In identifying majority rule as the essential element that gives a government the “form” of a “perfect democracy”, John Locke used the term “perfect democracy” in the same way the terms “pure democracy” and “majoritarian democracy” are sometimes used as synonyms for direct democracy. We wholeheartedly embrace John Locke's ideals and have been inspired by his use of the term "perfect democracy". However, we use the term Perfect Democracy in a slightly different way.
To communicate as effectively as possible, we feel it is important for us to clarify what we mean by the key terms we use in discussing what we need to do to make America a Perfect Democracy:
By Democracy, we mean government by the people. In practice, that means government by a majority of the people who choose to be politically active.
By True Democracy, we mean a government in which the people truly govern, with every citizen having an equal vote and the votes of the majority determining what powers our government is given, what laws are enacted, and what policies are put in place. Depending upon how the people govern, a true democracy may result in a good government or a bad government.
By Perfect Democracy, we mean a true democracy in which a majority of the citizens who choose to be politically active respect the rights of others, understand that the primary reason we institute governments is to secure and protect our rights, and consistently support laws and policies that create the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
We believe that a majority of Politically Active Citizens in America possess these qualities and that when we make America a true democracy, we will make America a Perfect Democracy.
By Flawed Democracy we mean a democracy that has the form of a perfect democracy, but with flaws in the system resulting in a government being less than a "full democracy".
We also understand a Perfect Democracy to be a democracy that is without such flaws.
America is not a Perfect Democracy
Democracy is Government by the People.
Majority rule is the essential element of a true democracy. Common sense and observation tell us, and research confirms, that “Majorities of the American public actually have little influence over the policies our government adopts” while “economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy.” [From a study by Benjamin I. Page and Martin Gilens. As reported in their book: Democracy in America? What Has Gone Wrong and What We Can Do About It.]
Antidemocratic provisions in the body of our Constitution and flaws in the way we conduct elections have made it possible for corporate interests and billionaires to gain control of our governments at both the state and federal levels. The version of democracy in place in America at present is so deeply flawed as to be more accurately described as an oligarchy, or more specifically, as a combination of a corporatocracy and a plutocracy (government by and for corporate interests and the wealthy).
Money has become the dominant factor in our elections and has corrupted politicians at all levels of government and in both of our major political parties. Our vaunted system of "checks and balances" has made it possible for politicians representing corporate interests to consistently block legislation supported by most Americans.
Along with the frustration of not being able to get critically needed legislation enacted, a tsunami of misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies has generated toxic levels of anger, fear, and hatred, and left Americans deeply and bitterly divided. We argue angrily and endlessly about the issues that divide us. The discussion never seems to focus on the issues where we are in broad agreement. None of the conflicts that divide us are ever resolved. None of the problems we face as a nation are ever addressed effectively, despite the fact that a majority of us agree upon solutions.
Given the state of politics and civic engagement in America today, the idea of making America a Perfect Democracy may seem, to many Americans, to be hopelessly idealistic.
It is idealistic. Our nation was founded on democratic ideals, clearly stated as “self-evident” Truths in our Declaration of Independence. We are "endowed" by our Creator with equal and unalienable rights to "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." The primary reason we "institute" governments is to secure and protect our rights. And governments derive their "just powers" from "the consent of the governed."
The idea of making America a Perfect Democracy is not hopeless. The “self-evident” Truths stated in our Declaration of Independence are eternal and nearly all Americans believe in them. And there is one additional right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence: Our right to “alter the form” of our government whenever we deem it necessary to effect our "Safety and Happiness.”
When we unite in support of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence, we will find that we already have all the power we need to make America a Perfect Democracy by enacting either one (or both) of two elegantly simple, yet incredibly powerful, reforms: Personal Representation and Perfect Democracy Amendments.
Perfect Democracy Amendments
Perfect Democracy Amendments will extend the use of two powerful forms of direct democracy - referendums and the initiative - to the federal government and to the states that do not yet provide for them and will make it easier for citizens to call referendums and use the initiative in states that already have provisions for them, by allowing citizens to "sign" initiative petitions online.
Personal Representation through a system of Proxies
Implementing systems of Personal Representation will transform legislative bodies into truly democratic institutions by allowing every citizen who is eligible to vote to authorize any one member of each legislative body that governs them to cast votes on their behalf by assigning proxies and giving each senator and representative a number of votes equal to the number of proxies they have been assigned, plus one for themselves. By including provisions allowing citizens to reassign their proxies at any time, we can give Politically Active Citizens the ability to vote (indirectly) on any legislation being voted on in a legislative body.
