The Struggle for Democracy, Essay Example

My name is Chris, student of political science at Michigan University in New York. I wish to express my opinion on the current status of democracy in the country and the potential approaches of improving the state of democracy in the country for the benefit of the future. Mr. President, I wish to reiterate that, promoting democracy is not a new phenomenon in the United States. Democracy is much related to politics because it is linked to authority and legitimacy in politics. The democratic level of the decision-making process in the United States determines the relationship between democracy and politics. The issue of promoting democracy at state and national level has not been taken seriously in the United States. For many years, United States have devoted their organizations and resources into promoting democracy. The political environment created by some leaders results to uncertainty that questions the role of supporting democracy to performance and future stability of the nation. Most countries have adopted democracy as the most predominant and generally acceptable form of governance. Democracy is a relatively topical phenomenon in the history of the world but there have occurred successive ‘waves’ that have posited to enhance democracy in the 20th century (Greenberg, 2014). This therefore implies that with the coming millennium, majority of the countries will have adopted democratic governance relative to other forms of non-democratic rules. Democracy must be perceived as an end in itself and also a means to other ends including eradication of poverty, human rights protection as well as economic development.

In the United States however, one major problem has been documented in its governance. Democracy in the country suffers a deficiency of democracy and this is an issue of great concern that must be brought to the attention of the highest seat of power in the government (Greenberg, 2014).  The problem is hugely attributed to the contribution of wealthy individuals in the country as they try to manipulate power that is associated to the wealth that they have accumulated to influence political governance. It is important that these issues are amicably addressed so that the problems associated with undemocratic governance are resolved and democracy revitalized in the United States. The threat to democracy is an obvious issue that every citizen as well as organizations has been witnessing as a result of the immense power that is associated with the rich people having specific interests in the system of governance. The organizations have consequently made noteworthy contributions in addressing this problem that is associated power inequality in the country. It is therefore the responsibility of the presidency to support such organizations for the benefit of the entire nation after democracy has been reinstated (Sheila, 2005). The role of the citizens is also important in helping the government to address the deficits of democracy and pervasive citizenship in America. The public administration in the United States has a major role to play in solving the democracy deficit as a requirement by the democratic ethos, as an effort to retract its contribution in proliferating the democratic deficit by the means of the extensive embrace of the bureaucratic ethos and as it is obligated to identify potential approaches that can effectively involve the citizens in the context of the contemporary network as well as the structures of collaborative governance.

The United States can use different methods to promote democracy in the international relations as explained. Firstly, political analysts have developed theories that explain the relationship between democracies, politics, and international relations. Understanding these theories helps United States to promote democracy within their territories and outside borders. The most known theory that would play a major role in promoting democracy is a democratic peace. The theory claims that democracies should not fight over democracies. Past leaders of many western countries such as Thatcher and Bush developed policies that governed their politicians to demonstrate high levels of democracy. The policy was guided by the fact that democracy promotes peace among democratic nations while non-democracies have no peace. According to Edward & Greenberg, by promoting democracy in the United States encourages such practices as competition, diversity, peace, and settlement of disputes that help in maintaining peace and prosperity with other states. The Democratic peace theory, therefore, acts as one of the best methods of promoting democracy in international relations (Edward & Greenberg, 2013).

On the other hand, promoting democracy in the United States would be done through following the theory of External Democracy Promotion. The theory aims at developing strategies for democratic foreign policies that ensure democratic promotion on international relations. Smith used the international democratic theory to make people; especially politicians understand the interrelationship between democracy, international systems, and democratization (Steve, 2000). Utilization of this theory allows modification of democratic perspectives that help in yielding a conception of democratic promotion as a means of supporting power interests. The government stands a better chance of developing foreign policies that ensures effective understanding between nations across the world, hence promoting democracy. In addition, foreign policies restrict people who go against democracy, for example, power greedy politicians, who must follow the rule of the land otherwise, face the full force of the law.

Non-government organizations like the United Nations (UN) views promoting democracy as their core business value. They incorporate freely expressed will of the citizens and follow the rule of law in ensuring in promoting democracies across nations all over the world. Democracy is practiced when human rights and critical freedoms are respected, fulfilled and promoted ensuring a dignified life. United Nations claims that people of the nation play very major role in promoting democracy. In addition, leaders should practice democratic governance that implements social and economic policies aimed at improving the livelihood of citizens. Government should first ensure the security and satisfaction of its citizens through strengthening homeland security and eradicating poverty respectively. The process creates and sustains an environment for responsible political processes and allows good international relations (UN).

Promotion of democracy started the long time even before the establishment of present forms of governance practiced in many countries. The United States of America continues to press for promotion of democracy among its citizens, but the political nature of the country hinders fast implementation of the process. The former United States President developed an urge to spread freedom to Iraq and other countries around the world in order to end fight, and increase prosperity among poor nations. U.S. has been fighting for a democratic world since World War II. In addition, leaders view promoting democracy as an important component of encouraging foreign policies. In addition, Bush administration encouraged democracy because it acted as a means of combating terrorism and promoting peace. Bush focused on promoting democracy among international relations in order to end “war on terrorism” and promote national security (Tocqueville, 2000). After analyzing reasons why nations should promote democracy, determining methods that help nations promote democracy in international relations forms the most crucial aspect.

Different forms of supporting democracy in the international relations are explained UN. Some major recommendations involve assisting government structures and other unstable bodies of the government, like the parliament, enhance balances and checks that promote the practice of democracy. The type of governance present in the country determines the democratic level of that nation. Centralizing local government structures helps in promoting democracy through enhancing mutual understanding among political leaders and the general public. In addition, a stable parliament with al members speaking same language promotes democracy and ensures all foreign policies that ensure peace and security of the people are passed and implemented.

On the other hand, the United Nations argues that promoting human rights and ensuring access to justice through strengthening judiciary systems help improve international relations. The American and European policy agendas focus on human rights and democracy promotion. Different democracies regional and international organizations join hands in ensuring implementation of foreign policy agendas. Human rights form one of the central issues of world politics, an issue that generates a lot of debate on international settings. Ensuring diversification of human rights by increasing the number of players acts as one of the best strategies of promoting democracy in the country. Moreover, diversification ensures changes in society, state, and the government allowing good interstate interaction and promoting peace among democratic states (Tocqueville, 2000). It goes without saying that countries that invite UN activities promote democracy in the international relations. Examples of such activities include United Nations Development Program (UNEP), Department of Peace Keeping Operation (DPKO), Department of Political Affairs (DPA), and United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).

Works cited

Edward S. & Greenberg, Benjamin  Struggle for Democracy, 2012 Election Edition / Edition 11 Pearson, 2013.

Greenberg, Edward S. The Struggle for Democracy. Pearson, 2014.

Sheila Jasanoff, Designs on Nature: Science and Democracy in Europe and the United States Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2005.

Steve Fuller, The Governance of Science: Ideology and the Future of the Open Society Buckingham: Open University Press, 2000.

Tocqueville, Alexis de.  Democracy in America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.