The "Real Gist" of a Perfect Democracy

“Democracy is a word, the real gist of which still sleeps, quite unawakened. It is a great word whose history, I suppose, remains unwritten, because that history has yet to be enacted.” ~ Walt Whitman

This quotation is from Democratic Vistas, which was published in 1871. Whitman’s assertion that the history of democracy “has yet to be enacted” might be confusing to anyone who was taught in school that ancient Athens was the “Cradle of Democracy” and that America sparked a rebirth of democracy in 1776 with our Declaration of Independence and subsequent victory in the American Revolution.

Whitman is clearly implying that ancient Athens and America at its founding were not true democracies. His statement that “the real gist” of democracy “still sleeps, quite unawakened”, implies that that most people, at that time, did not truly understand what it means to call a government a democracy. The same could be said of many people today.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

Democracy is a word that is often used a bit too casually and sometimes deliberately misused. Democracy has, and has always had, a great many false friends and true enemies who have actively, relentlessly, and successfully sought to prevent people from developing a shared understanding of democracy or even agree upon a clear definition of democracy.

The work of making America (or any other country) a Perfect Democracy begins with agreeing on a clear definition of democracy and developing a shared understanding of the elements that make a government a True Democracy, as well as the additional characteristics needed to make a government a Perfect Democracy.

Defining Democracy

George Orwell addressed the problem of defining democracy in his essay “Politics and the English Language” (1946). He made the point that "the great enemy of clear language is insincerity”, resulting from “a gap between one's real and one's declared aims”. In that context, he identified some political words that have been “abused” to the point that they have “several different meanings which cannot be reconciled with one another”. Regarding democracy, he said:

“In the case of a word like democracy, not only is there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides. It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic, we are praising it: consequently, the defenders of every kind of regime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using that word if it were tied down to any one meaning.”

It is true that democracy has come to mean different things to different people but attempts to define democracy are not “resisted from all sides” – only by the defenders of other kinds of regimes – the false friends and true enemies of democracy.

George Orwell (1903-1950)

For anyone who is sincere and feels no need to hide their real aims, defining “democracy” is a simple matter. The word is derived from the Greek word demokratia, which was formed from two other Greek words: demos (meaning “the people”) and kratia (which means “have power”). A democratic government, therefore, is one in which the people have power. Another Greek word – kratos, which means “to rule” – is also relevant here. In a democracy, the people rule.

And there is considerable agreement on what is now the most common definition of democracy. Unitarian minister and abolitionist Theodore Parker in his sermon “The effect of slavery on the American people” (which he delivered on July 4, 1858), stated that “Democracy is direct self-government, over all the people, by all the people, for all the people.” Abraham Lincoln’s law partner, William Herndon, shared a copy of that sermon with Lincoln, who made note of that phrase and later incorporated a modified version of it in his Gettysburg Address, famously describing democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. Although Lincoln did not use the word democracy in his Gettysburg address, he popularized this definition.

We can define democracy even more succinctly. Government of the people is a given. The people of every nation are governed. Government being “for the people” is rare. Most governments around the world throughout history have served the private interests of a ruling class or powerful elite rather than the common interest. If we want government of the people to be government for the people, we must have government by the people.

DEMOCRACY IS GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE.

Armed with a clear definition of democracy, we can turn our attention to developing a shared understanding of democracy.

“A Revolution in the principles and practice of Governments”

Once upon a time...

John Locke wrote a book that changed the world. Not immediately. And not as much as it could have or should have, but a book that changed the world, nonetheless. Prior to the publication of Locke’s Second Treatise of Government in 1689, political philosophers had generally considered a monarchy or an aristocracy to be the best form of government because they believed those who shared power should be wise and virtuous and they considered wisdom and virtue to be extremely rare.

Locke had a more generous view of human nature. A deeply spiritual man, he placed both individual liberty and political power within a moral framework informed by his theories regarding life in the state of Nature. He stated, as “self-evident” truths, that “all men by nature are equal”, endowed by God with natural rights to “life, health, liberty, (and) possessions”; that “the end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom”, and that “the consent of the people” is the only “lawful basis” for government.

If these ideas sound familiar, it’s because they were immortalized by Thomas Jefferson, who was clearly inspired by Locke as he wrote the Declaration of Independence, which included a concise summary of Locke’s ideas:

John Locke (1632-1704)

Those ideas were revolutionary. Demonstrably so. They provided the inspiration and the justification for the American Revolution. They have been inspiring people around the world ever since. Ratified by victory in our war for independence, they triggered what Thomas Paine called a “Revolution in the principles and practice of Governments”.

That Revolution remains incomplete. More than three centuries after Locke wrote his Second Treatise of Government and two and a half centuries after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the world has yet to see Locke’s vision of democracy fully realized in any nation. That does not alter the fact that Locke’s Second Treatise retains its value as a resource for developing a shared understanding of democracy. No one has done a better job, before or since, of describing the “real gist” of democracy.

