The term democracy became popular across the globe in the 20th century, especially after the two world wars and cold war when many countries were determined to be democratic. The wars led to a significant shift in the political systems in many countries, as many nations embraced democracy while they respected human rights and freedom. Even though the US is regarded as one of the most democratic countries in the world, some people argue that the country is yet to embrace and practice all principles of democracy fully. Democracy is mainly based on self-determination and political equality, which, to some extent, still lack in the USA. The country is still characterized by some elements of the violation of civil rights, including racial inequality. There is still a disparity between black and white people in the USA, especially in sectors such as education, health, and housing ( Scheve & Stasavage, 2017) . Thus, democracy in the US is yet to be fully operational, and there is a need for its advancement to benefit all Americans regardless of their socio-economic and political status or backgrounds. Respecting civil rights and embracing racial equality are some of the factors that have the greatest impact in advancing democracy in the USA.
Impact of Civil Rights on Democracy
The relationship between civil rights and democracy is one of the classical concepts that have been discussed and researched political and legal experts for many years. Both political and human right theories have been used to explore the relationship between the two concepts, civil rights, and democracy. A country cannot be deemed to be democratic if it does not respect the civil rights of its citizens ( van Ham & Chappell, 2017) . Civil rights violation is not likely to be experienced in democratic countries, especially when compared to undemocratic nations. Thus, van Ham and Chappell (2017) argue that there is a direct relationship between civil rights and democracy. While democracy mainly refers to collective decision-making by the citizens of a given country, civil rights are mostly viewed as the possible outcomes of the decisions that are made by people directly or through their representatives. The USA, therefore, can only be democratic if it respects the civil rights of all its citizens.
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Civil rights impact the advancement of democracy in some ways. Civil rights have the greatest impact on democracy because they affect the determinants of the quality and wellbeing of any human being such as education, housing, employment, and justice, including health (Hahn et al., 2018). Hahn et al. (2018) also argue that civil rights can be used to achieve racial equity, which is essential in any democratic country. The violation of civil rights of black people was common in the USA until the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 that improved racial equality significantly while reducing the violation of human rights. The democratic space and environment in the USA improved when Congress passed the Civil Rights Act after the Civil Rights Movements that was mainly led by black people (Martin & Varner, 2017). Democracy can only be enhanced in the USA when the civil rights of both black and white people, including those of other racial minority groups are guaranteed and protected.
The available evidence shows that civil rights have the greatest impact in advancing democracy, particularly in racially diverse countries like the USA. Civil rights enhance democracy by ensuring that every citizen can access quality education. Findings of a study that was done by Glaeser, Ponzetto and Shleifer (2007) revealed that high education results in a more democratic society because it improved civic engagement while at the same time it improved the quality of political participation. Education advance democracy because it helps in promoting accountability and transparency in governance. However, quality education for all people can only be achieved when civil rights exist and respected by the rulers and the ruled.
Also, at the beginning of the 20 th century, before the enactment of the Civil Rights Act, black people could hardly access quality education because of lack of resources (Hahn et al ., 2018). As a result, the USA was viewed as undemocratic states because hindered the ability of black people to actively participate in political activities due to the high levels of illiteracy. Currently, with the reduced educational disparity between black and whites in the country, America is highly democratic, which could be seen by the election of President Obama in 2008. The election of the first ever black president in 2008 made the world to view the US as a mature democracy that can be envied by other countries (Newkirk, 2016). The election of Obama could not have been possible if the US had not passed the Civil Rights Act that allowed both black and white people to equality participate in political processes and activities.
Protecting civil rights leads to economic empowerment, which is essential in achieving a democratic space or country. Poverty makes people be politically inactive while at the same time it reduces the ability of people to demand their democratic rights. For instance, 94% of Americans who are financially secure are likely to register and vote (Jana, 2015). On the contrary, only 54% are motivated to register and vote (Jana, 2015). Poverty in the US is mainly associated with the violation of civil rights, especially in the employment sector. Previous, many non-white Americans were not able to easily secure employment in many sectors in the country. However, with the passage of the Equal Employment Act in 1972, employment discrimination has reduced significantly (Hahn et al ., 2018). All Americans now have almost equal opportunity to get employed and live a decent life. The Act illustrates that civil right laws can be used to the improved economic status of the people, resulting in democracy. Civil rights, therefore, has the greatest impact on advancing democracy in the USA.
