Stand up for democracy or lose it

Democracy it seems us hanging by a thread in the United States. The administration of President Donald Trump seems to be running roughshod over the different institutions that maintain the democratic system. What will be left after four years remains to be seen? Democracy is under threat in many other places across the world, with people being squeezed out of having any meaningful say in how their lives are run. It is important to remember that democracy is a relatively recent concept. Democracy in any meaningful form has probably only been around for 200 years..and a lot less than that in most places. The idea is that everyone has the right to play a part in electing a government that then serves the people. It was a hard fought battle to win those rights. The suffragettes, civil rights protesters and trade unions were among those who fought long and hard to get the vote. Previously, it was rule by monarchs assisted by the other powerful factions in the land, who ran things just as they liked. A sort of gang warfare. Indeed, many argue, that is where things are heading now - backwards to the dictatorship of authoritarian figures ruling for themselves. The weakness of democracy today comes from ignorance. In order to put down sustainable roots and endure democracy needs an informed and educated population. It also requires people in power to deliver for the mass of people, not just a small elite of the wealthy. Both factors are lacking today. There is a disillusionment among many regarding the political class. The complaints are familiar: they're all the same, they're only in it for themselves, my vote doesn't make a difference etc. But there is a real danger that people won't realise what they have lost until it is gone. Broadly, there seems to be three groups of people - bystanders, spectators and the engaged. The bystanders are not interested, do not believe politics makes any difference to their lives and at best view it as some sort of soap opera ( this tendency is helped by much media coverage, which treats politics like a big soap). Most annoying amongst this group are those who pride themselves on not taking part and not voting. The spectators are those who keep themselves informed about what is going on. They speak out, usually via social media, from time to time and usually vote but don't get involved beyond that. Then there are the engaged. They would be members of political parties, trade unions, community groups, charities and much of civil society. This is by far the smallest group. If democracy is to survive, more people need to get actively involved. They need to be better informed and act to bring those in power to account. There has to be a plurality that allows for all sorts of different views to be represented and heard. Another problem of the present system is a morphing together of the main political parties, who all seem to be wedded to the present neo-liberal economic system, which is causing the hardship ( and so disillusion with democracy) for so many people. The voices of those who want to change, rather than just manage the present system need to be heard and represented. Some way needs to be found of getting better community representation. Political parties are. becoming increasingly insular, representing a small elite. The introduction of Proportional Representation would be one way to improve things. Also, a change in the way representatives are selected. But make no mistakes democracy is under threat. It is not perfect but as Winston Churchill said : "democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others." There is a real danger today that people will only recognise the value of democracy when it is gone. So get involved in making sure you retain the right to participate