The more, the merrier

In the midst of the Jasmine Revolutions sweeping the Middle East, the roots of democracy and plural societies are beginning to form. This fall, Egypt’s democracy has begun to sprout as the nation holds free and fair elections for president.

In Syria, one of the world’s most brutal dictatorial lineages faces the greatest political uprisings in the nation’s modern history. These once-suppressed seeds of political diversity have the potential to foster rich democratic institutions that can one day protect, foster and develop a society that expounds on freedom, progress and unity.
 
Unfortunately it is not easy to build a constructive democracy, especially in a society that has been politically suppressed for decades. While there are many things that factor into a positive and functional democratic model, perhaps one of the most important aspects of any functioning democracy is plural participation.

In other words, the core to a good stable democracy is diversity of opinions.

First, as government is formed and made to protect, structure and assist society and its individuals, it can only accurately do so with active participation from all those it serves. Essentially, government isn’t a mind reader — far from it, in fact. Therefore, the only way to ensure that a particular interest is embodied or recognized is to express it in the political process.

Democracy and its institutions are built specifically so this can be easily accomplished. But even for authoritarian governments, it is obvious from recent events that the fewer opinions incorporated into government policy, the less popular and functional a government is.

This same concept applies to the formation of law and justice in a society. As these institutions reflect the norms and values of a society, the only way they can accurately do so is with vocal representation for all differing opinions.

For diverse societies and minority groups of any status, it is important that their opinions are expressed. Diversity in this broad definition includes the unique perspective on life everyone has to offer from their personal narrative, including their personal ideas, experience and beliefs.

By ensuring that both mainstream and fringe ideas are included in the political process, government, law and its institutions can be more accurate in fostering life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We have seen historically how not including minorities in the political process has not only created great injustice for those groups, but also failed to capture the full dynamism of a more plural democracy. Encouraging participation only encourages greater solutions, possibilities and opportunities.

Overall, a dynamic and active democracy requires the gasoline of the people and their opinions for the greater political machine.

On a government level, I feel we could encourage a greater plurality in our democracy by incorporating proportional democracy as a main institution for our republic. Under proportional democracy, political parties are assigned seats in a legislature based on the percentage of votes they garner from a general election. Under the current system, the seats are divided into districts and only one representative that represents a little more than 50 percent of the population gets to be seated.

I feel that while the first-past-the-post system, as it is called, is an effective means for democracy, it fails to capture much of society’s diversity of opinions. Allowing more people’s opinions to be expressed through proportional democracy will enhance our political system and cultivate a richer and deeper tradition of democracy in the United States.

Overall, while many would say incorporating greater opinions in any political system undermines the centrality of the system and prolongs political action, they would be incorrect.

Assuming that difference of opinion undermines the authority of a government assumes that there is one correct opinion supporting the current structure of government. And while debate is prolonged, the solutions are more accurate and reflective of society’s true spirit. The truth of the matter is there can be no one underlying opinion that creates government. Thus, diversity and participation foster a greater and more functional democracy for all individuals.

— mdshowal@indiana.edu