Elections are freely competitive, within reason; any political party should be entitled to field candidates. The only exceptions to this rule are parties with illegal aims. For example if a party was created that aimed to ensure every citizen in Britain was Christian and could only have one child etc. it would surely be excluded from elections.
The rights of individuals of the state must be protected. In some systems, this is ensured by constitutional law that cannot easily be changed by parliament. An obvious example of a state that’s citizens rights are not protected in a constitution is the U.K. Such rights include: right to life, prohibition of torture, prohibition of slavery, right to liberty, right to a fair trial, no illegal punishment, freedom of thought and religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, right to free elections, right to education etc. In a liberal democracy the rights of citizen’s should be enjoyed equally throughout the community (no dependence or financial or professional status.) There are obviously exceptions to this rule too. When people are put in jail, they are said to loose their freedom, and therefore their rights. They regain these rights when they are set free of prison and are said to have regained their freedom.
A wide variety of beliefs should be tolerated, providing they do not threaten the peace of the community and existence of the state. People should be free to worship (right to worship,) without interference or hostility. It is believed that the variety of culture, religion and ethnic backgrounds in such communities, are what makes them thrive. In such modern liberal democratic systems, citizens can benefit from the ideas and experience of hundreds of different cultures.
The governing body itself is also subjected to its own laws i.e. should not attempt to place itself above the law and should not act in an arbitrary fashion. This government must also be limited. That is, its powers should be exercised within parameters set down in a constitution. In the U.K a form of this is achieved by parliamentary sovereignty. By this system, no parliament can pass any law that could put boundaries or restrict the next.
In summary, citizens of modern liberal democracies have five simple entitlements. Firstly, the right to vote freely with the insurance that that vote will be kept private. Secondly, the right to have their civil liberties protected. Thirdly, the right to have their own beliefs; as long as they do not conflict with the peace of the community or the state. Fourthly, The right to have a government which is not all-powerful and has to abide by its own laws and perform within laid down parameters. Fifthly, the right to a fair trial by a judiciary independent of the state.
However, citizens also have constraints placed on them. There seem to be ‘but’ clauses or negative ways of looking at those five entitlements. Clause 1: You can only worship freely if the government deems your faith to be unthreatening. Clause 2: You must obey the rules of a government which has been elected, even if you do not believe in their aims, principles, or what they stand for. Clause 3: You can only elect a government, you cannot, from that point on, directly influence or completely control what that government chooses to do with its powers.
In conclusion, citizens in modern liberal democracies have number of rights and entitlements that allow them to live their lives freely to the extent that society may run smoothly. If everyone did exactly what he or she wanted, nothing would get done. If the people made all political decisions, the basis behind these decisions would not necessarily be properly informed and it is likely no solid conclusion would be made as everyone would disagree-hence representation. As I have said, although people cannot completely control or influence the activities of a government once it has been elected, people know that when voting, they are placing their trust in a particular party to make decisions for them, incorporating public opinion. Thus I believe that the position of a citizen in a modern liberal democratic system is fortunate, fair and a trustworthy system to have.
