Democratic Ideals

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Democratic Ideals is a rhetorical phrase used to denote either personal qualities or standards of government behavior that are felt to be essential for the continuation of a democratic policy. Advocates for causes across the political spectrum use this phrase in attempting to engage in persuasion, particularly by contrasting some situation which has been allowed to continue for pragmatic or social reasons, but which those advocating action regard as being wrong in principle. Advocates for greater equality in the distribution of wealth, for example, will argue that inequalities create differing levels of opportunity, and that equality is a "democratic ideal". Other times, advocates of one political outlook or another will use the phrase to energize support among their constituencies, despite knowing that their political opponents use precisely the same phrase to do precisely the same thing. [1][2]

Frequently the importance of human rights is listed as a central democratic ideal[3][4], as well as instilling in military and civilian governmental personnel the attitudes and methods which will prevent their actions from infringing on those rights.[5]

Democratic ideals are often cited as a reason for patriotism, for example Woodrow Wilson's argument that America needed to enter World War I in order to make the world "Safe for Democracy".

1 Historical development
2 Controversy
3 Other uses of the term
4 See also
5 Citations and references
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Historical development

[edit] Controversy

As much as the exact content of "Democratic Ideals" are a matter of controversy,[6] so is another aspect implied by their being termed as universal moral norms: namely, the export of Democracy, if necessary by force. Nations which have seen themselves as more Democratic have, in the view of some paradoxically, been willing to export their system to other states or nations by force, beginning, most famously, with Athens[7], but also including America at the end of the 19th century [8] and France[9] during the first decade after the French Revolution.

[edit] Other uses of the term

In historical texts, the phrase is often used to denote aspirations or norms of behavior, separate from a functioning democracy, including egalitarianism, self-government, self-determination and freedom of conscience.