ELEMENTS THAT MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK
Strictly speaking we are a republic, which means we are governed by representatives elected by the people and who govern according to law. The principles given below apply to both republican and democratic governments. ---Billy Long
Plato and other Greek philosophers believed that democracy is a bad form of government because it eventually degenerates to the lowest common denominator, resulting in a society governed by the rule of the uneducated, uninformed, morally weak, and self-indulgent masses. We see these trends today. People move from freedom to license and chaos that ultimately bring society under the tyranny of excessive government control and dictatorial rule.
Plato and the philosophers were right in that democracy is a bad form of government— UNLESS it is held together by the following necessary ingredients that work to make it the best form of government, creating the most freedom and prosperity.
(2) a strong and well-informed middle-class. A strong middle-class is necessary for the sustained existence of a democracy because it prevents the animosity and class warfare that fall on a people governed by either the very rich or the very poor. An informed public with moral fiber is least likely to be manipulated by propaganda and demagoguery.
(3) the authority of a governing document such as our constitution designed to keep the power of the government in check and protect the people from the arbitrary rule of men who would otherwise seek power and rule according to their own will. The constitution holds rulers in check by setting boundaries around their powers. It is sad that too many of our citizens do not realize the importance of our constitution nor the dangers (to our freedom) that will oppress us if we violate and trample this document.
We as a people should be aware that the violation and neglect of these three principles will erode and undermine our freedom, our peace, and our prosperity. Our nation has lived in the fruit of these values and is now in the process of weakening these very pillars that have made us great. We are already beginning to taste in small measure the painful consequences we will inevitably experience in full measure if we continue on this path.
Our hope is in God. Genuine Christians need to call upon the Lord and pray that multitudes will come to Christ.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7: 14
Strictly speaking we are a republic, which means we are governed by representatives elected by the people and who govern according to law. The principles given below apply to both republican and democratic governments. ---Billy Long
Plato and other Greek philosophers believed that democracy is a bad form of government because it eventually degenerates to the lowest common denominator, resulting in a society governed by the rule of the uneducated, uninformed, morally weak, and self-indulgent masses. We see these trends today. People move from freedom to license and chaos that ultimately bring society under the tyranny of excessive government control and dictatorial rule.
Plato and the philosophers were right in that democracy is a bad form of government— UNLESS it is held together by the following necessary ingredients that work to make it the best form of government, creating the most freedom and prosperity.
A Democracy can only be sustained where the following elements exist.
1) a healthy self-restraint produced by moral character in the people. In our nation Judeo-Christian (Biblical) values produced this self-restraint that is necessary for a free and healthy democratic society.
(2) a strong and well-informed middle-class. A strong middle-class is necessary for the sustained existence of a democracy because it prevents the animosity and class warfare that fall on a people governed by either the very rich or the very poor. An informed public with moral fiber is least likely to be manipulated by propaganda and demagoguery.
(3) the authority of a governing document such as our constitution designed to keep the power of the government in check and protect the people from the arbitrary rule of men who would otherwise seek power and rule according to their own will. The constitution holds rulers in check by setting boundaries around their powers. It is sad that too many of our citizens do not realize the importance of our constitution nor the dangers (to our freedom) that will oppress us if we violate and trample this document.
We as a people should be aware that the violation and neglect of these three principles will erode and undermine our freedom, our peace, and our prosperity. Our nation has lived in the fruit of these values and is now in the process of weakening these very pillars that have made us great. We are already beginning to taste in small measure the painful consequences we will inevitably experience in full measure if we continue on this path.
Our hope is in God. Genuine Christians need to call upon the Lord and pray that multitudes will come to Christ.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7: 14
Comments