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Democracy for the people by the people
Democracy for the people by the people
Exploring the Evolution of Power and Freedom in Modern Democracy
The famous observation by Lord Acton, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” has echoed through the corridors of history and remains deeply relevant in our modern democratic societies. As Western democracy evolved into what we now consider “modern democracy,” a new community emerged, often characterized by a sense of superiority and an unyielding belief in unrestricted freedom. This group, enamored with the idea of absolute and unquestionable liberty, began advocating for a form of civility achieved through total, unregulated freedom.
The allure of such boundless freedom was, at first, incredibly compelling. It rapidly gained traction, eventually crystallizing into what we now refer to as the “mass majority.” This development posed a considerable challenge, even in democracy’s ancestral home, where the balance between freedom and power was always carefully scrutinized.
The rise of this mass majority signified a shift in the democratic process, raising concerns about the unchecked power of popular opinion. While democracy thrives on the principle of representing the people’s will, history has shown that when this will become absolute and unchecked, it can lead to new forms of tyranny. Thus, the quest for balance and accountability within the democratic framework continues, reminding us of the ever-relevant warnings of thinkers like Lord Acton.
