How to Make Democracy a Success
A democracy consists of a voting body that determines acts and laws. This body may assume multiple forms. For instance, ancient Greece practiced a direct democracy in which all male citizens could meet to make decisions on government policy. In contrast, the United States is a representative democracy in which citizens vote for politicians to enact the popular will. Democracies are not limited to nation-states either. A board of directors or members of a private club also may constitute a democracy. Regardless of size or scope, members of a democracy must take several measures to ensure its success.
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Instructions
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Determine the type of democracy best suited to your situation. For instance, if you and five friends find yourself shipwrecked on a deserted island, a "one person, one vote" system will work fine. On the other hand, an organization with a hundred members who do not have the time or interest to manage its internal affairs would benefit from a representative democracy.
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Determine voting bylaws for your organization. In the United States, this set of bylaws is known as the Constitution. However, a modest organization may not require such a formal or complex document. In any case, plan for contingencies. For instance, if you form a board of directors with four members, plan for a scenario in which the body splits the vote two against two.
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Determine the scope of laws and acts to be enacted by your organization. Oftentimes, a political group or student organization may stray from its original purpose as new members join. A document that states the purpose of your organization will help preserve the founders' intent.
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Convene a session of your democratic organization. If you sense potential conflicts or issues right away, amend your bylaws. Another frequent problem of democratic organizations involves the lack of civility among members. If two people on a board do not get along, they may create problems for everyone and jeopardize the entire enterprise. Resolve this issue through mediation or disciplinary action as appropriate.
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Keep your voting system and body free, fair and transparent. Over time, voting bodies often suffer from entrenched incumbents who benefit themselves more than the people they represent. Other factors such as bribery or blackmail have turned ostensible democracies into banana republics. Maintain a powerful ethics subcommittee to fight against anti-democratic tendencies in your organization.
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References
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