ipl-logo

Why Democracy Matters John Stewart Speech Analysis

958 Words4 Pages

The ideology of an idyllic society based on equality as well as democratic principles has long been synonymous with a righteous government. But the consequences of this aspiration for a utopian society has begun to show in countries where democracy as a political system has been implemented in the immediate wake of wars and instability. In the speech “Why Democracy Matters”, which was held in the historic Banqueting House, Whitehall, in London on the 22nd of June 2012, the British member of parliament Rory Stewart sounds a call to rebuild the frail democracy of today which is threatened by mistrust and corruption. This essay will analyse Stewart’s speech with a particular focus on how Stewart argues for his views and the intention of the speech …show more content…

It is through examples like these that it is possible for Stewart to show the audience the importance of democracy – not for its benefits, but as an ideal. To get this intention across to the audience, Stewart focuses on how the concept of democracy still is being challenged and misinterpreted by various institutions of power while he explains the elements necessary for a democracy to function optimally as well. To explain the ways that democracy is challenged and misinterpreted today, Stewart uses the country of Jamaica as an example. In his given example, Stewart explains how the power balance in Jamaica is off as the people in power, such as congressmen, is highly educated graduating from universities such as Harvard and Princeton, while much of the general public lives in poverty with restricted access to power through education. Stewart furthermore explains how the concept of democracy is misinterpreted through mistrust. Today, in countless countries, the amount of mistrust among the public towards government is at an all-time high which is one of the biggest threats towards a flourishing democracy. It is thus profoundly necessary to rebuild the trust between the public and the politicians for the democracy in place to become vibrant and vigorous once again. This argument is supported by Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Dred Scott's Speech: The House Divided

    169 Words  | 1 Pages

    It was June 16 in 1858, at the Illinois Republican convention in Springfield. Lincoln just started off his bid for the U.S. Senate with a big speech. That speech is called the "House Divided" speech. He believed that the recent Supreme Court decision on Dred Scott was a big part of the Democratic. That was lead legalized slavery in all states The court 's decision was that Dred Scott had to live in a free state and remain as a slave.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Fredrick Douglas's Speech

    146 Words  | 1 Pages

    In this speech given by Fredrick Douglas, a man fighting for racial equality, Fredrick Douglas uses a precise tone which can only be described as accusatory. He expresses this feeling several times the most prominent of which is "a thin veil covering crimes which would disgrace a nation" (68). This shows that he accuses America for the slavery the slaves are dealt with and claims it is shameful for a country which is supposedly the "country of freedom" to restrict people who have done no wrongs from their freedom. He also accuses them by saying that the boast of celebration they speak is just a thin blanket barely protecting them from being exposed to the cold world around them, so that nobody knows their horrendous secret. One should be able

    Read More

  • Patrick Henry's Speech Summary: The Nation Of American Democracy

    972 Words  | 4 Pages

    American Democracy The nation of America was started by founders that had deist beliefs and who believed that all men are created equal and should have equal rights. The founding fathers all thought that all humans are perfect but make mistakes; this is the deist belief. They took ideas from the puritans who thought that all men are evil and we must try to be perfect. American democracy was created by founders with deist principles.

    Read More

  • Chapter Summary: The American Democracy Now

    764 Words  | 4 Pages

    The American Democracy Now textbook explains about the different 9 chapters, such as The Constitution, Federalism, Civil Liberties, Public Opinion, Interest Groups, Political, and etc. Within each of the 9 chapters it describes a brief history of America and how it help mold and shaped the way we live, and the way we think from a different perspective of a person opinion. Throughout the years, technology has influenced different ways people and government communicates and organizes their political campaigns such as television, computers, cell phones, and news services. Technology has challenged people to give them opportunities to respond to make a deep impact in the future of the nation.

    Read More

  • Senator Nunn Analysis

    1911 Words  | 8 Pages

    On the local level, people are very free to express themselves. Mr. Williams’ current firm does not handle the corrupted system in DeKalb country, but they are aware of the corruption. Mr. Williams feels like the mentality and civil culture that sustains a democracy has dissipated. He believes that we no longer have the same mindset as the founding fathers had, so he does not think that we are capable of sustaining a democracy. He is deeply suspicious of people who want to run for public office.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Rod Sterling's A Most Non-Political Speech

    1555 Words  | 7 Pages

    Megan Nash Professor Scheirer 2/20/23 Rhetorical Analysis Draft Rod Sterling declares his speech, “A Most Non-Political Speech” at the 1964 “Religious Witness for Human Dignity” Conference. Positioned during a tense period for race relations as the Civil Rights Act was being argued in the U.S. Senate. He discusses race as a basic human right and desires for hope in the fight to equality. Sterling makes the controversial topic of race non-controversial by employing techniques like using an elusive writing style, begging rhetorical questions and the use of repetition.

