Thoughts on Democracy - 1

A democracy is its people.

Some say that democracy depends on participation. That the people know exactly what is best for their government and that if only we give the people more control over their government, the government will better reflect the will of the people and perform better as a result.

Let's call them the mobilizers.

Others say that democracy depends on education. That the people do not currently know what is best for their government and that the people need to be better educated in order for more appropriate leaders to be voted into office and for government to run in a better way.

Let's call them the informers.

We think it is a bit of both. Participation and education are two critical factors for a healthy democracy.

If the people don't participate, then their will won't be reflected in government. And if the people aren't informed on the issues or where their politicians stand, they will not vote in such a way that reflects their values and improves their lives.

Still others are more cynical.

On the one side, some people believe that no matter how educated and participatory the voters, there will always be powerful interests, wealthy donors, and charismatic politicians who will shift the results in their favor.

Let's call them the pessimistic nihilists.

On the other side, some people believe that no matter how educated and participatory the voters, the voters will always select for the wrong candidates, the ones who are the most charismatic and pandering rather than the most competent, or the ones who promise them the most stuff rather than push for the most sound long-term policies. These people believe that the donor classes and think tanks are the ones who will have the best answers for the population.

Let's call them the democracy skeptics.

We think that the mobilizers, the informers, the pessimistic nihilists, and the democracy skeptics all have a point, but that the truth is most centered around a definite positive future for a stronger democracy.

There do indeed lay challenges ahead for democracy, and there will always be powerful forces trying to co-opt it. It is indeed true that the people are often misinformed on issues like economics. But it is definitively the case that we can produce better results with a more informed and better engaged populous.

We aim to make that change.