DEMOCRACY IN THE

UNITED STATES:
A historic balance for progress.

By Ivanna Narea Torres.

January 29, 2025

Since our ancestors, human beings have been fluctuating social beings, molding their
environment according to their values, needs and desires. This ability to adapt has allowed us
to create political, economic and social systems that balance what we wish to achieve and be,
guaranteeing collective well-being. Over generations, rules and ideologies have evolved to
bring order to the chaotic, generating changes that benefit the world. However, these
structures still reflect tensions, contradictions and inequalities inherent in our changing
nature.

In the United States, democracy, economics and law have evolved as attempts to balance
human aspirations, becoming a global benchmark. American democracy was born to balance
the ideal of the common good with the social and economic realities of its time, influenced by
historical events that led to the establishment of a system where power resides with the
people. Initially, only certain privileged sectors, such as white male landowners, had full
access to this system. Even so, it managed to be characterized by its representative
governance and the guarantee of rights and freedoms in the face of English oppression. Over
time, gaps of distinction have narrowed, but power and resources remain concentrated in the
hands of a few, limiting the access of many to a decent life.

To understand this evolution of the concept of democracy, it is key to know the historical
events, ideologies and struggles that shaped the foundations of a country that continues to be
an example of progress and challenges to overcome.

The American Revolution was not a sudden event but the result of an accumulation of
tensions that had been brewing for decades. To learn about this, we must go back to Europe,
in the 17th and 18th centuries during the Enlightenment, also known as the Age of
Enlightenment. This movement began in countries such as France and Germany and sought
to transform the way of human reasoning, questioning society about its foundations, its rights
and the pillars that organized society at that time.

This arose due to absolutism, which hindered the freedoms of European society, deeply
stratified in three great estates: the nobility, the clergy and the people, nicknamed “the
commons”. According to Editorial Etecé (2024), the enlightened thinkers believed that the
use of reason, observation and scientific knowledge would make it possible to overcome the
superstitions and inequalities that sustained these hierarchies. Thus it was recognized mainly
for its reformist impulse that rejected the inherited truths and advocated what would be the
idea and the desire for progress; a critical view towards the traditions of the past and the
existing power structures to find a fairer social model that the oppression of the clergy and
royalty did not allow. This is how revolutionary movements such as the French Revolution,
among many others, gradually followed.
Furthermore, the Enlightenment laid the foundations of American thought that inspired many
to lead to a reorganization of social and political systems. It turns out that during that same
era where the Enlightenment was born, British rule was established over the Thirteen
Colonies in North America consisting of: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. This happened because England
sought to expand its influence and wealth through colonization by establishing settlements
starting with Virginia, Massachusetts among many more of those mentioned.

As the colonies grew, the English Crown implemented systems of governance that included
the appointment of royal rulers and the creation of colonial councils to concentrate political
and economic control in these territories, such as the British Parliament, which was in charge
of imposing policies and taxes to monopolize trade and collect taxes from the colonies. In the
context of the colonies, Parliament was not the local government of the colonies. It made
decisions affecting the colonies but did so from London, without direct representation of the
American colonists. In other words, the colonists had no voice or vote in Parliament, which
led them to suffer and feel that the laws and taxes were unfair because they had not had the
opportunity to participate in their creation despite having their own local assemblies.

One such example is the Navigation Acts of 1651 which required that only English ships
carry goods to and from the colonies, and that colonial products such as sugar, tobacco and
molasses only be exported to Great Britain, limiting trade with other countries and severely
affecting the colonists. Another example is the Writs of Assistance of 1761, which allowed
British agents to conduct searches without probable cause or specific authorization. In this
way, Great Britain was becoming a beneficiary of all these activities which, in a way,
increased the economy but exclusively for them.

However, Great Britain faced considerable debt and sought to increase its income by
imposing new fiscal and commercial laws in the colonies such as “The Intolerable Acts” of
1774 and many more that were unjust because they violated the rights of the population in
these colonies, altering the established political structures. This led the colonists to question
their own role in building a more just and representative political system and, being strongly
inspired by the Enlightenment movement, the colonies began to organize and created a bond
of unity that led them to fight for their independence from English control. It is for these and
a number of other causes that they began the process of freedom with different figures such
as James Otis, a Massachusetts lawyer who gave one of the first speeches on independence,
until time passed and the famous slogan of “No taxation without representation” was
reached, culminating in the American Revolution of 1775 to 1783.

From all these events, documents such as the Declaration of Independence, written by
Thomas Jefferson in 1776, were drafted to establish primarily the natural rights of men such
as their liberty, the value of their lives, marking a non-return to the control of Great Britain.
Of course, since they needed an organization to support all these ideologies and declarations,
the need for a political structure led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution in 1787,
establishing the separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial
branches to avoid any kind of concentration of power through a system of checks and
balances. Nevertheless, its ratification was not immediately achieved. To advocate its
adoption, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, a
series of essays arguing the need for a strong but limited central government, capable of
guaranteeing stability without falling into authoritarianism or manipulation in the
Constitution. And so, to guarantee fundamental rights, the Bill of Rights was added in 1791,
protecting freedoms such as speech, religion and due process. Over time, these principles
have been strengthened, expanding citizen participation and consolidating the rule of law as
the foundation of American democracy.

Owing to this broad historical context, a country such as the United States was able to
become an inspiring example to be followed and a model for other countries to follow. Its
experience under British domination clarified that without explicit guarantees, freedom could
be easily violated. Therefore, the Constitution is written by 27 amendments listed in the Bill
of Rights, through which the democratic Federal Government is organized and sustained.
This democratic state is founded on principles that guarantee the rights and responsibilities of
every person residing in the country, recognizing their inherent rights.

