This is a US Department of State publication. In it you'll find things that explain what so many misinterpret. When you're confronted with people who don't get it, this is a great place to go to help them understand. Click below to go to the website.The Principles of Democracy (http://www.america.gov/publications/books/principles-of-democracy.html)
With what's been happening with gay marriage and the majority ruling, I think it's important to highlight this section because it applies to us all.Majority Rule, Minority Rights
On the surface, the principles of majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights would seem contradictory. In fact, however, these principles are twin pillars holding up the very foundation of what we mean by democratic government.
• Majority rule is a means for organizing government and deciding public issues; it is not another road to oppression. Just as no self-appointed group has the right to oppress others, so no majority, even in a democracy, should take away the basic rights and freedoms of a minority group or individual.
• Minorities – whether as a result of ethnic background, religious belief, geographic location, income level, or simply as the losers in elections or political debate – enjoy guaranteed basic human rights that no government, and no majority, elected or not, should remove.
• Minorities need to trust that the government will protect their rights and self-identity. Once this is accomplished, such groups can participate in, and contribute to their country's democratic institutions.
• Among the basic human rights that any democratic government must protect are freedom of speech and expression; freedom of religion and belief; due process and equal protection under the law; and freedom to organize, speak out, dissent, and participate fully in the public life of their society.
• Democracies understand that protecting the rights of minorities to uphold cultural identity, social practices, individual consciences, and religious activities is one of their primary tasks.
• Acceptance of ethnic and cultural groups that seem strange if not alien to the majority can represent one of the greatest challenges that any democratic government can face. But democracies recognize that diversity can be an enormous asset. They treat these differences in identity, culture, and values as a challenge that can strengthen and enrich them, not as a threat.
• There can be no single answer to how minority-group differences in views and values are resolved – only the sure knowledge that only through the democratic process of tolerance, debate, and willingness to compromise can free societies reach agreements that embrace the twin pillars of majority rule and minority rights.
Just wondering why this post is pinned after all it's a U.S. reference published by the U.S. State Dept.
I thought this was an international site, many don't like the U.S. State Dept, in fact I imagine that there's many that don't like the U.S. or it's policies etc.
Just curious.
-={LR}=-
Since it's the State Department, it's clearly meant for overseas consumption and not to be taken as some sort of domestic program.
/ US State Department, more 'do as we say, not as we do' then your parents
Quote from: Ladyrider on November 20, 2009, 12:08:23 PM
Just wondering why this post is pinned after all it's a U.S. reference published by the U.S. State Dept.
I thought this was an international site, many don't like the U.S. State Dept, in fact I imagine that there's many that don't like the U.S. or it's policies etc.
Just curious.
-={LR}=-
This is posted in the political forum and, as such, is appropriately posted. In this forum politics of all types have been discussed, not just politics in the United States.
I would imagine that if there are similar documents regarding the official stance of other countries available, they too could be pinned.
-Sandy
Quote from: Sandy on November 20, 2009, 12:19:41 PM
This is posted in the political forum and, as such, is appropriately posted. In this forum politics of all types have been discussed, not just politics in the United States.
I would imagine that if there are similar documents regarding the official stance of other countries available, they too could be pinned.
-Sandy
I agree entirely I was just wondering why it is "pinned" to appear at the top of the political forum. If the article is simply information then there is no need to "pin" it as if to highlight a political view etc, etc...
-={LR}=-
We are not exactly a democracy. We are more of a federal republic. CA with there prop system is what the geeks called demos or mob rule.
The 17 amendment stopped the states from appointing senators right after the 16 which allows income tax. Now the demos elects senators.
What is not mentioned which our founding fathers held so dearly is liberty. We have taken away citizens liberty in order to make more security and a nanny state.