MY UNDERSTANDING OF TRUE DEMOCRACY: The principle that ‘all power ultimately rests with the people and must be exercised with their consent’ lies at the heart of democracy. Democracy is premised on the recognition and protection of people’s right to have a say in all decision making processes which is itself based on the central principle of equality of all human beings. The exercise of this fundamental political right requires a guarantee of crucial freedoms –to express one’s thoughts and opinion without fear, to seek and receive information, to form associations and to assemble in a peaceful manner to discuss public affairs amongst others. Accommodation of the views of minorities is essential to prevent democracy from degenerating into despotism by the majority. The purpose of democracy like that of human rights protection is to uphold the dignity of every individual and to ensure that the voices of the weakest are also heard. Its core values –freedom, equality, fraternity, accommodation of diversity and the assurance of justice underpin the norms of human rights as well.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:29:02 +0000
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