These are not only laws written on paper, it is about real guarantees that affect the daily lives
of the citizens. Among these fundamental rights, the First Ten Amendments of the 27, allow a
person to freely express their opinion without fear of reprisals, to participate in their religion
without being persecuted and to claim for justice when they feel their rights have been
violated, moreover to be granted with protection or legal action dedicated to defend that
person. Thanks to the implementation of these, as time progressed, citizens started to demand
and enjoy a more worthy life, removing the root of concerns related to inequities. Thus it was
that, throughout history, the concepts of equality, equity and justice have been built and
redefined by the existing democracy, providing a compromise between control and freedom
by limiting the power of the Federal Government and Congress in the people's lives. This
democratic principle is also reflected in current day discussions, such as the controversy over
birthright citizenship in the United States. The 14th Amendment guarantees that every person
born in the U.S. is a citizen, but recently an executive order attempted to eliminate this right,
raising anxiety in many immigrant communities. And, to prevent this or to demonstrate that it
was inappropriate, the people's response was vital since organizations and citizens actively
mobilized to inform and defend the rights of the people affected.

Regardless of civil liberties, a democracy, to be exercised properly and fairly, relies on the
involvement of its people. A perfect example of this is the right to vote, which immensely
benefits both U.S. society and the countries that are learning from it. By giving its people a
meaningful voice and representation, it allows each citizen to express his or her interests, to
freely elect from among diverse options and to place their hopes in those that best reflect the
welfare of the majority.
Similarly, we now turn to the economy. Throughout the history of the United States, the
economy has functioned as a pillar supporting democracy, as it has been shaped—just like
laws and rights—by historical context, social evolution, and the needs of citizens, influencing
their lives and the way the country is governed.

The U.S. economy has evolved significantly since the colonial era when the colonies were
subjected to a mercantilist system under British rule. As previously explained, this system
restricted industrial development and exclusively favored Great Britain, entirely disregarding
the colonists. After gaining independence, the country began building a self-sufficient
economy through agriculture, territorial expansion, and free trade, which allowed for growth
until it was fully consolidated, turning the United States into an industrial power and leading
to the creation of a highly developed infrastructure, as seen today.

One of the events that also led the U.S. government to adopt a more interventionist approach
was the Great Depression of 1929, which resulted in the creation of the New Deal. This
policy promoted job creation and provided a foundation for capitalism and the free market,
strengthening democracy while simultaneously improving the economy through the
generation of opportunities.

Today, American democracy has been intrinsically linked to capitalism and the free market.
In this way, “economic freedom” fosters entrepreneurship, trade, and wealth generation,
granting the democratic system greater self-determination and representation. However, at the
same time, these economic systems impact democratic governance when considering supply
and demand, taxation, and labor rights.

The article "Democracy is good for the economy. Can business defend it?" by Vanessa
Williamson analyzes the relationship between democracy and the economy, highlighting how
the health of one influences the other. Williamson points out that democratization can
increase GDP (Gross domestic product) per capita by 20% to 25%. However, democratic
erosion brings significant economic costs, such as stagnation, political instability, clientelism,
brain drain, and violence.

These factors negatively impact the business environment, as autocratic regimes tend to
manipulate markets to consolidate political power, introducing additional risks for
companies. The article also emphasizes the responsibility and interest of businesses in
defending democracy with its people. While the companies may face challenges when
engaging in political matters, their active participation in its employer's life is essential to
maintaining a stable and prosperous economic environment. Williamson suggests that
businesses should be aware of the risks associated with democratic erosion and take steps to
support and strengthen democratic institutions.

In summary, democracy and the economy are closely interconnected in a healthy way, but
their stability depends on the democratic values upheld by businesses and the role of the
government in proactively defending the rights of every citizen to ensure economic balance.
Therefore, the relationship between the economy, rights, and democracy is neither a
coincidence nor merely a historical consequence, but rather an ongoing interaction that
shapes our societies. Every economic advancement has brought both challenges and
opportunities for exercising democratic rights, just as every crisis has tested institutions and
contributed to improving social justice through learned lessons.

A particularly illustrative case of this interdependence is the Civil Rights Movement in the
United States. Economic disparities between white and African American citizens were not
just a consequence of racial discrimination but also a tool for perpetuating social exclusion.
The lack of access to well-paying jobs due to segregation in education created economic
barriers that limited political participation. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 not only guaranteed
legal equality but also opened previously restricted economic spaces, increasing social
inclusion, strengthening democracy, and reshaping economic policies.

Finally, based on the research conducted and presented in this document, it can be concluded
that democratic stability cannot be sustained without justice and equity in any
sphere—especially in the economy—nor can it exist without a population that demands them.
These three aspects are crucial in continuously shaping American democracy, which has
emerged from countless lessons and events that have led to fiscal policies, the exercise of
natural rights, and equitable access to economic opportunities, allowing individuals to
participate in a valid and meaningful way.

Thus, democracy is not a static system but one in constant evolution, relying on an inclusive
economy and strong institutions that guarantee equity. However, since democracy is
exercised by us, human beings, it inevitably has its gaps and fluctuations, as seen in social
status differences and inequality gaps. For this reason, there will always be a continuous
demand for political systems that improve democracy—ones that not only promote growth
but also enhance citizens’ ability to fully exercise their rights.
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