FREE ESSAY ON DEMOCRATIC VOICES IN A CHANGING SOCIETY

DEMOCRATIC VOICES IN A CHANGING SOCIETY

1. Explain how people in a representative democracy can gain power to effect change.
In a representative democracy, people can gain power to effect change by recognizing that
one person can make a difference. For true change to occur, this one person must develop
support from others for a common cause. For example, MADD was started by one woman in
California who had a daughter that was killed by a drunk driver. Due to the existence of
sympathetic or empathetic mothers, the organization grew, and with their large numbers,
acquired a voice that would change many state laws that relate to drunk driving. The key
to initiating and effecting change in a representative democracy is one's understanding
that he/she can make a difference.
2. Explain the role of media in providing timely information for people in a democracy.
In a democracy, the media provides timely information to the people in order that the
people may make informed decisions on issues that the country, state, or local government
is facing. Because any information or fact regarding one issue, no matter how close to a
voting day, may sway the majority of the votes in one direction, media has realized the
cruciallity of their providing timely information to the people. Additionally, if people
in a democracy were not provided with information as quickly as the government officials,
the people would feel as if they were being ignored by their own government, and would
therefore want to cause a change in the system.