Reason and democracy - Essay Example

Reason and democracy Introduction Democracy refers to a governmental system under which all citizens eligible to the state have equal rights and say on matters that affect their lives. Democracy encourages equal participation of all eligible citizens in the electoral process and other indirect activities that involve development of the nation. The dimensions of democracy cover economic, cultural and social conditions that are facilitated by equality and freedom in practice. In reference to this brief introduction, it is therefore, rational to state that, to believe in reason is to believe in democracy. The idea behind a democratic government is based on reason and justifications to the citizens. Otherwise, it would be an autocratic form of leadership; whereby decisions are not questioned hence there is no need to rely feedback to the citizens on certain actions. To state that democracy is facilitated by reason is to mean that the actions with in the political arena should be based on reasons. In turn, this means that, in a democratic state disputes must be handled within reasons an independent factor and arguments that legitimize the application of state authority ought to be backed by reason. Therefore, to view democracy as a reflection of the reason is to view a democratic state, as a state committed to a rational pursuit of what is true. In his speech on (2009), the united state president Barrack Obama claimed that, American presumes no knowledge of everyones needs, but he believes that everyone yearns for certain things in life. These things include; the ability to share their thoughts on how they are governed; the ability to confide in the judicial system. In addition, citizens need to have a government they can confide in with their resources, and for the freedom to live as they may choose (Obamas Speech in Cairo 2009) In this sense, a true act of democracy must be supplied by reason. Democratic state, government in office are open and ready to supply all the essential facts of their actions to their citizens. This builds the citizens trust on the government in managing their resources, in the judicial system and their freedom to make their own chooses without state manipulation or threats (Obamas Speech in Cairo 2009).. If an individual believes that they are entitled to certain aspects in life, if one can clearly elaborate the reasons as to why they enjoy such rights as opposed to if they were not entitled to them, hence, they believe in democracy. In a judicial system, every judgment ought to be backed by reason. It is only in such circumstances that democracy is fulfilled. If a judge were to pass judgment on individuals without clarified reasons, then this would defile the aspect of democracy. Acts of democracy should be justifiable based on reason. In a dialogue between; Theseus from a democratic city, and Theban Herald from despotism city; Theseus tells Theban Herald that despotism is the most hostile thing to a city; where there are no laws applicable to all. A despot government is led by a tyrant, who holds the law in his hands and can do as he/she pleases. They form the overall authority, and they are above any form of law. His decisions are not questionable, and every citizen ought to abide by his orders without concrete reason. In this dialogue, Theuses explains to Theban the value in democracy; he claims that in his city everyone is equal, be they poor or rich since they are protected by law; if a weak man has a stronger argument as opposed to the strong man, then they win because they are protected by law (From the suppliants: Democracy or Despotism). From this dialogue, a conclusion can be made that believing in reason reflects one’s belief in democracy. Theseus managed to give all the reasons why he prefers democracy to despotism. He sees no relevance when parents accumulate wealth for their children, when in the long run the wealth will end up in the tyrant’s hands. He sees no meaning in striving to maintain virgins only for the tyrant to rape them whenever he pleases (From the suppliants: Democracy or Despotism) It is based on concrete judgment and reason that the United State President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the four freedom speech: the freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear (State of the Union Address "Four Freedom 1941). He proposed these four fundamental freedoms not only for the American citizen, but for everyone around the world. The proposal for these four freedoms was meant to eliminate the barbarous acts that have outraged mankind’s conscience. Only individuals who believe in reason make democratic decisions. In this case, the president developed an understanding on the needs of mankind in order to come up with this forms of freedom. It is out of reason the that a leader understands the citizens needs for freedom (State of the Union Address "Four Freedom 1941) The eleventh amendment of the United States constitution was focused on the United States sovereign immunity. This amendment was aimed at overruling the United States Supreme Court decision in relation the case of Chisholm vs. Georgia in 1793. In this case, it was ruled that the federal had the mandate to hear lawful cases and equity filed by private citizens against the state. Therefore, the state did not assume sovereign immunity against petitions filed by citizens from another state. The amendment overturned this ruling and the state was entitled to sovereign immunity. It is out of reason that an individual develops an understanding of their rights and freedom in respect to others. It is out of reason that an individual treats others as equal beings and not as tools to be manipulated and used for selfish gains. Conclusion Form the above arguments, it can therefore, be concluded that, one has to believe in reason in order to believe in democracy. To believe in democracy is to view fellow citizens as autonomous rational beings equally justified for respect under the law. Making judgments in relation to what an individual should believe forms an autonomous being. These judgments on what an individual should believe are formed on the basis of reason. Therefore, in a democratic state reason has to be supplied with every political decision, only then is respect reflected among citizens no their diversities. These reasons should be based on the truth. It is only at these circumstances that citizens are treated as rational and autonomous agents and not as tools to be manipulated and used for selfish gains. Read More