Impractical though a system of direct democracy might seem in the context of a nation state, it is worth considering what the essential element of any such system would be – since similar or comparable elements would also be essential in a more sophisticated democratic system – such as one of representative democracy.
First and most obviously one would have to establish rules which identify the members of society whose views are to be sought and respected i.e. who is to be entitled to vote. Few people would argue that a country’s political system is not a democratic one simply because children or the mentally ill are not allowed to vote. Any such system would have to have rules, however, as to which (if any)other people are to be excluded.
Next , a democratic political system will require rules which ensure that, so far as possible, the views which are expressed - and the votes which are cast – represent the true – and informed - views of the voters. A political system is not ‘democratic’ simply because elections or referendums are sometimes held – they must be genuinely ‘free’ elections and referendums. Saddam Hussein recently secured a 100% vote to maintain his position - but few of us would say that it therefore follows that Iraq operates a democratic political system.
To ensure that the votes which are cast represent the true – and informed - views of the voters, a democratic political system will require rules which ensure that the voters are presented with a genuine choice of options or candidates, with information from a wide range of sources and with the protection of a secret ballot. An essential part of such a system will, in short, be the grant and protection of what might be termed political and human rights and freedoms.
Next, a democratic political system must establish a way of ‘weighing’ the votes which are cast, particularly in circumstances where the voters are presented with more than choice between two options – as where there are a number of candidates. There are differences in opinion as to whether it is better to divide a society into constituencies so that the representative elected from each constituency complies with the views of that specific region. However this ‘first past the post’ system means that on a national scale the overall representation of public opinion will be less accurate than if a ‘proportional representation’ system was in effect
Next, a democratic political system must recognise that people’s views change - and that a system is not ‘democratic’ simply because it allows one election to take place. Such a system must, clearly, provide for the views of the people to be sought reasonably frequently.
Finally, a truly ‘democratic’ political system must cater for the fact that ‘rule by the people’ does not mean simply ‘rule by the majority’: ‘rule by the people’ does not mean ‘rule by 51% of the people’. A political system which allowed for the tyranny of the majority would not be a truly ‘democratic’ system. If we take democracy to mean rule by the whole people then a majority decision means that the minorities in a society will effectively have no input and therefore this is not a true democracy. Majority rule can only be compliant in a democratic society if it does not compromise the major interests of the minorities. An essential element of a truly ‘democratic’ political system will, therefore, be the protection of individuals and minorities by the imposition and enforcement of restrictions on the powers of governments - and even of governments which genuinely reflect the views of a majority of the voters. In a true democracy, then, the rights of the minorities have to be protected – and this will normally require the existence of a constitution which limits the power of government and which can be and is enforced by a judiciary which is independent of government.
