Fundamental Principles of Modern Democratic Systems

In the past, men were governed on behalf of kings. Today, the agencies that allow the government of complex societies are called bureaucracy or administrative bureaucracy.

Criteria for Effective Participation

All members of society should recognize the same ability to express their views on those issues that have to do with the main priorities of the government of their community.

Equal Voting Rights for All Adults

All members of this society must have the same ability to influence the governance of their community. All adult individuals shall have the right to vote, all votes have the same value, and all individuals have an effective capacity to exercise their right to vote. In most societies, the vote is organized so that:

• All individuals can vote (even if not everyone wants to).
• All individuals have the opportunity to vote (if they want to).
• All votes are counted according to the same objective criteria.

Enlightened Understanding and Informed Citizenship

Being a citizen of a democratic state involves the acquisition of a responsibility that otherwise would not be political. A citizen has to be minimally informed about the different alternatives. Enlightened understanding: a democracy must provide the possibility for its citizens to learn about problems, proposed solutions, and their consequences, and be able to understand their implications.

Criteria for Controlling the Political Agenda

This refers to the various events that a government should be addressing over a certain period of time. It cannot be absolutely controlled by any single person or group of persons; instead, it must be open to suggestions from different people or groups.

The Spanish Constitution of 1978

1. The Constitution (1978) was written by the Cortes, whose representatives were elected by majority vote.
2. The Constitution was adopted by a majority vote of the citizens in a referendum.
3. The Spanish Constitution is a set of general principles and rules that organize common life within our covered state territory.

Global Momentum for Democratization

There is significant momentum worldwide for democratization for two reasons:

• Because in the population of non-democratic countries, there is a sincere desire for a transformation of political institutions towards a democratic system.
• Because in countries that have recently achieved this transformation, the main preoccupation is consolidating the newly won democratic organization.