Democracy in Our Deliberations By Adrian Stratton, PRP
Democracy begins, is maintained, and ends with the members of an assembly. The ideas and opinions that members express truly add to the unique nature of each session. Often, individual interpretations skew perceived rights within a membership, and disagreements that result test the capacity of democracy as business is conducted. Do we wish for order enabled by regulation, or the freedom democracy seeks to protect in our deliberations? These two seemingly conflicting ideas must work together if either is to be useful for members engaged in parliamentary law. Regulation in support of fairness constrains and defines boundaries. A strength of democracy is that a majority determines how tight governing constraints should be. The freedom for an assembly to decide for itself is critical to self-government. Regulation limits freedoms, but without rules, the environment through which democracy can thrive is diminished. In extreme circumstances, overly regulated assemblies can render democratic principles ineffective or useless. Freedom, in contrast to regulation, is action without restraint. However, a total absence of constraint by members in deliberations would surely lead to chaos. Members have individual and collective privileges within the context of an assembly. For example, the full and free discussion of motions, and limits
on the number of times one may speak in debate, creates both privileges and protections in assemblies who adopt the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised as their parliamentary authority.1 To be enjoyed, the privileges and freedoms democracy protects must be defined. Democracy exists somewhere in the middle of restriction and a total lack thereof. Adopting rules to protect freedom is a necessary democratic task. The balance between regulation and freedom is particular to each assembly and occasion. Fairness to all contributes greatly to favorable perceptions of justice in democratic assemblies. Important democratic concepts to consider in fairness to all members are the right to be heard, majority rule, and the collective ability to change. Participation in debate provides an opportunity for all members to be heard. Democracy is centered on full and open participation.2 In democratic assemblies any member may seek recognition and offer proposals or thoughts on a matter. Even the unpopular, or uncomfortable opinion can be shared. To consider opposition is necessary for democracy to work. Full participation empowers an assembly, with the members determining what is to be discussed and for how long. The will of members is expressed by majority rule. One of the greatest protections in procedure is that it is the
1 Henry M. Robert III, et al., Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition (New York: Public Affairs, 2020), pgs. 1 and 38–39. 2 Hugh Cannon, Cannon’s Concise Guide to Rules of Order (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995), p. 49. 22
National Parliamentarian • Summer 2021