The Essential Elements of a True Democracy

Majority Rule

John Locke used the word democracy only twice in his Second Treatise of Government. He used the word “majority” frequently. He identified majority rule as the essential element that puts the “form” of “a perfect democracy” in place. His support for majority rule was unequivocal.

He asserted that “the majority (have) the whole power of the community naturally in them” because “every man, by consenting with others to make one body politic under one government, puts himself under an obligation, to everyone of that society, to submit to the determination of the majority, and to be concluded by it.”

Numerous other political philosophers have since concurred, including some of the most prominent figures among America’s Founders. Thomas Jefferson, whole-heartedly endorsed majority rule, stating that, “It is my principle that the will of the majority should always prevail.”

Locke also identified two other elements of a true democracy that flow from majority rule: an equal vote (or equal representation) for every citizen and the supremacy of the legislative power.

An Equal Vote and/or Equal Representation

It is impossible to accurately determine the will of the majority unless every citizen has an equal vote and/or equal representation. Locke stressed the importance of maintaining “a state…of equality wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another. If the people decide to delegate the power to enact laws, he emphasized that “it is the interest as well as the intention of the people to have fair and equal representation.”

The Supremacy of the Legislative Power

Locke stated that “there can be but one supreme power, which is the legislative, to which all the rest are and must be subordinate.” The supremacy of the legislative power is established and maintained by having the laws that are made by the people executed by “officers of their own appointing”.

The "Real Gist" of a Perfect Democracy

Majority rule, an equal vote and/or equal representation for all, and the supremacy of the legislative power make a government a True Democracy and put the form of a Perfect Democracy in place. Several additional elements must be in place to make a government a Perfect Democracy: Among the citizens who choose to be politically active, a majority must be well-educated, well-informed, and, most importantly, must respect the rights of others. In other words, a majority of politically active citizens must understand and agree that (as Locke put it) “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom”.

The argument could be made that for a government to be a Perfect Democracy, in the strictest sense of the term, all politically active citizens must be well-educated, well-informed, and respectful of the rights of others. However, just as Locke pointed out that democracies act upon “the consent of the majority” because “it is impossible” to obtain the “the consent of every individual”, we may bestow the honorific of “Perfect Democracy” on a government where most of the citizens who choose to be politically active are well-educated, well-informed, and respect the rights of others and consistently govern “with a view to the common interest”.

Making America a Perfect Democracy

Two Elegantly Simple (Yet Incredibly Powerful) Reforms

Given the grim reality of politics-as-usual in America today, the idea of making America a Perfect Democracy may strike many Americans as hopelessly idealistic. It is idealistic. It is not hopeless. Our nation was founded upon democratic ideals. When we set aside the differences that divide us and unite in support of Our Ideals, we will find that we (the People) have the power to alter the form of our government and make America a Perfect Democracy.

Making America a Perfect Democracy will require perfecting both direct democracy and representative democracy. Two elegantly simple, yet incredibly powerful, reforms will accomplish that – Perfect Democracy Amendments and Proxies for Citizens.

Perfect Democracy Amendments

In a Perfect Democracy, proposed legislation should be put on the ballot through the initiative for approval or rejection by voters in a referendum, anytime it appears likely that a legislature has failed to enact legislation that is supported by most of the citizens of a community, state, or nation. Veto referendums should be called anytime it appears likely that a legislature has enacted legislation that does not have the support of most of the citizens. The process involved in calling referendums and using the initiative should not require raising millions of dollars and gathering hundreds of thousands of signatures on paper petitions.

Perfect Democracy Amendments will extend the use of referendums and the initiative to the federal government and the states that do not yet have provisions for those powerful forms of direct democracy in their constitutions and make it easier to call referendums and use the initiative by allowing citizens to “sign” petitions electronically, by submitting Statements of Support through Online Accounts for Politically Active Citizens.

Learn More About Perfect Democracy Amendments

Proxies for Citizens

The term “proxy” refers to both a form giving a designated person the authority to represent you, especially in voting, and the person to whom you give that authorization. When you assign your proxy to someone, you authorize them to vote on your behalf and they then act as your proxy.

The best way to ensure that all Politically Active Citizens have “fair and equal representation” and are represented by someone who votes as they would vote, is to implement systems of Proxies for Citizens that give every citizen the right to assign a proxy to any one member of each legislative body that governs them, and then allow each member of that legislative body to cast a number of votes equal to the number of proxies they have been assigned (plus one for themselves) on everything voted on in Congress or a state legislature. Citizens should also be able to reassign their proxies at any time. That will allow Politically Active Citizens to vote (indirectly) on every issue of concern to them.

