Democracy: Code of Conduct

This document is a natural follow on from ‘Democracy: Principles and Values’. While the first aimed to set out what is democracy and how one should view democracy, this Code of Conduct builds on the premises established. It is one thing to have beliefs about the merits of the cause; it is another to behave in accordance with those beliefs. To a fair degree, we are all set in our ways and some self-discipline is required to be effective.

Most of us understand the emotional journey that has led us to this point in our lives. For some, it can take years, often well-beyond childhood, to achieve that important psychological balance between fulfilling our own personal needs with those of others, living with the dichotomy of respecting ourselves and others in equal measure, being in charge of our own lives while allowing others to be in charge of theirs, and living with uncertainty, ambiguity and even the occasional defeat. They all take trust. All these are positive attributes for the democrat. While there are other factors than can predispose to autocratic thinking, including societal and cultural biases, the autocrat whether acting as superior or subordinate finds living with structure and certainty more attractive. The angry autocrat without emotional wisdom is highly destructive.

Being a genuine democrat is not easy. It requires not only the belief but also the emotional maturity to deliver and with that, the democrat recognises that everybody is different, but everybody is also equal.

As well as the emphasis on emotional well-being there are other attributes that will help. Not least is appreciating that democracy as the system of government is above politics. We all have a place on the left-right political spectrum. As a democratic we must view ourselves as being above the political spectrum looking down at improving the system, even when at times it may appear that a more democratic system will deliver a decision counter to one’s personal left-right views.

Figure: A 2-dimensional political bi-spectra. Left right is the traditional axis we think of. The vertical direction is governed by the Democratic-Autocratic spectrum. As democrats we need to focus on the vertical axis looking down at the left-right axis and being robust in preventing the strong arm of autocratic overreach. While as democrats we can accept differences of opinion along the left-right axis, we must be uncompromising in being at the top of the Democratic axis.

We need to understand that to effect the change to improve the system we can only achieve this through political engagement. To help us stand out as democrats we must avoid the derogatory politics of those we are opposing. Our arguments need to emphasise the positiveness of what we are campaigning for. For example, we may be motivated by preventing the far right from taking over our country and campaign on a slogan of ‘Stop the fascist right’. This fails to stand out on several counts. Rather than giving the impression of being above politics and delivering a new politics, there is reference to the present left and right spectrum. Opposing the ‘right’ implies we are left. We may not be, and the slogan may fail to influence the non-fascist right.  Furthermore, it states what we are opposing rather than what we are advocating. It leaves the debate firmly on the territory of that which we oppose rather than where we want it to be. Instead, we need to train ourselves not ‘to stop’ but ‘to propel’, not ‘to be antifascist’ but ‘to be pro-democracy’. Left and right should be terms we abandon. Best will be for campaigners to adjust and learn the new rhetoric.

Unlike the Principles and Values in which it is anticipated that every democrat can fairly readily agree and adhere to from the onset, The Code of Conduct may require some adjustment time. It is therefore viewed as a set of aspirations for individuals to train themselves to achieve over time.

Thus, the aim is to define a set of guidelines that outline the personal attitudes, responsibilities and behaviours of democrats, to themselves, each other and to those less inclined towards democracy.  There is guidance on conflict resolution. 

The Code is arranged as a list of single sentence qualitative statements. The items subjectively allow individuals and organisations to self-appraise their own democratic behaviours and to improve themselves against the criteria. It may also be used by political figures and others and to allow people to distinguish democrats from non-democrats.

The code is devoid of specific issues and examples. This is deliberate. These can be measured against the list of statements to see if the response to a specific issue stands up to the test of being pro-democratic or not.

2026 and we see that democracy is under attack from both external threats and from within. With the global situation, both environmental and geo-politic as it is, the stakes have never been higher. Preserving democracy and how to behave as democrats arguably are the most important individual and strategic battles that humankind faces. Strong democracies internationally will result in a safer and healthier world. Strong democracies require strong democrats

Ultimately, even when the democratic institutions are conducive to promoting and protecting democracy, it is the quality of the population to follow the democratic principles, even when under duress that will determine whether democracy has a new invigorated life to it.

The code of conduct:

The Basics

1. As a democrat I shall conduct my whole life with honesty and personal integrity
2. As a democrat I shall uphold and promote all the Principles & Values of Democracy
3. As a democrat I shall uphold and promote the institutions that maintain Democracy
4. As a democrat I shall learn about Democracy and all its facets
5. As a democrat I shall promote Democracy and conversely not undermine it.
6. As a democrat I shall always endeavour to promote the positive aspects of Democracy and other views that I may hold.
7. As a democrat I shall only reference the negative aspect of what is being opposed so that it may be contrasted with the positive.
8. As a democrat, I shall respect all political views, even those I disagree with.
9. As a democrat, the only views I shall disrespect are those that are anti- democratic or coming from a known anti-democrat.
10. As a democrat, I shall campaign legally and non-aggressively.
11. As a democrat, I shall only campaign illegally in the exceptional circumstance that the constraints on campaigning legally are so restrictive, that it would be otherwise impossible to communicate the message.
    
