• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chandler's Ford Today

  • Home
  • About
    • About Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research
  • Blog
    • Blogging Tips
  • Event
    • Upcoming Events
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • GP Surgeries
    • Leisure
    • Library
    • Charities
      • Eastleigh Basics Bank
      • Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler’s Ford
    • Fair Trade
      • Traidcraft stalls in Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford Parish Council
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Site Policies
  • Site Archive
    • Site Archive 2018
    • Site Archive 2017
    • Site Archive 2016
    • Site Archive 2015
You are here: Home / Community / Democracy – More Than Just A Vote?

Democracy – More Than Just A Vote?

October 8, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 8 Comments

There will be a general election in a few months. I began to think about what this democracy thing really is. Why do we have governments anyway?

Originally a leader would undertake to protect his people from marauding gangs in return for food, some service or labour. This is still the foundation of government but the protection has now extended to flood, fire, famine, our fellow man disease and poverty. In return we pay taxes.

Leaders embody greater strength and effectiveness if more people join them. They, in turn, must strive to improve the lot of more people. Just now there seems to be a struggle to decide how many powers should be centralised to Westminster or Europe and how many devolved to other counties, regions and cities within the United Kingdom. These matters transcend party politics.

One person, one vote?

Democracy is “one person – one vote” every school child knows that. But it is much more than that for it can only exist under certain conditions. During decolonisation we tried to establish democracies in the newly liberated countries. Some of the new presidents took the mantra to be “one person, one vote, once.” They then became dictators for life and set up a ruling dynasty of their family.

Enfranchisement

We haven’t given that much thought to enfranchisement recently. Since 1928 in fact when all women became entitled to vote. At the same time women gained the right to become members of parliament.

Emmeline Pankhurst, suffragette
Emmeline Pankhurst, suffragette died 1928. Statue in Victoria Tower Gardens.

Some countries in Europe have been slow to extend suffrage to women. It did not happen in Switzerland until 1971 and Lichtenstein in 1984. Saudi Arabia does not allow women to do much, they are supposed to get the vote in 2015 but it has already been put off twice. We in UK are planning to extend suffrage to 16 year olds and, if the EU prevails, to prisoners also.

By Topical Press Agency, photographer unknown (Hulton Archive - Getty Images) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. After selling her home, Pankhurst travelled constantly, giving speeches throughout Britain and the United States. One of her most famous speeches, Freedom or death, was delivered in Connecticut in 1913. Emmeline Pankhurst addresses a crowd in New York City in 1913.
Emmeline Pankhurst addresses a crowd in New York City in 1913. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Emmeline Pankhurst 1858-1928. Born in Manchester and died just weeks before the Representation of the People Act (1928), the act granting universal suffrage, became law. During her life of political activism she had worked for the Labour Party, the Liberals and eventually the Conservatives who she thought were more effective in countering Bolshevism.

Institutions

As well as universal suffrage we need three other important institutions. One is the right to free speech (and this is being questioned today). Another is a strongly independent rule of law. The third is a two way trust between the people and the government that we are prepared to live under a democracy.

The institutions interact with democracy in important ways. At the end of the 18 century the government supported slavery. We were growing rich through the slave trade and the use of slave labour. It was good for the economy. No politician would wish to speak against it. But, because of free speech many people became aware of the injustice of it. “Am I not a man and a brother?” was the logo of the anti-slavery group and printed on a medallion designed by Josiah Wedgwood. Through speech and publication the movement grew until the government abolished slavery in 1833.

"Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" Artist: unknown American. Image via <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Unknown_American_-_Am_I_Not_a_Man_and_a_Brother%3F_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>.
“Am I Not a Man and a Brother?” Artist: unknown American. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

The laws are made by the government but administered by the judiciary. Governments cannot jail people they do not like or are a nuisance. Only the judiciary can do that and only if laws have been broken. This idea came from the Magna Carta in 1215.

Magna Carta – The Great Charter – declared that all are equal under the law, even Kings. Everyone is entitled to a fair trial and people should not be taxed unless they have some say in government.

There are 4 copies of the Magna Carta, two in the British library, one in Lincoln and one in Salisbury cathedrals.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

The trust is a two way thing, it is part of an unwritten constitution. The leader trusts the people to support and co-operate with him and the government. We, the people, agree to do that for a period of time but then we can re-assess the government and change it. Part of that trust is that the elected government will guard the interests of all the people, even those that did not vote for it.

This trust broke in Egypt recently when the democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood began to govern solely for the benefit of its own people. The tender young shoots of democracy cannot thrive in those conditions. Neither can democracy survive in countries where the supporting institutions are weak or absent, Iraq, for instance.

