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The truth about democracy
(I hope this isn't an obituary)
Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
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Democracy is a state where:
- Citizenship is universal. All native-born children are citzens; all children born abroad of at least one citizen parent are citizens; all non-citizens who swear allegiance to the state in a process of naturalization are citizens.
- Citizenship is equal. All citizens receive the right to vote upon reaching the age of majority. All citizens have the right to participate in and influence public affairs. Leaders or representaitves are chosen on a one man/one vote principle.
- Citizenship is inalienable. A set of guaranteed civil liberties is in place to assure full and open discourse on civic affairs. No citizen shall be deprived of his citizenship by the state for expressing a minority point of view, no matter how unpopular or outrageous.
That's my definition. As can be seen in the video, Athenian democracy didn't live up to that.