Why political equality is fundamental in a democratic regime

When we think about the concept of equality, we must keep two things in mind. The first concerns human nature itself, as human beings are not equal, each having their own physical and mental constitution. Secondly, this physical or natural inequality should not be used to justify any kind of inequality, whether economic, political, or social. In fact, it is very important not to forget that the concept of equality has evolved and has been the product of the historical transition from traditional to modern societies. 

In traditional societies, the environment and human interaction were justified and explained based on natural phenomena and factors related to nature or natural law, which led to justifying existing inequalities. In contrast, modern societies have shifted towards the importance of governing human behavior under an approach that rejects relationships of subordination. 

This is because the concept of equality in modern societies is based on the premise that human beings are social beings. The implication is that their relationships and interactions should be governed by the principle of equality in different areas, such as politics. Therefore, despite natural human diversity, it is considered a social necessity to have a normative equality that starts from the premise that all human beings must be treated equally (Kymlicka, 2002; Waldron, 2009). This approach facilitates the survival and coexistence of any society. 

Equality in democracy

Why is equality important in the political realm? A preliminary answer would be that equality should be one of the first premises of a democratic regime, as it is essential that every citizen is considered in public management and the network of institutions created for the proper functioning of that political regime. In this sense, the principle of political equality is a necessary condition for the proper functioning of a democratic society, as it allows any citizen to be respected and heard in political life (Dworkin, 1977; Anderson, 1999; Rawls, 1985; Steinhoff, 2015). 

We are going through a global situation of democratic recession affecting the principle of political equality

In fact, the citizen must have the instruments and resources that allow them to influence the decision-making process so that the political life of any society is governed by this principle. This does not mean that it is directly the citizen who makes the decisions, as it is the state bodies, such as parliaments, that will do so. However, it does imply that all citizens can have the same opportunities to contribute to the decision-making process being democratic, as they will be considered. In this way, decisions made in the political realm will have social legitimacy. 

However, the latest global democracy report prepared by International IDEA (2023), exposes a situation of democratic recession affecting the application of this principle and, consequently, the consolidation of democracy worldwide. According to the report, in 2023, there were declines in political representation and the rule of law, as well as a stagnation in the exercise of freedom of expression and association, which negatively affects the application of the principle of political equality. In fact, this situation is creating unequal treatment and difficulties for all citizens to exercise their freedoms in the political realm. 

This is why it is highly relevant for citizens to contribute to the creation of an institutional framework that respects the principle of political equality along with a legal framework that promotes and defends it. From an individual perspective, every citizen has the right to be respected and heard, but it is also important to protect this framework from a collective point of view. All citizens must exercise these rights and, at the same time, assume their responsibility to ensure them. In fact, the legal framework must be supported by the will of civil society to protect the citizenry as a whole and prevent abuses of power by the state, guaranteeing the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals. Therefore, the International IDEA (2023) report highlights the role that countervailing institutions can play in preventing the erosion of democratic institutions and the legal order that supports them. Precisely, checks and balances institutions emerge as an institutional framework generated by civil society "to ensure that democracy remains of and by the people" (p. 8). 

As shown by the following graph, in the last five years there has been a widespread decline in credible elections and effective parliaments. According to the report, electoral processes have been marked by unequal conditions, the exclusion of marginalized groups, the weakening of electoral bodies, and irregularities in voting and vote counting. In the case of parliaments, the international institute notes that they show weakness in containing the excesses of executive power and, more importantly, are unable to stop actions that contribute to the dismantling of democratic systems. This situation explains why it has been necessary to constitute organizations, institutions, and popular movements by civil society (Gordon, 1999; Bulmer, 2021). The intention is clear: to protect the equal access to political decision-making. 

The same applies to rights, which are a factor that allows measuring whether a system is fair in its respect for social freedoms and political, social, or gender equality. According to the following graph, there is a widespread degradation in respect for human rights due to coups d'état or even the collapse of some states. Similarly, civil liberties have deteriorated, with the notable example of the restrictions faced by the media in different parts of the world. 

Revitalizing democracy

The above leads us to ask, how can we overcome the difficulties of applying the principle of political equality to strengthen democracy in the world? To answer this, we must consider, as Robert Dahl (2006) points out, the importance of distributing resources that allow citizens to influence political decisions equally. It is not just about the right to vote and be voted for, but any resource that allows citizens to influence the political realm equally, including money, information, or knowledge. If access to these resources is protected, it prevents a small group of people from having more influence and, consequently, from imposing their interests on political decision-making. 

Influencing political decision-making is not only a right but a duty that must be exercised to protect and consolidate democracies

As Dahl (2006) points out, political leaders might be capable of violating this right, as they possess more resources to achieve their own political ends. Again, the role of countervailing institutions can be useful, as noted by International IDEA (2023), to prevent the concentration of resources and influence. Even more, the state must facilitate and guarantee citizens these resources and the necessary infrastructure to have more direct participation in political life. 

We must not forget that through political participation, equality can create a sense of community among citizens, to the extent that everyone participates together with the state because they share the same political objectives. In fact, the political participation of all citizens in electoral processes and lawmaking contributes to giving political and social legitimacy to these processes, which benefits a democratic regime. Even more, political participation acquires significant relevance in terms of the application of the principle of political equality, as it is the means through which citizens learn about politics, the importance of democracy, but also the relevance of clearly defining their political needs and preferences (Verba, 2001). 

But the equal distribution of resources among citizens and their political participation alone are not enough for the principle of political equality to become a reality. It is essential to consider the context and knowledge. The relevance of the context lies in the need for an institutional environment that facilitates and encourages citizens to participate politically in decision-making and, consequently, consolidates the formation of a solid democracy. In the case of knowledge, it is important to acquire it over time, as it facilitates understanding of which alternative policies are feasible and what their consequences might be (Dahl, 2006). The active political participation of all citizens could perfect this collective knowledge over time. 

It is fundamental for civil society to be a relevant actor in the defense and application of the principle of political equality to reverse the setback that democracy is experiencing worldwide. It is not only the right of citizens to influence political decision-making but a duty that must be exercised to protect and consolidate democratic regimes in every corner of the planet.