    Emotional insight
12. As a democrat I believe that my own emotional maturity, wellbeing and intelligence, and those of others, are essential in the pursuance of Democracy.
13. As a democrat I believe that the core attributes of emotional well-being that promote democracy and resist autocracy are reality, honesty, hope, compassion, empathy, personal growth, resilience, balance, autonomy and taking responsibility.
14. As a Democrat I recognise that I may be motivated to campaign for a democratic or political cause due to the anger that has come from an injustice that I or another has endured.
15. As a Democrat, I understand that it is more effective to turn the anger from ‘against the thing that has made me angry’ and channel it ‘to the positive opposite of what has made me angry’.
16. As a Democrat, I shall not use anger as a destructive agent but only in a constructive manner to right wrongs and make life better for others and self.
17. As a Democrat, I shall not needlessly blame others, but I may point out where others have not taken responsibility by pointing out how I would have done things differently.
    
    Democrats in Politics
18. As a democrat I recognise that I also hold political views.
19. As a democrat I shall understand the difference between those opinions I hold that are pro-democracy and those that are political.
20. As a democrat in politics, I recognise the limits to which I may influence people’s lives for the better.
21. As a democrat in politics, I recognise the untold harm that could be done by the misplaced, misguided or irresponsible use of power.
22. As a democrat in politics, I shall make no promises, but instead I shall declare my aspirations.
23. As a democrat I recognise that promoting democracy takes priority over my political views, but without necessarily rejecting those political views.
24. As a democrat I recognise that the views of my primary political allegiance may come into conflict with the principles of democracy, and I may be in the minority.
25. As a democrat when my political and other views conflict with the Principles & Values of Democracy, I shall resolve this conflict with the latter prevailing and remaining uncompromised.
26. As a democrat If I am in a position of power, I shall promote and enhance Democracy in conjunction with my political agenda.
27. As a democrat in power, I shall not campaign on one agenda and deliver another.
28. As a democrat in politics, when the normal accepted processes of Democracy have been followed and none of the Principles & Values of Democracy have been broken, I shall accept defeat gracefully.
    
    Debates and discussion within the pro-democracy movement
29. As a democrat I realise that within this pro-democracy movement there are many nuances, opinions and approaches, all of which are pro-democracy.
30. As a democrat, within this pro-democracy movement I shall only discuss and debate, that which is relevant to democracy.
31. As a democrat, within this pro-democracy movement I shall not discuss that which is not relevant to democracy.
32. As a democrat, within this pro-democracy movement, I may discuss democratic issues in other countries, or the realising of non-democratic policies by potentially undemocratic means.
33. As a democrat I recognise that everybody including myself has biases and prejudices.
34. As a democrat I recognise my own biases.
35. As a democrat when it is necessary, prudent or helpful in conversation, I shall declare those biases and prejudices.
36. As a democrat when it is necessary, prudent or helpful in conversation, I shall encourage others to declare their biases and prejudices.
37. As a democrat, within this pro-democracy movement I shall aim to resolve all differences in opinion through discussion.
38. As a democrat, within this pro-democracy movement I shall always understand and promote the positive attribute.
39. As a democrat, within this pro-democracy movement I shall debate and discuss with arguments that promote democracy.
40. As a Democrat, within this pro-democracy movement I recognise I may find myself holding a minority opinion, whereupon I shall politely stand aside from actions I disagree with.
    
    Effecting Change
41. As a democrat when engaging with others outside the movement, I shall aim to promote democracy and resolve any non-democratic differences in opinion through discussion.
42. As a democrat when engaging with others outside the movement, whether discussing democratic or other issues, I shall debate and discuss with arguments that promote democracy.
43. As a democrat when engaging with others outside the movement, whether discussing democratic or other issues, I shall always aim to promote the positive attribute.
44. As a democrat I acknowledge that improvements in Democracy can only come about with the will of the people and through the political process.
45. As a democrat I shall not be partisan or name call, but I may point out where individuals and institutions are being undemocratic.
46. As a democrat I shall be strong in advocating the lenient view.
47. As a democrat I shall pursue peaceful resolution of conflicts
48. As a democrat I acknowledge that rarely, to defeat anti-democrats, I may need to resort to tactics that are in themselves anti-democratic with the uncompromising intention to restore fully any democratic principles that had to be suspended.