    Read More

  • Essay On The American Revolution

    544 Words  | 3 Pages

    Problems in America only grew worse when democracy was being added to the mixture of already complicated politics. In Woody Holton’s book, Unruly American and the Origins of the Constitution, he stated that, “many Americans. . . were growing ‘tired of an excess of democracy,’ a ‘prevailing rage of excessive democracy. . .’ [or] ‘democratical tyranny.’” Democracy was an attempt at home rule among the colonies, but not everyone was happy with this extreme excess of colonial citizens contribution to the government.

    Read More

  • Democracy In America Summary

    1448 Words  | 6 Pages

    In 1831 French sociologist and political theorist Alexis De Tocqueville and a lawyer he befriended named Gustave de Beaumont, spent nine months traveling around America studying its prisons and came back with a full report on the cultural, political and psychological life in America. While Beaumont wrote about the penitentiary system, Tocqueville focused more in the cultural and political life in America. He wrote two essays and published them in a book called Democracy in America. He discussed the possible threats to democracy and the possible dangers of democracy. He believed that religion and equality were the greatest ideas and they were the most advanced in the United States and that's why democracy worked so well in America.

    Read More

  • America Is Not A Democracy Essay

    581 Words  | 3 Pages

    The United States of America is not truly a democracy. America’s government is all over the place and pretty much a mixture of everything, it never has been just democracy. The characteristics of a democracy are where the majority wins but that never really happens. For example the president election majority does not elect the president. The United States of America is not a democracy for many reasons; Rule by law, we are more a republic than a democracy, and the founders of a nation didn 't want a democracy.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Democracy In America

    1337 Words  | 6 Pages

    Furthermore, taking the work as a whole, one finds that main problems of a democracy are the following: a disproportionately high portion of power in the legislative branch, an abuse of or lack of love for freedom, an excessive drive for equality, individualism, and materialism. The elements that Tocqueville believes can most successfully combat these dangerous democratic tendencies are: an independent and influential judiciary, a strong executive branch, local self-government, administrative de-centralization, religion, well-educated women, freedom of association, and freedom of the press. Tocqueville directly applies this newfound thesis to American democracy and explains how this situation can affect the United States. He references this thesis in talking about the pros and cons to American democracy, specifically the dangers and benefits of the

    Read More

  • Lyndon B Johnson Political Courage

    892 Words  | 4 Pages

    “The true democracy, living growing and inspiring, puts its faith in the people - faith that the people will not simply elect men who will represent their views ably and faithfully, but will also elect men who will exercise their conscientious judgement - faith that the people will not condemn those whose devotion to principle leads them to unpopular courses, but will reward courage, respect honor, and ultimately recognize right”(Kennedy). As It is

    Read More

  • What Is Isolation Bad For Democracy

    271 Words  | 2 Pages

    Living in a democratic country is a privilege considering, we are not controlled by one, rather the members of a state have a say. Without unity, democracy may be at risk because citizens may opt out of democratic engagement. “Isolation Bad for Democracy” written by Tom Sandborn, covers topics on how this dilemma has various solutions. During these modern times, our economy is constantly fluctuating causing people to move, following their work.

    Read More

  • The Principles Of Democracy And Republicanism Essay

    517 Words  | 3 Pages

    Established on September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed rights for its citizens. The Constitution also represents the value and principles of democracy and republicanism that the United States of American stands by. This means that the Constitution regards to the American citizen as something that is held to deserve meaning the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. It also means its citizens come first in order of importance. The Constitution represents the value and principles of democracy and republicanism by stressing liberty and inalienable rights as central values, making the people as a whole sovereign, rejecting inherited political power, expecting citizens to be independent in their performance of civic duties, and vilifies corruption.

    Read More

  • Essay On Political Trust

    1253 Words  | 6 Pages

    Many scholars studied political trust but still the debate remains that what actually being measured. Many controversies surrounding this concept and most prominent are; it is a measure of diffuse support for the political system (Miller 1974), specific support for the incumbents (Citrin 1974), or is the measurement of, How people are satisfied with the performance of incumbents (Citrin and Green 1986)? Trust in authorities(specific support) and trust in regime(diffuse support) are the two types of support first discovered by David Easton(1965,1975) and specific support means support for the officials and diffuse support means support for the form and structure of the government. Following the definition of Easton Us National Election study

    Read More

  • Definition Essay On Democracy

    1127 Words  | 5 Pages

    “Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy,” said Benito Mussolini. By the time one enters the third grade they become aware of concept of democracy. Specifically in America, one is taught that they live in a democratic society. When asking what is democracy, the answer is never truly defiente. The answers given may be; a society where everyone votes, or by dictionary definition “a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of the state; typically through elected representation.”

    Read More

More about Why Democracy Matters John Stewart Speech Analysis

Open Document