For the Swedish context, in Swedish, click here.

Better Democracy

Ideal democracy, or democracy of the highest quality, is when all individuals can compete fairly for formal political power positions—such as prime minister, member of parliament, etc.—to realize their ideals and meet their needs.

If those who, through their professions, for example, in media, education, culture, unions, and social media, influence the public's political opinions lean more to the left than the general population's views, left-wing politicians receive an unfair advantage. Ideal democracy therefore requires an equal number of right-wing individuals (note that racism or xenophobia is neither more right-wing nor left-wing) and left-wing individuals in professions that shape public political opinions.

These ideas connect to political theory. Joseph Schumpeter defines democracy based on those who compete for formal political power rather than on those who vote in general elections*. He also argues that democracy emerges when there is a certain degree of competition among politicians, and that the more competition there is, the better the democracy**.
*The book Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Chapter 22 - "Another Theory of Democracy").
*The same book and the same chapter, Section IV – "Competition for Political Leadership", point 4.

An important point is that no one should be prohibited from influencing public political opinions—for example, by working as a journalist—even if the goal is to improve the quality of democracy. Some ways to enhance democratic quality rely on right-wing individuals seeking out such professions to a greater extent. Other approaches could involve politicians shutting down or reforming state institutions that undermine democratic quality.

A key premise is that right-wing individuals have equal value to left-wing individuals. This means that right-wing people's opportunities to win formal political positions in order to realize their ideals and satisfy their needs are just as important as those of left-wing people.

When right-wing individuals cannot compete fairly they have less chance than left-wing individuals to use politics to realize their ideals. This is equivalent to political power not being equally distributed. Yet one of democracy's core principles is the equal distribution of political power, expressed in the "one person, one vote" rule in elections.

Holding political power without the mandate to realize one's ideals and needs is a hollow victory. Political power should not be solely about earning a paycheck. There needs to be an element of idealism and the opportunity to satisfy deeper personal needs.

In many countries, like in the USA and Sweden, there are more left-wing than right-wing individuals in professions that influence public political opinions. Those countries' democracies would therefore move closer to the ideal if more right-wing individuals entered such professions.

Guaranteeing that right-leaning individuals have the same opportunities to use politics to realize their ideals and meet their needs is a matter of "personal autonomy."

Society Becomes More Right-Wing

If more right-wing individuals enter professions that influence public political opinions, the population will shift further to the right while democracy simultaneously becomes more ideal.

A Call to You Who Are Young and Right-Wing

If you are young and share right-wing values, seriously consider choosing a profession where you can influence public political opinions. This could include journalism, podcasting, YouTube, teaching, advertising, politics, or social media.

Through your career choice, you can simultaneously improve democracy and contribute to a more right-wing society. It is a way to combine personal autonomy, idealism, and real impact.