. There can be rigging at multiple levels. But I think the first fight is for the vote if the system is rigged and your vote can't be cast or turns into something else! Before this fight, there can be study, discussion and deliberation with others or on your own.
– Champ
Dec 6 '18 at 20:33
add a comment |
Change the Political Culture!
Even if political leaders have just won an election, they usually worry about what will happen in the next election. So they worry about the political climate. They will not follow through with decisions if they are widely unpopular.
What you can do is to do your small bit in influencing the public debate and culture. If a person in a subway train says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person at the supermarket checkout comments on a newspaper headline you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person posts something online you consider outrageous, vote it down and post that's wrong! If a person in a bar says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong!
If people say or write outrageous things and nobody contradicts, then everybody starts to think that is normal. It will encourage those people to say and do even more outrageous things, and it will discourage others to speak out because nobody likes to be in the minority. That's an uncomfortable place to be in any debate and also in one's own mind, but if nobody speaks up against outrages how can you find out if you really are in a minority?
Depending on where you live, it might make sense to hold back if you fear that it could lead to a brawl. Or if you had a hard day at work and you don't want that argument now. But the way politics work, silence is interpreted as consent. Don't be silent.
The voice of a single voter won't mean much. The voices of many voters mean a lot. How will you find out if you are one of many if you don't talk?
add a comment |
Change the Political Culture!
Even if political leaders have just won an election, they usually worry about what will happen in the next election. So they worry about the political climate. They will not follow through with decisions if they are widely unpopular.
What you can do is to do your small bit in influencing the public debate and culture. If a person in a subway train says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person at the supermarket checkout comments on a newspaper headline you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person posts something online you consider outrageous, vote it down and post that's wrong! If a person in a bar says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong!
If people say or write outrageous things and nobody contradicts, then everybody starts to think that is normal. It will encourage those people to say and do even more outrageous things, and it will discourage others to speak out because nobody likes to be in the minority. That's an uncomfortable place to be in any debate and also in one's own mind, but if nobody speaks up against outrages how can you find out if you really are in a minority?
Depending on where you live, it might make sense to hold back if you fear that it could lead to a brawl. Or if you had a hard day at work and you don't want that argument now. But the way politics work, silence is interpreted as consent. Don't be silent.
The voice of a single voter won't mean much. The voices of many voters mean a lot. How will you find out if you are one of many if you don't talk?
add a comment |
Change the Political Culture!
Even if political leaders have just won an election, they usually worry about what will happen in the next election. So they worry about the political climate. They will not follow through with decisions if they are widely unpopular.
What you can do is to do your small bit in influencing the public debate and culture. If a person in a subway train says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person at the supermarket checkout comments on a newspaper headline you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person posts something online you consider outrageous, vote it down and post that's wrong! If a person in a bar says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong!
If people say or write outrageous things and nobody contradicts, then everybody starts to think that is normal. It will encourage those people to say and do even more outrageous things, and it will discourage others to speak out because nobody likes to be in the minority. That's an uncomfortable place to be in any debate and also in one's own mind, but if nobody speaks up against outrages how can you find out if you really are in a minority?
Depending on where you live, it might make sense to hold back if you fear that it could lead to a brawl. Or if you had a hard day at work and you don't want that argument now. But the way politics work, silence is interpreted as consent. Don't be silent.
The voice of a single voter won't mean much. The voices of many voters mean a lot. How will you find out if you are one of many if you don't talk?
Change the Political Culture!
Even if political leaders have just won an election, they usually worry about what will happen in the next election. So they worry about the political climate. They will not follow through with decisions if they are widely unpopular.
What you can do is to do your small bit in influencing the public debate and culture. If a person in a subway train says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person at the supermarket checkout comments on a newspaper headline you consider outrageous, say that's wrong! If a person posts something online you consider outrageous, vote it down and post that's wrong! If a person in a bar says something you consider outrageous, say that's wrong!
If people say or write outrageous things and nobody contradicts, then everybody starts to think that is normal. It will encourage those people to say and do even more outrageous things, and it will discourage others to speak out because nobody likes to be in the minority. That's an uncomfortable place to be in any debate and also in one's own mind, but if nobody speaks up against outrages how can you find out if you really are in a minority?