Implementing systems of Proxies for Citizens will instantly transform Congress and state legislatures into truly democratic institution and bring a system of representation as close as possible to Perfect Democracy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROXIES FOR CITIZENS

Perfecting Democracy in the 21st Century

The primary flaw in the versions of democracy that were in place in ancient Athens and in America at the time of our nation's founding, was the fact that participation in civic affairs was severely limited. Women were not allowed to vote or hold office. Systems of slavery were in place and slaves were not allowed to vote. Not even all males were allowed to vote in either case. In Athens, only those born to Athenian parents were allowed to vote. In America there were additional requirements to vote or hold office, generally involving a minimum net worth or ownership of a minimum amount of property.

The invention of the printing press made written materials more affordable, and the introduction of public education greatly increased the percentage of the population which was literate. These developments created a situation where knowledge and information were broadly shared. That led, eventually, to the introduction of two powerful forms of direct democracy could be introduced - referendums and the initiative.

Modern technology has now made it possible for people to share thoughts and ideas across vast spaces of time and place in additional ways – through audio and video and the Internet. Along with making it easier to call referendums, we need to do a better job of utilizing the Internet to enable people to have respectful and constructive discussions about the issues that will be voted on. In addition to giving citizens the power to sign initiative petitions and assign and reassign proxies through Online Accounts for Politically Active Citizens, we need to make accurate information and knowledge more easily accessible to citizens

The fact that conflict and chaos draw listeners and viewers, and that ratings drive profits, has led to tsunami of anger fear, and hatred generated by misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies being pumped into the airwaves and the Internet. Calm, rational, and serious discussions of the problems we face as a nation and conflicts that need to be resolved, will never be able to draw as many listeners and viewers. That doesn't mean we should not make every effort to counter misinformation and disinformation with useful information; counter lies with powerful doses of Truth; and counter conspiracy theories (with no basis in reality) with a reality that is conducive to people succeeding in their pursuit of happiness.

Minor Changes with Major Benefits

In a survey conducted in 2021, 85% of Americans surveyed agreed that we need to completely reform or make major changes to our political system. Of course, many people say they want change but get nervous and hesitant when confronted with specific proposals for changes. Perfect Democracy Amendments and implementing systems of Proxies for Citizens are minor changes with major benefits. They will change our system no more than necessary to make America a Perfect Democracy.

These reforms are foundational. Enacting either one, or both, of these reforms will put the form of a Perfect Democracy in place and empower the people of a state (and ultimately the people of America) to enact additional reforms and pass all of the legislation needed to address a host of critical issues that have gone unaddressed for far too long due to the corruption and dysfunction that have kept our government from being a True Democracy.

These reforms are transformative. Perfect Democracy Amendments shift power to the people. Implementing systems of Proxies for Citizens will shift power within representative assemblies to members who represent the will of the people. That will transform Congress and state legislatures into truly democratic institutions.

Join the Campaign

All that is necessary to Make America a Perfect Democracy is for enough Politically Active Citizens to do something.

Communication is vital within a broad-based grassroots movement and to make direct democracy as effective as possible in a nation as large as the United States. To facilitate communication, we encourage you to provide your email address, join the “Government by the People” group on Facebook, and follow “Government by the People” on X.

A political action committee (Perfect Democracy) has been formed to finance and facilitate the implementation of this plan. The acronym PAC ordinarily stands for "Political Action Committee". Perfect Democracy is developing a different kind of PAC - a broad-based and inclusive movement of "Politically Active Citizens".

BE A CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY - TAKE ACTION - JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

About This Website

To raise the money necessary to put the ideas shared on this website into practice, a Super PAC - Perfect Democracy - has been organized. Super PACs are technically known as "Social Welfare Organizations". We intend to live up to both the letter and the spirit of that designation. We are a fundamentally different type of PAC. Although we will need to raise money to support our efforts, the campaign to Make America a Perfect Democracy will be powered by Politically Active Citizens.

This website is intended to serve as a resource and an organizational and informational hub for Politically Active Citizens who want to work together to Make America a Perfect Democracy.

This website presents a detailed plan for putting the form of a Perfect Democracy in place in every state that makes up the United States and transforming Congress and state legislatures into truly democratic institutions. The plan is complete but is open to modification based on input from the Politically Active Citizens who choose to get involved in the movement to implement the plan and in response to events as they unfold.

Most of the material on this website is adapted from a soon-to-be published book (Government by the People: A Citizens’ Guide to Making America a Perfect Democracy by Winston Apple).

The material on this website is adapted from a soon to be published book: Government by the People: A Citizen's Guide to Making America a Perfect Democracy by Winston Apple.

Permission is granted to share with proper attribution. All Rights are Reserved.

This website is paid for by Perfect Democracy - a 501(c)4 political action committee.