Impact of Racial Equality on Democracy
Racial inequality is one of the phenomena that hinder democracy in the US because it leads to the social, economic, and political disparity that can result in bad governance. Although the country is making some process in addressing racial inequality, the disparity between blacks and whites in the economic and social sectors is still high and alarming. According to the recent analysis by the Pew Research Center, the economic inequality between black and white people remained the same between 1967 and 2015 (Kraus, Rucker & Richeson, 2017). However, inequality is perceived to be one of the major threats to democracy. Based on the democratic theory, ideal democracy can only be achieved when people have equal socio-economic status or standing in the society. Thus racial equality can help in advancing democracy in the US substantially.
Racial equality is associated with a country’s relative state of peace, safety, and security, including interpersonal conflict. A country can only be democratic when it enjoys a high level of peace and security (Scheve & Stasavage, 2017). Racial equality means that people are willing and ready to respect the rights and freedom of others. Besides, racial equality brings people together to fight any undemocratic laws and practices that may prevent the achievement of ideal democracy. Racial equality leads to economic equity, which ensures effective redistribution of resources between the rich and the poor (Scheve & Stasavage, 2017). A democratic should ensure that the tax burden is fairly distributed across racial groups.
Also, racial equality promotes democracy by ensuring that people from minority and major racial groups have equal opportunity to be elected in various political positions. Before the mid-1960s, it was not possible for black people to be elected in various political positions because of racial inequality and this hindered the advancement of democracy (Hahn et al ., 2018). However, with the increased racial equality, the number of elected black leaders has surged for the last two decades. Racial equality gives all people across the racial divide to actively participate in a political process.
Conclusion
The US is a mature democracy, especially because of the high level of civil rights and liberties that are enjoyed by its citizens. The country’s leadership is determined to achieve racial equality while safeguarding the civil rights of every citizen. Nevertheless, democracy in the US is yet to reach the ideal state. To advance democracy in the country, the government should ensure that no civil right of citizens is violated. At the same, improved racial equality can be used to enhance democracy in the USA. Still, individuals have a responsibility to ensure that the country’s democratic system is effective. Importantly, individuals should make sure that they embrace diversity while holding government accountable for its plans and actions, particularly those that relate to human rights and equality. Individuals, organizations, and the government must work towards ensuring that the democratic system in the USA is functioning effectively and adequately.
References
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Hahn, R. A., Truman, B. I., & Williams, D. R. (2018). Civil rights as determinants of public health and racial and ethnic health equity: Health care, education, employment, and housing in the United States. SSM-population health , 4 , 17-24.
Jana, K. (2015, January 9). Poor Americans are less likely to vote and more likely to distrust government, study shows. The Guardian . Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2015/jan/09/poor-americans-are-less-likely-to-vote-and-more-likely-to-distrust-government-study-shows
Kraus, M. W., Rucker, J. M., & Richeson, J. A. (2017). Americans misperceive racial, economic equality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 114 (39), 10324-10331.
Martin, L. L., & Varner, K. J. (2017). Race, residential segregation, and the death of democracy: Education and myth of post-racialism. Democracy and Education , 25 (1), 4-12.
Newkirk, P. (2016, February 5). How American democracy sustains racial inequality. The Washington Post . Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how- American-democracy-sustains-racial-inequality/2016/02/04/7e829f68-b25d-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html?utm_term=.5768de4680be
Scheve, K., & Stasavage, D. (2017). Wealth inequality and democracy. Annual Review of Political Science , 20 , 451-468.
Van Ham, C., & Chappell, L. (2017). Democracy and human rights: A tripartite conceptual framework. Australian Journal of Human Rights , 23 (2), 143-167.