Depending on where you live, it might make sense to hold back if you fear that it could lead to a brawl. Or if you had a hard day at work and you don't want that argument now. But the way politics work, silence is interpreted as consent. Don't be silent.
The voice of a single voter won't mean much. The voices of many voters mean a lot. How will you find out if you are one of many if you don't talk?
edited Dec 6 '18 at 6:20
answered Dec 6 '18 at 6:07
o.m.o.m.
6,87711224
6,87711224
add a comment |
add a comment |
Other answers have discussed various kinds of activism. However, while these methods have focused on time commitments like volunteering, protesting, phone banks, etc, there is another less direct form of activism, namely financial.
This can be a monetary contribution directly to a particular candidate, or to a group whose cause you support, or to more generic party organizations. But by donating money you help support a cause you believe in. (Note: this answer is focused on small time donations, from "the common citizen")
This doesn't have to be a lot of money to make a difference. A few examples. The NRA was quite successful, mostly being funded through individual contributions (let's keep this simple and say, only consider before the turn of the century). Bernie Sanders received the majority (57%) of his 2016 funds from small time donors (<$200). And most recently, Susan Collin's as-yet-unknown opponent has received over 3.7 million dollars, with over $1.7 million of that coming from people only donating $20.20.
add a comment |
Other answers have discussed various kinds of activism. However, while these methods have focused on time commitments like volunteering, protesting, phone banks, etc, there is another less direct form of activism, namely financial.
This can be a monetary contribution directly to a particular candidate, or to a group whose cause you support, or to more generic party organizations. But by donating money you help support a cause you believe in. (Note: this answer is focused on small time donations, from "the common citizen")
This doesn't have to be a lot of money to make a difference. A few examples. The NRA was quite successful, mostly being funded through individual contributions (let's keep this simple and say, only consider before the turn of the century). Bernie Sanders received the majority (57%) of his 2016 funds from small time donors (<$200). And most recently, Susan Collin's as-yet-unknown opponent has received over 3.7 million dollars, with over $1.7 million of that coming from people only donating $20.20.
add a comment |
Other answers have discussed various kinds of activism. However, while these methods have focused on time commitments like volunteering, protesting, phone banks, etc, there is another less direct form of activism, namely financial.
This can be a monetary contribution directly to a particular candidate, or to a group whose cause you support, or to more generic party organizations. But by donating money you help support a cause you believe in. (Note: this answer is focused on small time donations, from "the common citizen")
This doesn't have to be a lot of money to make a difference. A few examples. The NRA was quite successful, mostly being funded through individual contributions (let's keep this simple and say, only consider before the turn of the century). Bernie Sanders received the majority (57%) of his 2016 funds from small time donors (<$200). And most recently, Susan Collin's as-yet-unknown opponent has received over 3.7 million dollars, with over $1.7 million of that coming from people only donating $20.20.
Other answers have discussed various kinds of activism. However, while these methods have focused on time commitments like volunteering, protesting, phone banks, etc, there is another less direct form of activism, namely financial.
This can be a monetary contribution directly to a particular candidate, or to a group whose cause you support, or to more generic party organizations. But by donating money you help support a cause you believe in. (Note: this answer is focused on small time donations, from "the common citizen")
This doesn't have to be a lot of money to make a difference. A few examples. The NRA was quite successful, mostly being funded through individual contributions (let's keep this simple and say, only consider before the turn of the century). Bernie Sanders received the majority (57%) of his 2016 funds from small time donors (<$200). And most recently, Susan Collin's as-yet-unknown opponent has received over 3.7 million dollars, with over $1.7 million of that coming from people only donating $20.20.
answered Dec 6 '18 at 15:15
BurnsBABurnsBA
35919
35919
add a comment |
add a comment |
I disagree with you that citizens have no power in a democracy aside from voting and protest. Voting is quite powerful. If you want political power beyond the vote, you can write an influential book or conduct research on topics you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Politicians often use the works of others to inform their decisions. If you do not have sufficient knowledge or skills to be influential in this way, you can still influence others in your social circles by demonstrating your views to them. Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction. Then people will take notice, and may even incorporate your ways into their worldview. Democracy is a way to balance political power across people, but some are still more influential than others.
