equality in democracy essay

1. Democracy Defined. The term “democracy”, as we will use it in this entry, refers very generally to a method of collective decision making characterized by a kind of equality among the participants at an essential stage of the decision-making process. Four aspects of this definition should be noted.

The basic problem lies in the tension between inequalities in wealth and the egalitarian ideals underlying democracy. Inequalities in wealth are, to some extent at least, accepted as a part of the economic system, while equality is a defining feature in a democracy. That latter principle is compromised whenever people can convert wealth into ...

Equality stands in relation to justice as does a part to a whole. The requirement of justification is based on moral equality, and in certain contexts, successful justification leads to the above-named principles of equality, i.e., formal, proportional equality and the presumption of equality.