After all, What is DEMOCRACY? (PART THREE)

As pointed out before, most of us appear to take the meaning of Democracy for granted, and consequently we tend to end-up in a confused state (of talking past each other) when deeply embedded in our political discussions.

Since this will be Part Three of our discussion on Democracy and since we had such a good and serious discussion the last two times, we will less likely fall into this trap. Yet, we need to take another, deeper dive by continuing our practice of thinking about Democracy.

It is also requested that you watch on Youtube the short eight and a half (8-1/2) minute video from 1988 entitled ‘Noam Chomsky on Democracy’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljaXy1t0I44 before coming, in order to further enhance our deep dive into this important discussion, and since we will not be able to show the clip this time, while at the meeting.

On the other hand, individuals who did not make Parts One or Two should nevertheless feel comfortable attending this session, since a lot of what was said last time will no doubt be repeated.

Like the last two times, a series of proposed democracy assumptions (to be questioned/challenged of course) has been provided below in an effort to help us anchor our common understanding of democracy.

Although we may not come to full agreement as to what democracy is and means, we should at least be clear on what we, as individuals, mean by the use of the term.

In any case, let us honestly do our best to come closer on our meaning of democracy, in the name of Platonic truth seeking.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

HERE ARE SOME DEMOCRACY ASSUMPTIONS

Democracy assumes individuals to have a degree of freedom and uniqueness, with intrinsic worth and creativity, and therefore not wholly products of the social environment, or biology.

Democracy assumes the right of all social members to equally participate in determining the community’s future.

Democracy assumes a higher degree of cooperation among community members (consensus building) over a competitive, winner-take-all approach to decision making.

Democracy assumes a full set of rights that protects the minority from the majority.

Democracy assumes equal opportunity for all members of the community.

Democracy assumes individual and social equality of all members of the community.

Democracy assumes rule-of-law based on the above assumptions.

Democracy assumes fairly equal power relations between social individuals.

Please think about these assumptions and we will discuss them on Friday August 9, 2019

For those who wish, we will have dinner afterwards