1
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
add a comment |
I disagree with you that citizens have no power in a democracy aside from voting and protest. Voting is quite powerful. If you want political power beyond the vote, you can write an influential book or conduct research on topics you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Politicians often use the works of others to inform their decisions. If you do not have sufficient knowledge or skills to be influential in this way, you can still influence others in your social circles by demonstrating your views to them. Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction. Then people will take notice, and may even incorporate your ways into their worldview. Democracy is a way to balance political power across people, but some are still more influential than others.
1
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
add a comment |
I disagree with you that citizens have no power in a democracy aside from voting and protest. Voting is quite powerful. If you want political power beyond the vote, you can write an influential book or conduct research on topics you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Politicians often use the works of others to inform their decisions. If you do not have sufficient knowledge or skills to be influential in this way, you can still influence others in your social circles by demonstrating your views to them. Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction. Then people will take notice, and may even incorporate your ways into their worldview. Democracy is a way to balance political power across people, but some are still more influential than others.
I disagree with you that citizens have no power in a democracy aside from voting and protest. Voting is quite powerful. If you want political power beyond the vote, you can write an influential book or conduct research on topics you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Politicians often use the works of others to inform their decisions. If you do not have sufficient knowledge or skills to be influential in this way, you can still influence others in your social circles by demonstrating your views to them. Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction. Then people will take notice, and may even incorporate your ways into their worldview. Democracy is a way to balance political power across people, but some are still more influential than others.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:45
KamRaKamRa
212
212
1
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
add a comment |
1
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
1
1
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
"Try to live out your principles truthfully and with conviction." If something would be illegal but you think that it should be allowed as a matter of principle, you still cannot live it out. In a democracy you can say what you want, but you can not do what you want if doing what you want is illegal. You have to convince a majority before you can live it out.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 16:56
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
Yes, your point is correct. To clarify: people should live out their principles as truthfully as they can within the current law of the land.
– KamRa
Dec 7 '18 at 20:20
add a comment |
Read
Find out what others think of what "democracy principles" means. A lot of great scholars have written a lot of great things about these concepts. Being from the US, myself, I would naturally defer to the founding fathers of the US in a great many cases, but they are by no means the only people who have written on the topic!
Think
Why do we have democratic principles? What are the underlying goals of them? Why do we have a process which isn't 100% perfectly in line with those principles? There are practical reasons for this. Understand when we benefit from these deviations. They aren't always bad. Think it through. Don't assume anyone else tells you the right answer.
Talk
Let ideas get shared. You, as a single citizen, really can't do all that much to change the course of a nation. Arguably, it is designed that way on purpose. However, by sharing ideas, you can align with others and a large number of citizens can often do things to shape the nation that small numbers cannot. Many of the examples of becoming an activist fit in this category. Share ideas. Get ideas from others. Learn and grow.
add a comment |
Read
Find out what others think of what "democracy principles" means. A lot of great scholars have written a lot of great things about these concepts. Being from the US, myself, I would naturally defer to the founding fathers of the US in a great many cases, but they are by no means the only people who have written on the topic!
Think
Why do we have democratic principles? What are the underlying goals of them? Why do we have a process which isn't 100% perfectly in line with those principles? There are practical reasons for this. Understand when we benefit from these deviations. They aren't always bad. Think it through. Don't assume anyone else tells you the right answer.
Talk
Let ideas get shared. You, as a single citizen, really can't do all that much to change the course of a nation. Arguably, it is designed that way on purpose. However, by sharing ideas, you can align with others and a large number of citizens can often do things to shape the nation that small numbers cannot. Many of the examples of becoming an activist fit in this category. Share ideas. Get ideas from others. Learn and grow.
add a comment |
Read
Find out what others think of what "democracy principles" means. A lot of great scholars have written a lot of great things about these concepts. Being from the US, myself, I would naturally defer to the founding fathers of the US in a great many cases, but they are by no means the only people who have written on the topic!
