Moral Vs. Prudential Reasons

Firstly, it’s important to distinguish between moral and prudential reasons for supporting democracy. Moral reasons usually centre on the ideas of individual dignity, freedom, and equality. Prudential reasons could include better outcomes in terms of economic performance, social justice, and conflict resolution. Often, these two kinds of reasons overlap, but not always.

What Can We Expect From Democracies?

1.Promotion Of Equality: Democracies, by allowing voting and political participation, provide a platform for all citizens to be treated equally under the law. However, this doesn’t automatically translate into social or economic equality.

2.Enhancement Of Individual Dignity: The freedoms and protections offered under a democratic system serve to uphold human dignity, although the extent can vary.

3.Quality Of Decision-Making: The democratic process allows for various perspectives to be considered, potentially leading to more balanced decisions. However, it also leaves room for populism and short-sighted policy-making.

4.Conflict Resolution: Democracy offers institutional methods for conflict resolution, such as courts and legislative debates, but does not eliminate conflicts.