Democratic values support the belief that an orderly society can exist in which freedom is preserved. But order and freedom must be balanced. In the early days of the French revolution, the members of the third estate agreed to stick together in the face of opposition from the king and nobles. The "Tennis Court Oath" became the first step towards representative democracy in France. The ideas of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" were immortalized in the three colors of the French flag.
Correspondingly, the American government has its roots in the seventeenth and eighteenth century enlightenment in Europe, a movement that questioned the traditional authority of the monarch to rule. What gives one person the right to rule another? Enlightenment philosophers answered the question by acknowledging the importance of establishing order. They were influenced by the chaos of medieval times, when a lack of centralized government brought widespread death and destruction. Havens from invaders and attackers were necessary for survival, so weaker people allied themselves with stronger ones, and kings came to rule who provided protection in return for work and allegiance from their subjects.
John Locke was the English philosopher who theorized that government was the manifestation of a general will of "the governed" that allowed the governed to change their governors at will. His book, Treatises on Civil Government, was very influential in the American Revolution.
As order was established and new economic patterns emerged, people began to question the king's right to rule. For example, John Locke, an eighteenth century English philosopher, theorized that the right to rule came from the “consent of the governed.” Montesquieu wrote with admiration about three "branches" of government that checked one another's power. Rousseau believed that communities were most justly governed by the “General Will” or Majority Rule of their citizens. Though the philosophers believed that rulers were important for maintaining order, they questioned the sacrifice of individual freedom that they saw under European monarchs.
Imagine a society in which everyone was perfectly free to do as he or she pleased. How long would it take for chaos to set in? Order implies a necessary loss of freedom if people are to survive. However, how far can order go? Democratic countries cherish individual freedom and generally believe that laws should not be repressive; a little order can be sacrificed in the name of liberty. So, balance should be maintained between order and liberty.
Democratic societies also expect another kind of balance: a compromise between liberty and equality. Complete liberty logically leads to inequality. A strong or ambitious person might acquire more goods and property than another, and someone is bound to dominate. But the line has to be drawn before an individual seizes power that greatly restricts the liberties of others.
Shouldn't governments help preserve some degree of equality for their citizens? But if they overemphasize equality, won't they restrict their citizens' liberty? For example, governments can bring about more equality by taxing rich citizens more than the poor, but if they carry their policies too far, won't they restrict the individual's freedom to strive for economic success? The balance between liberty and equality is an important cornerstone of democratic government.
In the late 18th century the founders created the blueprints for the United States government in an effort to achieve these delicate balances —between liberty and order, and between liberty and equality. Their success is reflected in the continuing efforts to refine them. The formula has changed with time, but the framework provided by the Constitution and the values expressed by the Declaration of Independence remain the same.
On contrary Afghanistan is a nascent democratic country encountering large sum of oppositions from multifaceted arena; be that political, ideological, social or economical. It has to pursue a long but persistent itinerary to achieve the status of vibrant democratic state, given the general will of people is respected and a real democracy is practiced. Subsequent to the collapse of the Taliban, Afghan representatives and the international community gathered in Bonn, Germany to establish a democratic government for post-Taliban Afghanistan. However, after momentous assassination of Osama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida’s heavy might was crushed. It was thought of fetching Taliban into political sphere with disclosure of course of negotiation which is the essence of democracy, keeping supremacy of constitution intact and making them renounce militancy, terrorism and unconditional acceptance of fair prosecution in accordance to magnitude of human rights violation committed, stand top priority. Democracy strengthens and despondency diminishes with all political stake holders and member of civil society taken on board, devising mutually agreed terms for negotiation with Taliban.
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows eligible citizens to participate equally, either directly or through elected representatives in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.
For instance, equality among human beings and acquiring opportunities based on merit are democratic principles. People receive opportunities and gain advantages through their capability, talent and skills in a democratic society. But, all social and political opportunities in Afghanistan’s political systems are based on appointment. People have obtained social and political opportunities based on their tribe, ethnicity or other relations of or bribe. Communalism, regionalism, nepotism, favoritism and all such ill-practices are all hostile to democracy leading to despondency.
Democracy is the latest, and the best form of government to be evolved by kind. It has taken centuries of experimentation to arrive at it. But it is the only form that allows man to live with dignity and promises him all opportunities develop his potential and justify his existence. The nascent democracy empowered in Afghanistan should perpetuate having been incorporated with bold initiatives taken in the greater interest of pitiable masses.
There are certain conditions which are absolutely necessary for the successful functioning of a democratic government. One of the most important essentials is a constitution which implies a rule of law rather than of men. Every citizen is granted equal right to pursue happiness, liberty, equality, justice and individuality, enshrined in the constitution, must be applied with letter and spirit, seeing as it curbs despotic tendencies of the rulers and safeguards the rights of the people. It ensures that there is no arbitrariness in governing people and members belonging to different groups are given an equal treatment.
Despondency ends when democracy flourishes in our country, given that the true essence of democratic values and culture, is understood, implemented and practiced devoid of inequity of any sort.