Is democracy a human right?

[PLESSUR]

Self explanatory.

Firstly, I would just like to point out that NS indicates no - the separation of civil rights and political freedoms plus the potential of a 'benevolent dictatorship' indicate so. I am not sure myself of the answer - after all, for most of our history mankind has not had democracy. It's kind of a new trend in some ways.

is this good enough for you, mods?

[Kar-Esseria]

No, people have a right to decide their own government, be it democratic or not.

[PLESSUR]

No, people have a right to decide their own government, be it democratic or not.

Um, if it's not democratic then they can't decide, no? Also, is it a human right to be able to renounce one's rights?

[The Snazzylands]

No, but democracies are more likely to protect human rights compared to other systems of governance.

[Baiynistan]

No, people have a right to decide their own government, be it democratic or not.

I'd say that's a fairly good way to put it. But, if people choose to adopt (through democratic means) a system of governance that is non-democratic (monarchy, fascist etc), I'd say that there needs to be an apparatus in place which allows a society to revisit the issue later, should people decide that they no longer think that system works, which would mean that the system would still be democratic at its core.

I think the US sums it up quite poignantly in saying that all humans should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I think that democracy in some form is essential in enabling that.

[Yedmnrutika Gavr]

demackracy is da deville bobbe bouchee!!

[Eol Sha]

Self explanatory.

Firstly, I would just like to point out that NS indicates no - the separation of civil rights and political freedoms plus the potential of a 'benevolent dictatorship' indicate so. I am not sure myself of the answer - after all, for most of our history mankind has not had democracy. It's kind of a new trend in some ways.

is this good enough for you, mods?

Yes, I do think so. The people have the right to decide for themselves what path their nation is to go down.

[PLESSUR]

So, people here seem to be saying that democracy is not an intrinsic human right, but a protection for human rights. Like a second-degree human right of sorts.

[Weltschmerzen]

No, people have a right to decide their own government, be it democratic or not.

Um, if it's not democratic then they can't decide, no? Also, is it a human right to be able to renounce one's rights?

People still can overthrow a government and establish a more authoritarian regime, hell, people can even vote an authoritarian person into office.

Hitler for example.

And Godwin has been proven right once again

[The Heart of Hypatia]

So, people here seem to be saying that democracy is not an intrinsic human right, but a protection for human rights. Like a second-degree human right of sorts.

I don't believe in what you might call natural rights, I believe that rights are concepts that are generally accepted through consensus. This is not to say they are anything less than absolutely, crucially important but it's an important distinction between what you seem to be saying and what other people seem to be saying.

That said, even the European Convention on Human Rights does not actually list democracy as a protected right that people have. I haven't checked other international agreements. Personally I feel that democracy is important enough to consider making a right in said agreements, but that's just my personal opinion and I know many edgy people on NSG hold democracy in low regard.

[Eol Sha]

So, people here seem to be saying that democracy is not an intrinsic human right, but a protection for human rights. Like a second-degree human right of sorts.

Not me. For me, democracy is a right that should be available to all people.

[PLESSUR]

So, people here seem to be saying that democracy is not an intrinsic human right, but a protection for human rights. Like a second-degree human right of sorts.

I don't believe in what you might call natural rights, I believe that rights are concepts that are generally accepted through consensus. This is not to say they are anything less than absolutely, crucially important but it's an important distinction between what you seem to be saying and what other people seem to be saying.

That said, even the European Convention on Human Rights does not actually list democracy as a protected right that people have. I haven't checked other international agreements. Personally I feel that democracy is important enough to consider making a right in said agreements, but that's just my personal opinion and I know many edgy people on NSG hold democracy in low regard.

This sounds quite interesting actually. So, if I may extend, democracy may not be a human right now but it might be in the future? Most of the world doesn't live in a democracy, or at least not a proper one.

[The Snazzylands]

I don't believe in what you might call natural rights, I believe that rights are concepts that are generally accepted through consensus. This is not to say they are anything less than absolutely, crucially important but it's an important distinction between what you seem to be saying and what other people seem to be saying.

That said, even the European Convention on Human Rights does not actually list democracy as a protected right that people have. I haven't checked other international agreements. Personally I feel that democracy is important enough to consider making a right in said agreements, but that's just my personal opinion and I know many edgy people on NSG hold democracy in low regard.

This sounds quite interesting actually. So, if I may extend, democracy may not be a human right now but it might be in the future? Most of the world doesn't live in a democracy, or at least not a proper one.

If "proper" democracies catch on in most parts of the world, it would be considered a human right.

[Deuxtete]

Yes, anything is a right so long as the guys with guns protecting you allow you the privilege to think so...and that is how "Rights" actually work.

[PLESSUR]

On the other hand, saying that human rights are temporary does not do them any favours. The world can't really work on the basis of 'they are only human rights if they exist all over'. So what are human rights? Is it really all comparative (please don't just say yes ) ?

[Weltschmerzen]

On the other hand, saying that human rights are temporary does not do them any favours. The world can't really work on the basis of 'they are only human rights if they exist all over'. So what are human rights? Is it really all comparative (please don't just say yes ) ?

In essence, human rights are some morals taken out from a philosophical-moral denomination and put in a declaration.

[Ifreann]

Yes, anything is a right so long as the guys with guns protecting you allow you the privilege to think so...and that is how "Rights" actually work.

I don't have any guys with guns protecting me. Do I not have rights?

[Dooom35796821595]

Yes, anything is a right so long as the guys with guns protecting you allow you the privilege to think so...and that is how "Rights" actually work.

I don't have any guys with guns protecting me. Do I not have rights?

Your country has an army, no?

As for the OP no, democracy is not a right. Considering all the different forms of democracy, and the fact that it will eventually be replaced by something better it's not a right, it's just temporary.

[England-Wales-France]

Yes,Dictatorship has time and Time again proven a Faliure,while Democracy Prospers.
All ten of the Richest Countries(By GDP) are Democracies/Republics.

[PLESSUR]

Yes,Dictatorship has time and Time again proven a Faliure,while Democracy Prospers.
All ten of the Richest Countries(By GDP) are Democracies/Republics.

Ahem, "Democracies/Republics"??? As a (slightly) patriotic Brit, I don't find this very true.

[PLESSUR]

I don't have any guys with guns protecting me. Do I not have rights?

Your country has an army, no?

As for the OP no, democracy is not a right. Considering all the different forms of democracy, and the fact that it will eventually be replaced by something better it's not a right, it's just temporary.

Better than democracy? Mind reading??

[Ifreann]

I don't have any guys with guns protecting me. Do I not have rights?

Your country has an army, no?

As for the OP no, democracy is not a right. Considering all the different forms of democracy, and the fact that it will eventually be replaced by something better it's not a right, it's just temporary.

It does, but they're not protecting me from anything.

[Farnhamia]

Your country has an army, no?

As for the OP no, democracy is not a right. Considering all the different forms of democracy, and the fact that it will eventually be replaced by something better it's not a right, it's just temporary.

It does, but they're not protecting me from anything.

What if the English come back? They could, you know. I believe there are ferries every day.

[Genivaria]

Yes, everyone should be able to choose theirown government.

[PLESSUR]

One serious problem with calling democracy a human right is that democracy is a right of the masses - majority, in some form or another, rules in a democracy. If a majority of people wanted torture permitted, it still wouldn't happen but a majority of people can change a government in democracy.