Fundamental Principles of Democracy

[Goblinmonger]

If I were to ask you what the three most important principles of democracy were, what would you argue for and why? What do we need to do now to assure those principles continue?

This is for a high school class/competition I am teaching/coaching (We the People through the Center for Civic Education) and this question that needs answering (I have rephrased it to fit my needs) has generated a lot of discussion amongst the high school seniors working on it. I thought it would be interesting for people here and you would have some fabulous thoughts.

[manic expression]

1. Let me offer an analysis

"Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners." - Lenin

Within a bourgeois system, "representation" is, in reality, reserved for the rich. Money and power drive the system, not the will of the people. You cannot separate a government system from the environment in which it resides, and so if that environment is an unequal one, then the government will be equally unequal.

Therefore, to have true democracy, you must create a system without inequity. This means doing away with capitalism and establishing socialism, in which the workers (aka the vast majority of the people) will direct society. When the people have control over their communities, democracy is possible.

Just a few thoughts.

[Hosnon]

2. If "democracy" means the general form of Western representative government:

(1) One Person, One Vote: Seems fundamental (perhaps required by definition?). If the people are not the ultimate sovereign, it seems difficult to classify the system as a "democracy".

(2) Due Process of Law: Deprivation of life, liberty or property is not arbitrary and adheres to an established process. Due process reinforces the supremacy and the equality of law with respect to all people.

(3) Judicial Review: The courts have the authority to negate the acts of the legislature if those acts are contrary to the two previous principles.

Just off the top of my head.

[Goblinmonger]

3. Yes, sorry if I was unclear

I am talking about the US form of constitutional democracy.

Thanks for the input.

[manic expression]

4. I wonder then

if my post is applicable to what you were looking for. I hope it added to something.