Minor Changes with Major Benefits
In a survey conducted in 2021, 85% of Americans agreed that we need to completely reform or make major changes to our political system. Most American understand that until we make America a true democracy, legislation favored by a majority of the people, but opposed by corporate interests, will continue to have little, if any, chance of being enacted. Once we make America a true democracy, all the legislation favored by a majority of the people will be passed into law.
When we enact either one of these reforms, we will do more than make America great again, we will make America greater than it has ever been. When we make America a Perfect Democracy, we will make history.
The Work of Making Our Governments Our Own
There are thousands of governments in America.
We often talk about "the government" in a broad and generic way, but it is important to keep in mind, that in addition to the federal government, there are fifty state governments, over 3000 county governments, and over 35,000 local governments in America. Each of us is governed by three or four governments: the federal government, our state government, and/or a county government and a local government.
Democracy is government by the people. In a true democracy, the people govern and governments derive their "just powers" from "the consent of the governed". We, the people of the United States, need to make ALL the governments that govern us our own. As a true grassroots movement, our successes will come first at the local and state levels.
There are Two Paths to Victory
The path to victory is easiest in states and local governments that already have provisions for referendums and the initiative in their constitutions or charters than it is in those that don't. In states and local governments that do not have provisions for referendums and the initiative, a two-step process is involved - electing Champions of Democracy who will enact legislation providing for Personal Representation, that will then make it possible to enact legislation that provides for referendums and the initiative.
Through the Initiative
In states that already have provisions for the Initiative, we can use the Initiative to enact either Personal Representation Amendments or Perfect Democracy Amendments, or both. Our experience collecting signatures in Missouri on initiative petitions for these reforms makes it clear that they are both extremely popular with voters. When we get them on the ballot, they will pass with a super-majority of the votes, no matter how much money is spent opposing them.
It is slightly easier to gather signatures for Perfect Democracy Amendments. Voters like the idea of being able to sign petitions electronically (online). Petitioners do not need to do anything more than state that a Perfect Democracy Amendment will allow citizens to sign petitions for ballot proposals and veto referendums electronically and nearly every registered voter eagerly signs the petition.
One frequently asked question with any reform is “Has this been done anywhere before?” In the case of citizens being able to “sign” initiative petitions electronically, the answer is “yes”. Citizens in the European Union have been able to “sign” initiative petitions electronically since 2011. In the case of Personal Representation Amendments, the answer is “no”. But the reason it has not been tried anywhere is that the people in power in every country have strongly opposed all pro-democracy reforms and Personal Representation is the most powerful pro-democracy reform we can enact.
Our experience in Missouri has confirmed that gathering signatures for Personal Representation Amendments is only slightly more difficult than gathering signatures for Perfect Democracy Amendments. Explaining how Proxies would work is not difficult, but petitioners need to be comfortable explaining the process and answering questions about the process. Potential petition signers sometimes have a few questions and concerns. There are relatively simple, compelling, and convincing responses to those questions, but petitioners need to be comfortable answering questions and responding to concerns.
There are many benefits to implementing systems of Personal Representation. It is impossible to discuss all the benefits while gathering signatures one-on-one. It is much easier to collect signatures on petitions for Personal Representation at events where a speaker can explain how proxies work and highlight and discuss all the benefits of Personal Representation.
Once a proposal for Personal Representation is on the ballot in a state with the Initiative or has been introduced in a legislative body, it will be possible to conduct a long and constructive discussion of those benefits.
In Missouri, we have found that most citizens will sign both petitions eagerly after a very brief explanation of Personal Representation. Politically Active Citizens in states that already have the Initiative can decide on a state-by-state basis whether to circulate petitions for both reforms or choose one or the other.
The biggest argument in favor of circulating petitions for Personal Representation (as opposed to Perfect Democracy Amendments) is that the benefits kick in immediately once approved by voters. With Perfect Democracy Amendments, there will be a two-year (or more) delay in being able to take advantage of reform by getting proposals that legislative bodies have failed to enact on the ballot.
Through legislatures
At the national level and in states that do not have already have provisions for the Initiative, getting pro-democracy reforms will have to be done through Congress and state legislatures. With that being the case, the best pro-democracy reform to focus on initially is Personal Representation through a system of Proxies. It is not easy to vote incumbents out of office and incumbents in Congress and state legislatures are much more likely to support Personal Representation than Perfect Democracy Amendments.
