A major political value in America has been representative democracy, and increasing emphasis has been placed on democratizing political processes. Representative democracy stresses that representatives are nominated and elected from individual districts. They comprise a legislature that makes binding decisions for its society.
What that entails has not always been clear, however. Some elements of democracy are universally supported (or nearly so), whereas others are the subject of nearly continuous controversy. Most agree, for example, that majority rule and minority rights are fundamental. The former enables the political system to make and implement binding decisions through popular control. The latter permits those not in the majority the freedom to voice their political views and otherwise to be politically active.
Directly related to these principles are the constitutional guarantees of a “free marketplace of political ideas.” That is, the freedom to speak, write, and publish political concepts and commentaries, including those out of favor with officials and the majority of citizens. Numerous studies of public opinion suggest, however, that many Americans are inconsistent in their willingness to allow free expression of unpopular ideas.
Most would also agree that democracy requires widespread involvement in the election of public officials by means of voting and active participation in political campaigns. Nevertheless, calls for participatory democracy in general and participative management have met with increasingly positive responses. Where it has been implemented, direct participation has had the effect of increasing the number of decision makers—such as citizens giving testimony at public hearings.
Representative Democracy
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