Freedom and Equality  Rousseau assumed that democracy will produce a classless society since every one has equal rights to have a say in the process of politics.  Although he argued the virtues of the democracy and how it creates societies without classes, he saw women as subordinates of men.  The inequalities between men and women are because of natural causes.  They are naturally not equal and therefore the political process should be determined by men.  Everyone’s understanting of freedom and equality is different.

 Creating counter arguments for sake of responding an idea that is not complete may produce incomplete results.  Greeks took granted that democracy was consistent with slavery, Rousseau thought it was consistent with gender inuqalities, Mary Wollstonecraft, in 1792, indicated that democracy was consisten with disfranchisment of the poor.  She thought, those who have property should vote, since they can act rationally.  It is obvious that right to vote did not bring the responsibilty to be informed about political, economical and social matters.

 But, houshold machinary might have created an ease on women to be more engaged and at least informed about political matters.  So, advancement in technology has helped people to have time to learn more about political matters.  The notion of freedom in Rousseau’s thought is limited based on what we understand from freedom today.  Atheism is barred in Rousseau’s democratic society.  Then, intolarant religions need to be banned.  All citizens should affirm the civil religion.

 What is freedom?  How would you describe it?  Does it have anything to do with rationality?  Rousseau belives that rational life can be lived only in a society.  Indivudials are expected to act consistent with general will.  He believes that social bond will increase the value of freedom.

 Notion of social contract may justify even dictator regimes’ atrocities.  Some have criticized Rousseau’s thought about “general will”.  I think it is not fair to say that the notion will lead social conflicts. Each individual might be different, but we have common needs and traits. That is what makes a nation.  Rousseau’s idea about social disobedience or dissenters is very harsh; he perceives the act as treason.  Although it is believed individual differences will help democratic procedure positively and it is good for society by many, Rousseau thinks dissenters should be punished on the bases of disobedience; they are disfranchised.

Participatory Democracy  Although Rousseau advocated direct democracy, his reservations for individual rights and minority views have led critics to create a new model of democracy which is called participatory democracy.  Critics believe that there should be more room for individual involvement in decision making procedure and more tolerance and respect for dissenters.  Rousseau’s idea that important decisions, like war, should not be made by regular citizens, but by executives.  This notion is being challenged by critics of Rousseau.

 They think that it is very easy to be informed about events in today’s world; communication is very easy and rapid.  No need to be concerned about lack of information in making the decisions for regular people.  They can participate in serious decisions as well.  How does participatory democracy work?  Do you think citizens can participate in every decision made?  Who will pose the question or set the agenda?  If someone else is setting the agenda, then how far can the participants go? Role of experts and those who hold the power are important in the process.

Representative Democracy  In Plato’s system of governing, people are not given any choice; the guardians are in charge.  In the theory of participatory democracy, administrators are not given much power, but people have the power to act on political matters.  In representative democracy, as the third way, people make laws and administrators carry them out.  John Steward Mill supports this model of democracy.  This is the only way that democracy can be applied and can survive in the modern world.

 Proper function of government is important in understanding why representative democracy is the only one can survive.  Mill says government has two main duties: to improve the citizens and to manage the public affairs.  To understand if a government is effective or not we need to look at these two aspects.  How much of good is done to individuals and if the public affairs are organized effectively.  Do you think the government has a responsibility to interfere with its citizens’ moral well-being?

 Mill thinks that government has a responsibility.  Although government businesses require expertise, citizens should engage in local government business and legal matters like jury services.  This will improve their skills that they cannot acquire in some other ways.  Mill sees some threats to the democracy.  He argues that there is a possibility that some people who are not for the job will be nominated for the public post.  The rulers should be like what Plato described; knowledgeable.  Least willing to be nominated for a public post.

 An alternative idea to this is the American democracy.  The system of separation of powers. This way, the branches of the government will check on one another and system will not go corrupt.  Mill support this notion with dispersing the power among the different branches of government so that it does not threaten the liberties and freedom.  In addition, Mill proposes that members of government should not be paid, but should live off the donations.  This way, it will not be attractive for many to fight for the post.  Those people who have a sense of social responsibility will accept the post.

 Mill thinks that people should vote openly, not secretly.  They should be held accountable for their votes.  Therefore, it should be a matter of public record as well as a public control system that people do not vote for self- interest, but for the common good.  Do you think this approach is questionable? What are the dangers of this method?  Mill thinks that those who are not educated or are illiterate should not be given the privilege of voting.  Those who are intelligent and educated might be given right to vote more than once.

 He believes that those poor, uneducated, jobless people will make bad decisions for the country.  They will raise the taxes on wealthy, increase the salary of workers; relax the working conditions which will lead economic slowdown.  This will lead the country to disaster for the long run.

Protecting the Minority  Mill thinks that representation of the minority is important in democracies.  He favors proportional representation system.  Whatever means are needed should be used for making it available for minorities.  Not just representation, but also protection of the minorities is important for a full fledge democracy.  Small ethnic groups, minority religions and races need to be protected from the tyranny of the majority rule.

 The one solution to this is to keep the government small like it was intended to be in the US.  Government should not interfere in private life and cultural-social issues.  In some ways, Mill’s system leans more towards Plato’s system.  It is obvious that even if individuals are given rights to be free and equal, they may not be able to practice these rights unless they have proper education and enough property.  So, for the democracy should work well, there needs to be a classless society and everyone is well-educated.

 It seems like democracy is the process, not the ultimate goal.  It is believed that society will find its right path by giving the chance to them and providing the infrastructure for freedom, equality and justice for all.  Then society will reach its maturity to determine the best for itself.