"Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty."

            In a modern democratic society, citizens have many more rights and responsibilities than in other systems; citizens are given more freedom, and thus must be accountable for more responsibilities as contributing citizens. Most citizens accept their rights, but many do not follow their responsibilities. Ideal citizens carry out their responsibilities as they practice their multiple rights and freedoms.

            In regards to respect for law and order, citizens have legal rights that protect them from unreasonable search or seizure and arbitrary detainment or imprisonment. In return, citizens have the responsibility to understand and obey the laws of the nation. For example, a citizen must respect the law; however, if a citizen breaks the law, they can only be arrested under reasonable warrant.

            In a democracy, dissent is accepted. Citizens have freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly, and are permitted to vocalize their opinions through petitions, lobbying, protests, rallies, and attaining media attention.  On the other hand, these citizens also have the responsibility to ensure their assembly is peaceful, and that they are expressing opinions freely while respecting the rights and freedoms of others. For instance, if a collective was in opposition to a new piece of government legislation, they have the right to protest and lobby against it. However, they must do this in a peaceful manner.

            Civility is encouraged in democratic systems; all citizens have a responsibility to not infringe upon others’ fundamental freedoms and rights such as equality rights. Although citizens have the right to freedom of speech in democracies, the responsibility to eliminate discrimination and injustice also exists.

            Political participation is a major element of democracy that sets it apart from other systems of the world. Democracies pride themselves in being a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Citizens have the valuable right to vote, either directly or for representatives. In accordance with this right, it is an extremely important responsibility to practice these suffrage rights. Many citizens take suffrage as a right, but it is also a responsibility to input one’s opinions into the system.

            Regarding citizen advocacy, people of a democratic nation have equality rights that state everyone receives the same treatment. It is the citizen himself’s responsibility to ensure that these rights are respected, as well as other citizens’ responsibility to respect these rights. Citizen advocacy supports those who are ‘devalued’ and stands up for the rights and interests of those people. It is the citizens’ responsibilities to stand up for others that cannot stand up for their own rights. Acting as a supportive unit and protecting disadvantaged citizens is a responsibility all citizens carry, though many do not adhere to it.

            Rights and responsibilities characterize a democracy, and these elements should be respected and practiced diligently.

“The highest measure of democracy is neither the “extent of freedom” nor the “extent of equality”, but rather the highest measure of participation.”—Alain de Benoist

“The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.”—Charles de Montesquieu