Disrespecting Democracy Without the ability to fully participate in a democracy, is it considered a democracy at all? Democracy relies on the belief that all people are created equal each. While some political theorists would say that deliberation is necessary in democracy because it allows the public to participate in government, others would argue that because of the inherent disregard for mutual respect, it is impossible for most to engage in change, destroying the fundamental values of democracy.
Deliberation is explained by Lynn M. Sanders in her piece, Against Deliberation as, “a commitment to finding a way to address concerns, resolve disagreements, and overcome conflicts by offering arguments supported by reasons to our fellow citizens”…show more content… The two writers disagree on the responsibility a citizen has to it’s democracy, however, they both assert that without deliberation there would be no way to invoke change in government. They believe the deliberation process is best seen through lobbying, in his piece Democracy and Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery: Elections, Equality, and the Minimal Human Being, Mueller says, “Essentially, democracy- government that is necessarily responsive- takes effect when people agree not to use violence to overthrow the government and when the government leaves them free to criticize [and] to pressure” (Mueller 985). Mueller believes deliberation means not resulting to violence and maintaining a mutual respect between two parties in order to result in beneficial actions. Ketcham believes the same in Citizenship and Good Democratic Government, saying “leaders are obligated to pay attention and respond to the varied voices and needs of the people, expressed not only through representative institutions but through all the other peaceful ways” (Ketcham 1). Ketcham believes that deliberation with respect, is key in order for a democratic society to function. Because, without the respect between the two, people and government, there would be no deliberation, and no
