max 123 democracy essay - Alana Holly Max 123 Matthew Smith John F Kennedy once said"Democracy is a difficult kind of government It requires the highest

Alana Holly Max 123 Matthew Smith John F. Kennedy once said, “Democracy is a difficult kind of government. It requires the highest qualities of self discipline, restraint, a willingness to make commitments and sacrifices for the general interest, and it also requires knowledge” (Mueller, p. 990). Kennedy’s opinion is just one specific view point on what makes up a good democracy; however there are many different traits that help make a democracy successful. Democracy is an established forum of government that is not just restricted to the United States, but is in fact prevalent in all different parts of the globe. Two vital aspects of democracy are active citizens and a conscious regard of the public good. Having active citizens is important in a democracy for a plethora of reasons. Active citizens make democracy possible. People need to be involved in their government by participating in elections and petitioning the government when they don’t agree with it. John Mueller says, “Elections…probably make the enterprise more efficient because elections help furnish a specific, clearly visible and direct method for replacing office holders” (Mueller, p. 985). By holding elections it helps prevent government officials from gaining too much power and gives people more of a say in what’s going on in the government. Ralph Ketcham says, “The more public spirited model of citizenship required going far