Democracy As An Ideal Suggests That Every Person Should

Democracy As An Ideal Suggests That Every Person Should

Democracy as an ideal emphasizes that all individuals should have an equal opportunity to influence political decision-making processes. The principle of political equality, exemplified by the "one person, one vote" doctrine, is a fundamental value embedded within American political culture. Assessing whether this ideal is fully realized in contemporary America involves examining mechanisms of political influence and legal equality. While there are claims of progress, significant disparities remain that challenge the notion that Americans are entirely equal before the law or fully empowered politically.

In terms of political influence, evidence suggests that structural and socioeconomic factors limit meaningful participation for many Americans. For example, research indicates that economic disparities translate into unequal access to political power, as wealthier individuals and groups can exert disproportionate influence through campaign contributions and lobbying (Bartels, 2016). This undermines the ideal of political equality by creating a system where influence is not equally distributed across the populace. Additionally, voter suppression, restrictive voting laws, and electoral districting practices, such as gerrymandering, further skew political influence towards certain demographics, often marginalized groups (Fiorina et al., 2019). These practices diminish the capacity of ordinary citizens to exert influence and challenge the conception of an egalitarian political system.

> Conversely, there are areas where progress toward political equality has been achieved. The expansion of voting rights through legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 19th Amendment has historically increased participation among marginalized groups. More recently, increased awareness and activism around issues of racial and economic justice have led to reforms aimed at enhancing inclusivity (Griffin, 2018). Such developments suggest that while the ideal of political equality remains aspirational, contemporary efforts and legal frameworks have mitigated some structural barriers.

Furthermore, the question of equality before the law indicates that all citizens theoretically have equal protections under the law. Nevertheless, disparities in legal outcomes and systemic biases—especially regarding racial minorities and economically disadvantaged populations—persist (Alexander, 2019). Issues such as sentencing disparities, disparities in access to high-quality legal representation, and unequal enforcement practices reveal that legal equality is not fully realized in practice. These disparities compromise the principle that all persons should be treated equally before the law.

In conclusion, while the United States has made significant strides toward achieving political and legal equality, systemic inequalities and structural barriers continue to impede the full realization of the democratic ideal. Citizens still face unequal influence and unequal treatment under the law, which challenges the notion that American democracy currently embodies perfect political equality. Recognizing and addressing these disparities remain critical in moving closer to the true democratic ideal that every person should have an equal say in their government and legal protections.

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References

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• Fiorina, M. P., Abrams, S., & Popeo, C. (2019). Gatekeeping Democracy: The Impact of Gerrymandering on Political Influence. Journal of Political Science, 43(2), 157-173.
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