Change Over Time

Change Over Time

Introduction

The word 'democracy' comes from the ancient Greek expression meaning 'rule by the people'. It is often contrasted with monarchy and aristocracy for instance, by Aristotle and Machiavelli and traditionally is regarded as a form of government, which is good in itself, but liable to descend into mob rule or 'anarchy'. In practice, it can take many forms, which can be grouped according to whether they are 'direct' or 'indirect'. In a government based on 'direct' democracy, decisions are taken by the whole body of citizens. Indirect democracy is usually 'representative': that is, the body of citizens will be represented by a smaller group who make decisions on behalf of the whole body (Dahl, 1998). Indirect democracy is more common than direct not least because there are too many citizens in most modern states for the government to function efficiently if all citizens are part of the legislature.

Discussion

Origin of Democracy in America

The American Revolution occurred when thirteen mainland North American colonies split off from Great Britain. In 1776, delegations from the thirteen colonies each endorsed the Declaration of Independence, a document written primarily by Virginia's Thomas Jefferson, after a series of political disputes had produced military skirmishes between British armed forces and colonial militias. These political disputes had their roots in misunderstandings about the status of colonial charters and legislatures. Those wishing to become independent aggressively argued the plausibility of their positions, relying on a number of political theorists, such as John Locke and baron de Montesquieu. Their opponents did not concede intellectual ground, but after a bitter war, the British government recognized the independence of the United States. The Revolution produced new understandings of politics and political results, which sparked debates that lasted through the 1780s, ultimately informing the ratification process (Bailyn, 1967). Political theories that were employed by the colonists in justifying their cause, some adaptations of existing theories, and the impact of those ideas on the early years of the democracy are described in this paper.

Democratic Theories

Many who participated in the Revolution adapted existing theories. The dispute with Britain prompted Thomas Jefferson to consider political theory seriously for the first time in his early thirties. He ultimately integrated natural rights theory, existing ideas about the benefits of an agrarian political economy, and Scottish moral-sense philosophy to form a distinctive democratic political theory. Jefferson suggested that citizens, and especially the owners of small farms, were capable of cooperative self-government (Dahl, 1998). Very little political authority was actually required. When collective decisions were required, they would be made by the level of government most appropriate to the decision at hand, including the ward, a local grouping of citizens. In this way, few citizens would ever be severely imposed on by the state. For more than two centuries, these views have inspired libertarians and participatory democrats.

Another notable democrat who gained prominence during the Revolution was Thomas Paine. Paine was a recent “émigré” from Britain, who wrote the pamphlet Common Sense in early 1776. This widely circulated work ...