Think
Why do we have democratic principles? What are the underlying goals of them? Why do we have a process which isn't 100% perfectly in line with those principles? There are practical reasons for this. Understand when we benefit from these deviations. They aren't always bad. Think it through. Don't assume anyone else tells you the right answer.
Talk
Let ideas get shared. You, as a single citizen, really can't do all that much to change the course of a nation. Arguably, it is designed that way on purpose. However, by sharing ideas, you can align with others and a large number of citizens can often do things to shape the nation that small numbers cannot. Many of the examples of becoming an activist fit in this category. Share ideas. Get ideas from others. Learn and grow.
Read
Find out what others think of what "democracy principles" means. A lot of great scholars have written a lot of great things about these concepts. Being from the US, myself, I would naturally defer to the founding fathers of the US in a great many cases, but they are by no means the only people who have written on the topic!
Think
Why do we have democratic principles? What are the underlying goals of them? Why do we have a process which isn't 100% perfectly in line with those principles? There are practical reasons for this. Understand when we benefit from these deviations. They aren't always bad. Think it through. Don't assume anyone else tells you the right answer.
Talk
Let ideas get shared. You, as a single citizen, really can't do all that much to change the course of a nation. Arguably, it is designed that way on purpose. However, by sharing ideas, you can align with others and a large number of citizens can often do things to shape the nation that small numbers cannot. Many of the examples of becoming an activist fit in this category. Share ideas. Get ideas from others. Learn and grow.
answered Dec 6 '18 at 22:39
Cort AmmonCort Ammon
88738
88738
add a comment |
add a comment |
Organise a protest with a convergence of multiple actors. If there is sufficient anger among the public, it will escalate and become powerful enough to be taken seriously by the elite (like it just happened in France). It's a risk worth taking. If it does not escalate, then there is no sufficient fuel yet for it.
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
1
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
add a comment |
Organise a protest with a convergence of multiple actors. If there is sufficient anger among the public, it will escalate and become powerful enough to be taken seriously by the elite (like it just happened in France). It's a risk worth taking. If it does not escalate, then there is no sufficient fuel yet for it.
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
1
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
add a comment |
Organise a protest with a convergence of multiple actors. If there is sufficient anger among the public, it will escalate and become powerful enough to be taken seriously by the elite (like it just happened in France). It's a risk worth taking. If it does not escalate, then there is no sufficient fuel yet for it.
Organise a protest with a convergence of multiple actors. If there is sufficient anger among the public, it will escalate and become powerful enough to be taken seriously by the elite (like it just happened in France). It's a risk worth taking. If it does not escalate, then there is no sufficient fuel yet for it.
answered Dec 6 '18 at 11:34
MacronFailedMacronFailed
191
191
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
1
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
add a comment |
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
1
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
Not sure if this is a good example for defending democracy. France had democratic elections this year and the recent protesters are more akin to a loud minority. Don't want to say what they want is wrong, but the violent parts of the protests do not seem to be compatible with a democratic discourse in my eyes.
– Trilarion
Dec 6 '18 at 17:00
1
1
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
@Trilarion We had no election this (last ones were in June 2017), and the next ones are the EU's in may 2019 and the municipals in 2020. Which makes me really surprised they decided to fold. Then again, it's "funny" how protesters are despised by the general public when it's for better public services, but acclaimed as heroes when it's for driving cars...
– Luris
Dec 7 '18 at 7:31
add a comment |
There are some good answers here but I didn't see any mention of the ultimate power of the citizen, at least in the United States. Here we have the ability to recall elected officials. Get enough people to sign a petition and a special election will be called to decide if the official should get recalled out of office.
4
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
add a comment |
There are some good answers here but I didn't see any mention of the ultimate power of the citizen, at least in the United States. Here we have the ability to recall elected officials. Get enough people to sign a petition and a special election will be called to decide if the official should get recalled out of office.
4
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
add a comment |
There are some good answers here but I didn't see any mention of the ultimate power of the citizen, at least in the United States. Here we have the ability to recall elected officials. Get enough people to sign a petition and a special election will be called to decide if the official should get recalled out of office.
