Gandhi said: "To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness."
Evidence of the power of the common person was seen recently in the British elections.
After foregoing on their democratic rights and staying home for the Brexit referendum one year ago, many young people got out and voted, nearly bringing down the Conservative government by voting overwhelmingly for the Labour Party.
What is interesting is that the leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, has a long track record of speaking out for the rights of the disadvantaged, of supporting social and economic policies that benefit common people and of supporting international policies that bring about lasting peace and development. This is what drew young voters, regardless of the massive amounts of spending on advertising by his opponents.
Corbyn has a lot in common with the candidate who could well have become the president of the United States had he gained the support of the powerful leaders of the Democratic Party.
Bernie Sanders initiated programs that benefit ordinary people throughout his political career in state government, and brought that same desire for what is right into the U.S. Senate. Despite lack of corporate support and media coverage, Sanders drew millions into his camp during the recent Democratic leadership campaign.
The rise of Corbyn and Sanders also points to the fact that there has been a shift in the media. While information was once controlled by a few corporate giants, the internet has allowed for the rise of multiple news sources. Past elections may have been won through high-cost advertisements slinging mud at one's opponent, but this has clearly turned off many voters. It is significant to note that numerous successful candidates in recent years, including Sanders and Corbyn, have instead chosen to stand upon what they believe and practice.
The key to democracy is to embrace the spirit of the French philosopher Voltaire, "I wholly disapprove of what you say and will defend to the death your right to say it." When we can meet and debate in this way, we form good laws which move humanity forward in a positive direction. It may sound idealistic, but when this principle is compromised we actually begin to compromise democracy itself.
As a high school teacher I often point out to my students that they will soon be voting, and that they need to choose the candidate that they believe will best serve them. I also express the need to hold representatives accountable once they are elected, regardless of how we ourselves may have voted.
Our politicians are ordinary people. We can contact their offices, talk to them and lobby for what we believe is important. We can join political parties, help decide who the candidates will be in the upcoming election and we can even run for office ourselves.
What Corbyn and Sanders make clear is that there are options to a government dominated by the "power elite," those with money who supposedly control everything. We the voters decide who will represent us and when someone comes along who lives the ideals that we hold dear, we will support them.
The key, however, is for citizens to be informed and involved. If we are not, those who stand to profit from our lack of activity will do so. It is not because they have taken our democratic rights from us, it is because we have handed them over.
We are powerful as individuals and we are even stronger when we stand together. In the end, truth, justice and integrity always win. The only thing that can hinder the progress of humanity is good people choosing to forfeit their rights.
