ANALYSE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEMOCRACY, INDIVIDUALISM AN

A detailed Summary of ANALYSE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEMOCRACY, INDIVIDUALISM AN

Democracy, individualism and the public interest are very closely related. Some of their models are even mutually exclusive. In order to understand and analyze their relations and controversies, we should examine the even nature of these notions.

Let's find out what the democracy is. The word itself means "rule by the people"1. In other words, people should govern the state. Though the definition is so simple, there are different theories and models of democracy. In each model there are different roles for the individuals and the public interest.

The classical model of democracy, or so-called "direct democracy" is the ancient, classical, form, where all the people participated in the process of decision-making and, as a result, governing the state. In this model the individual could express his own attitude and participate in the political life of the state. Or another form of it is referendum. If we accept the definition of individual as unique and independent, then he or she could develop as an independent and unique entity in such a system. But is the individual really independent in the classical model of democracy? Does this mean that a real political individualism can develop in such a system, if individualism means

If individualism means putting ones own interests and needs above interests and needs of the collective, what then are individual's interests and needs? It is difficult to answer this question, because the only logical answer is in the next question: what then human nature is, from which depends individual's interests and needs? Though we assume that each individual is unique, he must have some things in common with other individuals on the basis that there are human beings. Of course, human nature changes from society to society, from one historical period to another, but there must be some things in common, which determine human nature, and, as a result, determine what individual needs and wants.

At first sight, it is fair system, one can choose his own candidate or political party, who's electoral program and actions made on the political scene will coincide with the preferences and plans and goals of this individual. Through this candidate or party the voice of the individual can be heard, certain decisions can be made in the state to help the individual to express himself, to achieve his goals, to stay independent and unique. But as think, this is only deductive approach to this system. If we look closer, there are some controversies in this system, which show that individualism is not an important thing for the defenders of this system.

3. And if it occurs, if the individual completely supports the program of his/her candidate as a means by which his personal goals will be achieved, following the individualistic approach to the democracy, it does not mean, facing the truth, that all the promises made by the representative will be fulfilled. And, again, the interests of the individual will not be taken into account.

Here it is linked to the notion of the "public interest", or what is good for the people.

1. Here is danger that your party or your candidate can be in minority in elections or during making some decisions in the parliament. Then the certain interests of the certain individual will not be taken into account.

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Approximate Word count = 1625
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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