There are some good answers here but I didn't see any mention of the ultimate power of the citizen, at least in the United States. Here we have the ability to recall elected officials. Get enough people to sign a petition and a special election will be called to decide if the official should get recalled out of office.
answered Dec 6 '18 at 13:24
JoeJoe
27018
27018
4
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
add a comment |
4
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
4
4
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
That's only true for some states in the US, and only some officials in most cases. Here's a breakdown, but what it boils down to is that many people don't have this "ultimate power" at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:39
add a comment |
I'll answer with a personal example, as someone who prefers living in a free society but was born in one of the least democratic countries in the world. The solution is...
Emigration
If you look at our society from a wider perspective, there's absolutely no reason for a person to feel obligated to support a given country simply because they were born there. If a person from New Zealand is willing to adapt to Belgian society and Belgium is willing to grant this person a residency permit, there's no reason why this person couldn't forever leave their birth country and feel no allegiance to any government except the one in Brussels.
Therefore as a person who's goal is to live in a more democratic society, you can always just pack your bags and go for greener pastures. Which is exactly what tens of millions of people around the world are doing as they're trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. As a bonus, leaving your country of birth will result in brain drain and the odds of it eventually being forced to reform are increased by a tiny percentage.
1
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
1
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
add a comment |
I'll answer with a personal example, as someone who prefers living in a free society but was born in one of the least democratic countries in the world. The solution is...
Emigration
If you look at our society from a wider perspective, there's absolutely no reason for a person to feel obligated to support a given country simply because they were born there. If a person from New Zealand is willing to adapt to Belgian society and Belgium is willing to grant this person a residency permit, there's no reason why this person couldn't forever leave their birth country and feel no allegiance to any government except the one in Brussels.
Therefore as a person who's goal is to live in a more democratic society, you can always just pack your bags and go for greener pastures. Which is exactly what tens of millions of people around the world are doing as they're trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. As a bonus, leaving your country of birth will result in brain drain and the odds of it eventually being forced to reform are increased by a tiny percentage.
1
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
1
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
add a comment |
I'll answer with a personal example, as someone who prefers living in a free society but was born in one of the least democratic countries in the world. The solution is...
Emigration
If you look at our society from a wider perspective, there's absolutely no reason for a person to feel obligated to support a given country simply because they were born there. If a person from New Zealand is willing to adapt to Belgian society and Belgium is willing to grant this person a residency permit, there's no reason why this person couldn't forever leave their birth country and feel no allegiance to any government except the one in Brussels.
Therefore as a person who's goal is to live in a more democratic society, you can always just pack your bags and go for greener pastures. Which is exactly what tens of millions of people around the world are doing as they're trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. As a bonus, leaving your country of birth will result in brain drain and the odds of it eventually being forced to reform are increased by a tiny percentage.
I'll answer with a personal example, as someone who prefers living in a free society but was born in one of the least democratic countries in the world. The solution is...
Emigration
If you look at our society from a wider perspective, there's absolutely no reason for a person to feel obligated to support a given country simply because they were born there. If a person from New Zealand is willing to adapt to Belgian society and Belgium is willing to grant this person a residency permit, there's no reason why this person couldn't forever leave their birth country and feel no allegiance to any government except the one in Brussels.
Therefore as a person who's goal is to live in a more democratic society, you can always just pack your bags and go for greener pastures. Which is exactly what tens of millions of people around the world are doing as they're trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. As a bonus, leaving your country of birth will result in brain drain and the odds of it eventually being forced to reform are increased by a tiny percentage.
edited Dec 7 '18 at 19:45
answered Dec 7 '18 at 6:43
JonathanReezJonathanReez
13.3k1476151
13.3k1476151
1
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
1
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
add a comment |
1
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
1
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
1
1
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
This is the solution adopted by millions of people in the country I live, but I think OP involves not leaving the country. Also, if by "one of the least democratic countries" in the world, you are talking about Czech Republic, I think the assumption is not fair.
– Alexei
Dec 7 '18 at 8:06
1
1
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
Exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to read for this question. Vote with your feet, remove yourself and your money from the country, find somewhere better.
