We Need To Take An Active Role In Constitutional Democracy

A constitution is a plan for the government that sets forth the structures and powers of government. In democracies, such as ours, a constitution acts as an authoritative law through which the sovereign people authorize a government to be established and grant it certain powers. Therefore, a constitutional democracy depends on the active participation of citizens because all citizens exercise political power either directly or through their elected representatives. “If we are to be a great democracy we must all take an active role in our democracy. We must do democracy. That goes far beyond simply casting your vote. We must all actively champion the causes that ensure the common good.” This is a quote from Martin Luther King III, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s son. I strongly agree with King, to be a great democracy citizens must take an active role in democracy.

There are many ways citizens can participate in addition to voting, such as: participating in a political discussion, signing a petition, writing letters to elected representatives, contributing money to a party or candidate, attending meetings to gain information, discussing issues, or lend support, campaign for a candidate, lobby for laws that are of special interest, demonstrate through marches, boycotts, sit-ins, or other forms of protest, serve as a juror, run for office, and hold public office.