An Analysis of Basic Theoretical Problems with Democracy
Gu Su · Zhongguo Renmin Daxue xuebao · 2004
Democracy is essentially the rule by majority or by the people, but it is not the arbitrary rule by many, rather, the rule based on consent of the governed upon their free expression. There are some empirical features of democracy. There cannot be a democracy without open and free political competition, and the fundamental aim of democracy is to guarantee civil liberty as well as public policy-making. The foundation of democracy is a trust to individuals' creativity and abilities, so it advocates democratic ways of education. The Western society developed from ancient direct democracy to modern indirect democracy, and to current mixed form of both. The key to democracy is its essential content rather than forms. Currently, feasible practice in democracy is political one and that as a way of life.