What about freedom? The great strength of democracy is that it gives more people more freedom than any other form of government. We are all free to do whatever is not contrary to the rights of others. What are the rights of others? They are embodied in another great institution – Human Rights.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email

Related posts:

My Poignant Visit to Auschwitz 30 Years Ago EU – In or Out?
Tags: education, election, politics, viewpoint

About Mike Sedgwick

Retired, almost. Lived in Chandler's Ford for 20 years. Like sitting in the garden with a beer on sunny days. Also reading, writing and flying a glider. Interested in promoting science.

I work hard as a Grandfather and have a part time job in Kandy, Sri Lanka for the winter months. Married to a beautiful woman and between us we have two beautiful daughters and 3 handsome sons.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Peter Child says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:13 am

    A very interesting article should be read by all so that they feel guilty and get out and vote! The thing I find very frustrating is the VERY poor turnout, Hiltingbury does better than most with around 40% but that means 60% don’t bother, is that democracy, as they say may not be perfect but is the best we’ve got unfortunately!!

    Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      October 9, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      In my parents and my siblings’ country – Singapore, voting for Singapore’s presidential elections or parliamentary elections is compulsory for all eligible citizens. It is part of the responsibilities of being an adult Singapore citizen. I used to go to the polling station with my mother. Voting is considered sacred, or is treated seriously.

      I’m surprised the turnout rate was only 40% for Hiltingbury. Do you know why the Hiltingbury people are not bothered? Perhaps they are too comfortable with their life? Could it be that some people may feel that Hiltingbury is just so perfect, and election results won’t affect their life within their pleasant homes with beautiful walled gardens?

      Reply
  2. Ruby says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Democracy is so much more than how a government is elected. The winners have a responsibility to recognise that they are not the first choice of the whole electorate and have to cater for those who didn’t vote for them as well as those who did. The losers have to accept defeat graciously – OK, they weren’t chosen this time but will have another chance at the next election. And democracy doesn’t only extend to government; it applies to all group situations. Five people want to go for a meal: three want curry, two want pizza. The majority view prevails, but the three “winners” accept that the others didn’t want curry so don’t force them to have the hottest curry on the menu. Similarly, the two “losers” don’t go off in a huff, but stay with the group for the meal. After all, they might be in the majority for the next group decision – whether to go to the cinema or bowling after the curry.

    Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      October 9, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      Ruby always makes difficult issue sound so simple.

      Perhaps both curry and pizza are not ideal, the five would go for a new option, Chinese?

      Reply
      • Mike Sedgwick says

        October 10, 2014 at 8:29 pm

        You could go and get 5 different take-aways and eat together at home. Pizza, fish & chips, Chinese, Indian, Kebab.

        Reply
        • ruby says

          October 11, 2014 at 6:11 pm

          I like that idea. There are a few “International Buffet” restaurants about where you can do just that.

          Reply
  3. Mike Sedgwick says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:23 pm

    Of course you cannot always be democratic. The Captain of a ship for instance. In these situations one should listen to others’ views, they will be useful, but then you have to make a decision. It is only fair to explain why you made that decision. The heads of any organisation have to do this. If you know the decision is unpopular you may be able to give some leeway in the next decision or find some decision which could be subject of a vote.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Ruby made it to Private Eye's Pedantry Corner - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    January 24, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    […] On democracy: Curry or Pizza? […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Chandler's Ford Today blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

999, 111, 101, 112? Emergency Numbers You Must Know
101 Things to Put into Room 101
101 Things to Put into Room 101 - Part 7 - The Final Leg
Home
Peculiar British House Numbering System
Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler's Ford
Lockdown Afternoon Tea
Hidden Hampshire - Woodland Walks: Jermyns Lane
Part 4 - 101 Things to Put into Room 101
My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 - 1945 (Part 1)

Categories

Tags

arts and crafts books Chandler's Ford Chandler's Ford Today Chandler’s Ford community charity Christianity Christmas church community creative writing culture Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council education entertainment event family fundraising gardening good neighbours Hiltingbury Hiltingbury Road history hobby how-to interview Joan Adamson Joan Adelaide Goater local businesses local interest memory Methodist Church music nature news reading religion review social storytelling theatre travel Winchester Road writing

Recent Comments

  • Allison Symes on Richard Hardie, Authors Reach, and Lockdown
  • David Lamb on Richard Hardie, Authors Reach, and Lockdown
  • Janet Williams on Richard Hardie, Authors Reach, and Lockdown
  • Marcia B. Rose on 84 Charing Cross Road
  • Allison Symes on Richard Hardie, Authors Reach, and Lockdown
  • Mike Sedgwick on Richard Hardie, Authors Reach, and Lockdown

Regular Writers and Contributors

Janet Williams Allison Symes Mike Sedgwick Rick Goater Doug Clews chippy minton Martin Napier Roger White Andy Vining Gopi Chandroth Nicola Slade Wellie Roger Clark Ray Fishman Hazel Bateman SO53 News

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

Reviews of local performances and places

Reviews of local performances and places

Copyright © 2021 Chandler's Ford Today. WordPress. Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.