Perfect Democracy Amendments take power away from members of legislative bodies by enabling citizens to bypass them when enacting (or vetoing) legislation. Implementing systems of Personal Representation shifts power to the people (especially Politically Active Citizens) but does so indirectly by allowing them to choose a representative who votes as they would vote. A system of Personal Representation through Proxies will shift power within a Representative Assembly to the members support utilitarian legislation that creates the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Members of legislative bodies who represent the interests of corporations and tax-averse billionaires and rely on them for massive amounts of money will not support either reform. Members of legislative bodies who want to help enact legislation that effectively addresses the problems we face as a community, state, or nation and help resolve conflicts in a manner that provides Justice for all, will eagerly seize the opportunity to champion democracy by supporting the implementation of systems of Personal Representation.
Legislative versions of Personal Representation can be made even more attractive to incumbents by including a provision treating Proxies as votes for purposes of citizens choosing their representatives, effectively replacing elections with selection by Proxy. Members of Representative Assemblies who are doing a good job of addressing problems and resolving conflicts in a manner that reflects the will of the people, and have a comfortable number of Proxies as a result, would not have to raise huge amounts of money to run for reelection every two, four, or six years.
Members of legislative bodies in jurisdictions with term limits will like the fact that once a system of Personal Representation has been in place long enough for citizens to fully appreciate the benefits of such a system, to appreciate the fact that when citizens are represented by legislators who vote as they would vote, term limits are not needed.
Simple but not Easy
The fact that the reforms that are needed to make America a Perfect Democracy are elegantly simple does not mean it will be easy to get them enacted. The corporatists and plutocrats who currently control our government will do everything in their power to keep systems of Personal Representation from being implemented and Perfect Democracy Amendments from being enacted. Corporate-owned media (increasingly owned and/or under the control of individual billionaires) are almost certain to ignore our campaign to make America a Perfect Democracy and put a negative slant on any news that is reported about our efforts. The algorithms of social media owned and controlled by billionaires are not likely to work in our favor.
The rulers of America know that implementing systems of Personal Representation will transform Congress, state legislatures, and local legislative bodies into truly democratic institutions; will diminish their power; give more power to the people; and shift power within Congress, state legislatures, and local legislative bodies, to the members who do the best job of addressing the problems we face in a manner that is in harmony with the will of the people. They will not give up power without a fight.
Most people in America feel powerless politically. That is understandable. Within the confines of our present electoral and political systems, ordinary citizens are powerless politically. Despite the best efforts of Politically Active Citizens, we have not been able to get legislation enacted that is supported by a majority of the people but opposed by corporate interests and tax-averse billionaires.
We've been divided and we have been conquered.
We've been divided into Democrats, Republicans, independents, and members of minor parties. We've been divided into progressives, liberals, moderates, and conservatives. We've been divided by our differences of opinion regarding wedge issues (gay rights, immigration, abortion, and gun control).
When we unite in support of our ideals, we will win!
We have lost sight of the fact that nearly all of us share a strong belief in the democratic ideals upon which our nation was founded. Very few among us realize how powerful we, the people, will be when we set aside our differences of opinion on the issues that divide us and unite in support of pro-democracy reforms.
Which Side Are You On?
When we think of “sides” in the context of politics-as-usual in America, we think of Democrats versus Republicans, left wing versus right wing, or liberals versus conservatives. In a campaign to make America a Perfect Democracy, these ways of viewing the sides are irrelevant. There are Democrats who believe in democracy and Democrats who don’t. There are Republicans who believe in democracy and Republicans who don’t. There are people on both the left and the right (and centrists) who believe in democracy and people on both the left and the right (and centrists) who don’t. There are liberals and conservatives who believe in democracy and liberals and conservatives who don’t. When we shift our focus to perfecting democracy, the "sides" are the True Friends and Champions of Democracy versus the false friends and true enemies of democracy.
True Friends of Democracy believe that the “just powers” of governments are derived from “the consent of the governed”. That consent is only properly obtained when every citizen has an equal vote and/or truly equal representation, and the votes of the majority determine whether proposed legislation is approved or rejected.
Champions of Democracy are True Friends of Democracy who run for office, actively support pro-democracy candidates who are running for office, or take an active role in campaigns to get pro-democracy reforms on the ballot and adopted through the initiative. Champions of Democracy who are running for office, actively promote the reforms needed to make a government a true democracy as part of their campaigns. Champions of Democracy in Congress and state legislatures, draft, introduce and/or cosponsor pro-democracy legislation.
True enemies of democracy argue openly against democracy and in favor of other forms of government when debating the relative merits of various forms of government. Many true enemies of democracy (dictators and their supporters) simply use violence or the threat of violence to seize power.
