A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful.
A robust democracy requires active participation.
Democracy functions best when we have an active citizenry.
Democracy doesn't require a whole lot of work of its citizens, but it requires some: It requires taking a good look outside once in a while, and considering the bad news and what it might mean, and making the occasional tough choice, and soberly taking stock of what your real interests are.
Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing to improve the lives of their citizens. Therefore, they have a powerful incentive to keep their societies peaceful and prosperous.
Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.
But democracy isn't a state of perfection. It has to be improved, and that means constant vigilance.
We're a robust democracy here. That's the wonderful thing about this country.
The whole idea of a democracy is that we ourselves, the people, are supposed to make a path of our politics, and it is we who with our feet and our vote and our labors and our vigilance are supposed to shape our country.
The beauty of democracy is that an average, random, unremarkable citizen can lead it.