Bombast, Demagogy, Adage, and Hype about Democracy

Democratic Bombast,

Demagogy, Adage, and Hype

The citizens of the United States live in a cult of democratic veneration and delusion. Most Americans believe they live in a profoundly democratic society, and their sense of identity and mindset is strongly influenced by the hype and myth of their democratic lore. To most people “democracy” is a familiar term, but a misunderstood and often misused concept. The public is most often scarcely able to explicitly or coherently specify what it entails. Democracy in the US is typically described with the bombastic adulation of a few worn mantras.
Consider for example the following statements which have been gathered and paraphrased from various forum discussions on democracy. Although often naive and Pollyannaish, these statements and assertions are fairly regular staples of the American vernacular. Most of these statements should cause amusement, incredulity, dismay, or outright offence, and yet they are most often received in discussions as obvious, coherent, and un-debatable.

1. Democracy is an “uncontested good.”
2. Democracy is the best form of government mankind currently has.
3. Democracy is the fairest way to organize a human society.
4. Democracy is one of the greatest gifts the West has given to humanity.
5. Democracy is ipso facto best, and our political superiority rests upon it.
6. No other system has given so many people so much civil liberty, freedom, and equality.
7. Political institutions should be judged according to their realization of democratic ideals.
8. The democratic ideals are sublime. There is nothing wrong with democracy as such. Any shortcomings are the consequence of deviations from, or perversions of, the ideals.
9. Democracy may not be perfect in practice, but there is no better alternative.

10. Democracy is the only form of government people view as morally legitimate.
11. Democracy is the only form of government that is capable of satisfying international covenants on civil and political rights.
12. The democratic ideals are so compelling that people around the world have dedicated or sacrificed their lives in pursuit of them.
13. Voting in a democratic election is a tremendous privilege coveted by everyone.
14. The USA is the noblest experiment in governance ever attempted.
15. The USA is the epitome of democracy; the best form of government the world has ever known.
16. The world envies the USA and its democratic form of government.
17. The USA has freedoms which those in other countries don’t have, and wish they did.
18. The USA is the freest country in the world.
19. The USA elects the “leader of the free world.”
20. The rest of the world dreams of coming to the USA.
21. Living in a democracy is the equivalent of living in freedom.
22. Democracy is the “institutionalization” of freedom.
23. Democracy means a free country, with a freely elected government.
24. Voting in a democracy keeps a country free. (If no one voted, freedom would soon be lost.)
25. Democracy respects a person’s sovereignty and volition.
26. Democracy means self-rule; the sacred right of self-government.
27. An individual in a democracy can essentially choose his own future.
28. Democracy extends self-determination to the political realm.
29. In a democracy, the authority of the government derives solely from the consent of the governed.
30. The people are sovereign—they are the ultimate political authority.
31. Supreme power is vested in the people and proceeds from the people to the leaders of government, who hold power only temporarily and as permitted.
32. Democracy is morally legitimate. Citizens must unquestioningly accept it as a valid principle for sovereignty, submit to democratic governmental authority, and serve their country.
33. The citizens of a democracy submit to the law because they recognize that, however indirectly, they are submitting to themselves as makers of the law.
34. Essentially, the laws are established by the very people who must obey them.
35. The will of the people is expressed through representatives elected by the people.
36. The only way democracy works is if citizens are active participants.
37. Expanding and deepening democracy improves it.
38. Increasing voter participation is important.
39. Higher voter turn-out is inherently better and produces better results.
40. Making voting easier increases participation, and improves the results.
41. Elections make democratic government responsive to the will of the people.
42. The less people vote, the less representative the government is of the people.
43. Democracy allows you to voice your opinion—right or wrong.
44. Everyone has a right to be heard.
45. Everyone deserves a voice in their own governance.
46. Everyone has the right to influence decisions affecting them.
47. Everyone has the right to a public audience; to make their grievances known; to not “suffer without recourse.”
48. Voting is a way for citizens to get their opinions heard and respected.
49. Elections afford the opportunity to speak your mind. Your vote is your voice; the only person who can silence your voice is you.

50. It is important to vote in elections and to have your opinion counted.
51. Democracy is about people standing up to be counted.
52. Democracy is about “free and fair” elections.
53. Free elections are the heart of American democracy.
54. Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities that citizens have.
55. Citizens of a democracy have a civic duty to vote, regardless of the cost or benefit to them.
56. Voting is the way to change things. Without voting, nothing truly changes.
57. Democracy prevents tyranny.
58. A democracy lacks the power to oppress.
59. Democratic government is answerable to the people.
60. Voting is the people’s ultimate override on the government’s power.
61. Democracy is a means for the people to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their conduct in office.
62. Democracies don’t go to war. Democracies coexist peacefully.
63. Democracies take better care of their citizens.
64. Democracy encourages moderation, compromise, and tolerance.
65. Democracy is fair. One-person one-vote makes people politically equal.
66. Voting is the only time all classes are equal in this country.
67. Democratic elections provide equal footing to the rich and poor alike.
68. In democracy the government promotes the interests of everyone in society, not just powerful interest groups.
69. In a democracy, one group does not always win everything it wants. Different combinations of groups win on different issues. Over time, everyone wins something.
70. Democracy is government of, by, and for, all the people.
71. Democracy will produce good results if the citizenry is correctly informed and sufficiently involved.
72. Not having acceptable candidates is the fault of the people. You should get involved in the political process and ensure that good candidates are recruited and supported.
73. The success or failure of the government is the citizens’ responsibility and no one else’s.
74. As a voter it is your responsibility to put the country into the right hands.
75. In a democracy, what the government does is just a reflection of the will of the people.
76. We get the government and results we deserve.
77. If democracy is failing, then it’s our own fault.
78. Your job as a citizen, and our goal as a nation, is to perfect Democracy.
79. Well-intentioned officials are corrupted by campaign financing and evil special interests.
80. Your job does not end at voting, you must continue to monitor and harangue elected officials.
81. If there is something wrong with the system, you must use the system to fix it.
82. You must work within the system in order to change it; revolution is unacceptable.
83. You must not “revolt” against the government.
84. People should question the decisions of the government, but not reject the government’s authority.

The above material was excerpted and or adapted from the book

“THE MYTH OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY:

The Deification of Democratic Governance and the Subversion of Individual Liberty”

available at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and other booksellers worldwide.

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