Question

'Democracy transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen.' Support the statement with examples.

Answer 1

1. Democracy changes people from being subjects to being citizens. A citizen is a subject to law, which is arbitrary, but in a democracy, the rule of law guarantees that all citizens are treated equally and in accordance with the Constitution's norms, and that no one is above the law.
2. In a democracy, we are most concerned with ensuring that people will have the right to choose their rulers and people will have control over the rulers. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision making, that affects them all.
3. Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy.
4. All national citizens have equal status and access to opportunities in democracies. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy: it shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect and to look critically at power holders and the high and the mighty.
5. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project: it transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen. Most individuals today believe that their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest.