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Democracy as a Universal Value

Amartya Sen posits that democracy is a universal value intrinsic to human dignity and freedom. He explores its fundamental importance in life, highlighting the rights to choose and express oneself, which fosters political incentives and cultivates values like tolerance, liberty, and equality. While some argue that cultural perspectives, particularly in Asia and Islam, favor discipline over freedom, Sen counters with historical examples of political freedom and tolerance within these cultures, emphasizing their diverse influences. Thus, he defends democracy as compatible with a variety of cultural beliefs.

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Democracy as a Universal Value

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  1. Democracy as a Universal Value By Amartya Sen

  2. Main Points • The value of democracy • A Universal Value • Arguments against • Sen’s Defense

  3. The Value of Democracy • values, Sociology. the ideals, customs, institutions, etc., of a society toward which the people of the group have an affective regard. These values may be positive, as cleanliness, freedom, or education, or negative, as cruelty, crime, or blasphemy. • The merits of the Value of Democracy • Democracy has an Intrinsic Importance in human life • The right to choose, speak freely, etc. • Generates political incentives • Helps with the formation of other values • tolerance, liberty, equality, etc.

  4. A Universal Value • Sen argues that democracy is a universal value, in that it has the ability to exist within all cultures. • This is speaking strictly from a cultural standpoint • Democracy is not currently universally applicable in all parts as the world when other factors such as economics are considered.

  5. Arguments against • “Asian Values” • Asian cultures value discipline over freedom • East Asian values are based on the authoritarian writing of Confucius • Islam • Islam intolerant of and hostile to individual freedom

  6. Sen’s Defense • “Asian values” • Historically Asian cultures have valued political freedom, minority protection, and tolerance of pluralism. • The Indian Emperor Ashoka • East Asia • Their values are not homogenous • Their values are based on a variety of influences • Buddhism, and some Christianity

  7. Sen’s Defense • Islam • Throughout history there are many examples of tolerance toward individual freedom • Akbar in India, many Mogul emperors, and many Turkish emperors were “more tolerant than their European counterparts” • Like Asian cultures, Islamic cultures do not hold a set of homogenous beliefs which conflict with democratic values

  8. Sen’s Defense • No culture is based on a set of homogenous beliefs • All cultures are based on a variety of things • This creates a set of heterogeneous beliefs • No culture will have a set of beliefs that categorically conflicts with democracy

  9. Summary • The value of democracy • A Universal Value • Arguments against • Sen’s Defense • Questions?

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