– Dark Hippo
Dec 7 '18 at 9:35
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
@Alexei my birth country is not Czech Republic :)
– JonathanReez
Dec 7 '18 at 11:31
add a comment |
Encourage your country to join a supra-national organisation such as the EU or the Council of Europe (which has nothing to do with the EU but is the governing body for the European Convention on Human Rights) which limit the undemocratic options that your national government can take unless it is prepared to break international law and abrogate treaties.
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
Encourage your country to join a supra-national organisation such as the EU or the Council of Europe (which has nothing to do with the EU but is the governing body for the European Convention on Human Rights) which limit the undemocratic options that your national government can take unless it is prepared to break international law and abrogate treaties.
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
Encourage your country to join a supra-national organisation such as the EU or the Council of Europe (which has nothing to do with the EU but is the governing body for the European Convention on Human Rights) which limit the undemocratic options that your national government can take unless it is prepared to break international law and abrogate treaties.
Encourage your country to join a supra-national organisation such as the EU or the Council of Europe (which has nothing to do with the EU but is the governing body for the European Convention on Human Rights) which limit the undemocratic options that your national government can take unless it is prepared to break international law and abrogate treaties.
answered Dec 8 '18 at 8:22
Mike ScottMike Scott
97637
97637
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
I think the OP does not know how to "Encourage" as used in your answer! And that is part of his question.
– Champ
Dec 13 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
In corrupt democratic systems (and also more widely), a good option is not to vote. This is a protest suggesting the democratic system is illegitimate/corrupt. There is a good analysis of the consequences of abstention here.
Related, voting null or blank is another form of protest. An analysis of this is here.
2
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
add a comment |
In corrupt democratic systems (and also more widely), a good option is not to vote. This is a protest suggesting the democratic system is illegitimate/corrupt. There is a good analysis of the consequences of abstention here.
Related, voting null or blank is another form of protest. An analysis of this is here.
2
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
add a comment |
In corrupt democratic systems (and also more widely), a good option is not to vote. This is a protest suggesting the democratic system is illegitimate/corrupt. There is a good analysis of the consequences of abstention here.
Related, voting null or blank is another form of protest. An analysis of this is here.
In corrupt democratic systems (and also more widely), a good option is not to vote. This is a protest suggesting the democratic system is illegitimate/corrupt. There is a good analysis of the consequences of abstention here.
Related, voting null or blank is another form of protest. An analysis of this is here.
edited Dec 6 '18 at 11:56
answered Dec 6 '18 at 11:45
luchonacholuchonacho
1,5771725
1,5771725
2
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
add a comment |
2
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
2
2
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the abstention paper really only shows the power of abstention in races with more than two candidates who use a runoff-style election. In other cases, I don't see how it helps at all.
– Geobits
Dec 6 '18 at 13:51
add a comment |
closed as too broad by Bregalad, Glorfindel, Samuel Russell, curiousdannii, Thunderforge Dec 8 '18 at 15:16
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
4
the streets to protest some event or situation
Street protests are antidemocratic by nature, because protesters have a (much) louder voice than non-protesters, and this fails the "one person=one vote" principle.– Bregalad
Dec 5 '18 at 19:42
4
One person has no power. One million people have a lot of power. If you can get (say) 999,999 other people to agree with you and take action, then you may have the ability to do something.
– immibis
Dec 5 '18 at 21:53
47
@Bregalad By that measure, any form of campaign at all would be regarded as undemocratic. A voice isn't a vote, no matter how loud, and "freedom of assembly" isn't some radical idea undermining democratic principles, it IS one.
– Beanluc
Dec 5 '18 at 22:18
9
@Chloe: because there are worse systems out there (I lived through communism for example - not fun at all). My question was not how to make democracy perfect, it will never be perfect. But a dictatorship is far worse than a democracy with some level of corruption so it's better to defend as much of it as you can than shrug your shoulders and wait to see what happens.
– Pips
Dec 6 '18 at 10:24
4
@Pips Before any wrong pedants say "but communism is an economic system, not a political one" and ignore the connotations of the word in favor of the literal definition, I want to add that there are plenty of stories from people who lived through fascist Italy, and they would have happily confirmed that a dictatorship is far worse than a somewhat corrupt democracy.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 6 '18 at 18:31