What constitutes a modern democracy?
- Government is elected by the people – one adult citizen, one vote.
- The Government is accountable/answerable to the people.
- There are official channels whereby Governments can be held to account.
- There’s no government (legal or policy) discrimination for race, gender or religion.
- There’s no imposition of taxes without representatives being elected to control those funds (i.e. the people thereby have a say (vote) in how that money is spent).
- Those controlling public revenues and assets are accountable to the people, and are charged with managing them for the benefit of all the people.
- Societal issues are resolved through freedom of speech/open debate so that a majority consensus can be reached and can evolve.
- Free speech
- Through government, the people give a hand up to the needy (not a hand out to the greedy).
- To work well, a modern democracy needs:
- A robust media to challenge government and keep the people well informed of the facts (before opinion).
- High education standards so citizens are capable of holding government to account.
An easily accessible legal system (justice delayed or too expensive is justice denied).
Arthur Moore, Pakuranga