False friends of democracy are true enemies of democracy who claim to believe in and support democracy. They work covertly to undermine democracy. They support anti-democratic provisions in constitutions, claiming they are needed to protect the rights of citizens. They support anti-democratic methods in the conduct of elections, claiming they are needed to protect the integrity of elections. They seek to create the illusion of democracy and convince the people of a community, state, or nation that their government is democratic, when it is not.
Democracy is Government by the People.
Majority rule is the essential element of a true democracy. The false friends and true enemies of democracy know that very few, if any, of the things they want governments to do have the support of a majority of the citizens. They cannot get what they want from governments that are true democracies.
There are very few enemies of democracy who are open in their opposition to democracy. Even brutal dictators often claim they have the support of the people and hold sham elections to demonstrate that alleged support. And while the false friends of democracy are in the minority in every country, they often manage to gain control of governments with flawed democracies. In America, they hold a majority of the seats in Congress and state legislatures and most of the offices in the other branches of government.
There are several reasons for their success in getting elected. Candidates who represent corporate interests and billionaires nearly always have considerably more money at their disposal and spent on their behalf when they run for office. They have perfected the art of gerrymandering, which enables them to win a majority of the seats in Congress and state legislatures even when receiving less than a majority of the votes. They do whatever they can to make it difficult for people to vote in districts that are likely to vote against candidates who represent their interests. They employ tried and true propaganda methods, using misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies to sow anger, fear, and hatred among us, and keep us divided.
Divided we lose.
The false friends and true enemies of democracy focus relentlessly on divisive issues. They work quietly, behind the scenes, to keep legislation that is opposed by corporate interests or tax-averse billionaires, from coming to a vote, or even being discussed or debated.
Their success in keeping legislation that has the support of most people from being passed into law and the ugliness, anger, and bitterness they inject into the political process has caused a great many people to conclude that voting is pointless and that we are powerless to change the system that is in place. We are not powerless.
When we unite in support of Champions of Democracy, we will find that we already have all the power we need to make America a Perfect Democracy.
Politically Active Citizens need to help voters learn to identify Champions of Democracy and vote for them. That will create a political environment where -
True Friends and Champions of Democracy need not fear the results of thousands of elections.
About This Website
This website is designed and intended to serve as an informational resource and an organizational hub for a broad-based and inclusive pro-democracy movement, helping Politically Active Citizens and pro-democracy organizations work together to build support for the reforms needed to make America a Perfect Democracy and get those reforms enacted.
This website and our Government by the People group on Facebook, are the primary means by which we facilitate interactions between Politically Active Citizens who share the common goal of making America a Perfect Democracy.
Much of the material posted on this website is from Government by the People: A Citizens Guide to Making America a Perfect Democracy by Winston Apple. The full text of that book is posted in the Read More pages of this website.
About Perfect Democracy
Perfect Democracy is a non-profit, non-partisan Social Welfare Organization (also known as a "Super PAC").
The primary focus of PACs is on raising enormous amounts of money and then spending that money in support of candidates who will do the bidding of the people and organizations who contribute money. Most PACs are organized by corporations and billionaires as a vehicle for spending unlimited amounts of mostly “dark” money to get politicians who will do their bidding elected.
The primary focus of Perfect Democracy is on facilitating communication among Politically Active Citizens and coordinating the efforts of Politically Active Citizens and pro-democracy organizations as we work together to perfect democracy in America.
The primary emphasis of Perfect Democracy is on organizing a mass movement of Politically Active Citizens.
We actively solicit contributions of time. We utilize Perfect Democracy as the vehicle for raising whatever money is needed to cover the expenses of our operations and fund ad campaigns in support of democracy.
Perfect Democracy has an all-volunteer staff. One hundred percent of the money contributed to Perfect Democracy is used to promote democracy.
The key to making our Pro-Democracy Movement too big to fail is to compile and grow a database of Politically Active Citizens, pro-democracy voters, and Champions of Democracy. In communities and states that already have provisions for the initiative and/or referendums in the charters or constitutions, Politically Active Citizens are able to act as Citizen Legislators using the initiative to enact legislation that is supported by Citizens and using veto referendums to reject legislation enacted by legislative bodies that does not have the support of a majority of the Citizens. Our primary emphasis in communities and states that do not yet have provisions for referendums or the initiative is to elect Champions of Democracy to a majority of the seats in the governing legislative body, get systems of Personal Representation implemented and Perfect Democracy Amendments adopted.
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Some of the material on this website is adapted from a soon to be published book: Government by the People: Perfecting Democracy in the 21st Century by Winston Apple.
That content is Copyright 2026 Gary Winston Apple, unless otherwise noted.
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