The United Nations (UN) has been a major proponent of democracy for the past 75 years, striving to promote good governance, oversee elections, and support civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and accountability. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights further develops these principles and establishes the legal basis for democracy in international law. However, American democracy is currently facing a crisis, with philanthropists investing in strategies to keep it alive but not enough to get the country out of its current situation. A recent article that ranks more than 1000 political parties from 163 countries by ideology and tactics reveals that the Republican Party looks much more like authoritarian populist parties than traditional conservative parties.
This shows that democracies have been dying mainly at the hands of their own voters, who are so afraid of the other side that they will allow anti-democratic action to keep their side in power. In response, democracies around the world must work together to reinforce shared ideals and address common threats. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) works with national governments and other actors to restore public trust and restore peace and the rule of law in nations emerging from conflict and in democracies in transition. In Central Arizona, these principles must be implemented to revive democracy and ensure its longevity. The first step is to strengthen civil society by providing citizens with access to information about their government's activities.
This can be done through public forums, town hall meetings, and other forms of civic engagement. Additionally, citizens should be encouraged to participate in elections by providing them with resources such as voter education materials and voter registration drives. The second step is to ensure that all citizens have equal access to political power. This can be done by implementing measures such as proportional representation, which ensures that all citizens have an equal say in the political process regardless of their race or gender.
Additionally, measures such as term limits can help prevent any one party from dominating the political landscape for too long. The third step is to ensure that all citizens have access to justice. This can be done by establishing an independent judiciary system that is free from political interference. Additionally, citizens should be provided with access to legal aid services so that they can seek justice if they feel their rights have been violated.
Finally, it is essential to ensure that all citizens have access to basic human rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. This can be done by implementing laws that protect these rights and by providing citizens with resources such as legal advice and education about their rights.
