Introduction
Democracy is defined as the rule of the people, by the people for the people (Ellowitz 12). It is characterized by majority rule. In a democratic form of governance, the ordinary people are allowed to rule and govern themselves. This is achieved through the three pillars of a democratic government. These are popular sovereignty, political equity, and political liberty. Popular sovereignty is basically having the people be the ultimate source of authority. Political equity stands for equality in political decision making especially in voting whereby every individual has equal say. Political liberty is the freedom that is necessary to create a popular will.
Main body
Greenberg and page argue that for a democratic government to be established, information is of the essence. For a citizen to govern themselves as they should be in a democratic country, the right to a free and fair election must be observed. It is this right that enables citizens to have a say in the government because they have a chance to select and elect leaders who they feel can be trusted and leaders who will represent them well in the government (Davis 29). In respect to this, a democratic government is obligated to provide the electorate with relevant information that will enable them to make informed decisions in political matters.
Civic education is of the essence and this should be free from biases. Today’s publicity is mainly through the media which has been compromised and politically influenced to relay politically biased information. With such influence, there will be no true justice when it comes to political matters and more specifically in voting. Media owners, shareholders, and directors are paid off to push political agendas for some individuals in America today and as it can clearly be seen, emphasis on public policies is not a priority (Greenberg 23). The media has become a profit-oriented entity where public interest has been neglected in favor of political gains.
Opinion polls which are supposed to reflect the perfect will of the people have been turned into a public blackmailing machine to influence voters’ minds in a strategic public lie. It is true that there is a challenge on the media to keep in good relations with the corporate world for the sake of existence and business, but that notwithstanding, they, the media, have to consider their professional ethics. I agree with Greenberg and page that the American people lack the much-needed information on the people they elect in office due to the lack of enough information on the people vying for electoral office (Greenberg 12). This is not democracy. Democracy is basically founded on informed decision-making by the electorate. This information must be truthful and honest in order to win public confidence.
Conclusion
Nonetheless, this has not been the case in America the greatest self-acclaimed democratic country. The rise of the African Americans to fight for their right to vote marked the beginning of democracy but as it is known things we are yet to realize this goal considering the numerous instances where public votes have been influenced by the media to bend on a particular favored side. This has to stop and let the people be the final judges of course out of a decision made on informed choices. Democracy is a good idea of governance although it is rarely achieved. Greed and love for power compromises the ability of America to realize this goal.
Works Cited
Davis, Calvin. Abraham Lincoln and Greensburg, Indiana. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2012. Print.
Ellowitz, Larry. The Struggle for Democracy. New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc. 2009. Print.
Greenberg, Edward and Page, Benjamin. Struggle for Democracy. 10th ed. 2010. New York, NY: Longman. Print.