7 Reasons Americans Should Care About Their Democracy

Democracy is much more than just a type of political process. At its core, it is about valuing each person, regardless of their status, appearance, or background. A strong democracy reflects the following core values:

1. Fair representation that involves all people, including those who have been historically marginalized, based on a shared set of values, where people have equal political power and maximum opportunity to participate in a productive civic culture
2. Free, fair, and accessible elections that reflect the people’s will and allow them to hold their elected leaders accountable
3. Efficient, effective, and honest government that implements policies and delivers services that are responsive to the people and actually improves their quality of life, as opposed to a government corrupted by an elite few
4. Respect for the rule of law and promotion of equal justice, which means legal accountability for anyone who commits harm—even the most wealthy and powerful. This includes an independent court system that upholds the law in a fair and impartial manner
5. The rights of political minorities to have meaningful roles in the system, while also ensuring they respect election results, peaceful transfers of power, and U.S. law
6. Fundamental freedoms and human rights, including freedoms of expression, privacy, religion, assembly, and association, as well as freedom from fear or oppression
7. An independent news media focused on informing the public and holding the government accountable

A strong American democracy should reflect these values, which would help guarantee that government reflects the will of the people. Americans who care about these values can work together to build a robust democracy for the 21st century that can more effectively protect these ideals.