Five Basic Concepts of Democracy

Equality of All Persons

Equal before the law and equality of opportunity, however no person is guaranteed equality of condition by democracy. This is always in theory.

Necessity of Compromise

Helps insure majority in agreement and works to satisfy both sides. Compromise is an essential part of the democratic concept. The democracy puts the individual first, but at the same time insists that each individual is equal to others. There are many different individuals and opinions in the society. There is also multiple ways to answer public questions. In both cases compromise is needed, but it is not always necessary or good.

Majority Rule/ Minority Rights

Popular will of the people and minority has the right to a "voice". Democracy argues that the majority of the people will be right more often than they will be wrong, and that the majority will also be right more often than will any one person or small group. Democracy does not state the majority will always make the best decisions on matters. Therefore Democracy insists the majority must always be willing to listen to a minority's argument, objections, criticisms, and suggestions.

Individual Freedom

Democracy cannot exist when all have complete freedom, but it does insist that each individual must be as free to do as he or she pleases as far as the freedom of all will allow. A balance of two things must occur in democracy: balance of freedom of the individual and the rights of society and balance of liberty and authority.

Worth of the Individual

Democracy is firmly based upon a belief in the fundamental importance of the individual. Each individual, no matter what his/her station in life, is a separate and distinct being. Everyone is to have a sense of value and dignity is the democratic thought of welfare. In democracy actions are taken in the interest of the majority of societies welfare.