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September 2026 – Democracy: Decades of Difference
Tuesday the 15th September marks the International Day of democracy. The UN Democracy Fund will mark the International Day of Democracy with an event at UN Headquarters exploring how people can turn “voice into action.”
At a time when civic participation is becoming more restricted, and disinformation is increasing, building trust, encouraging dialogue and involving people in decision-making is more important than ever. Inspired by the principle of “We the People,” the event will highlight democracy as a powerful force for participation, hope, cooperation and positive change.
But what is democracy? Very cleverly, people may say, " Well, GLP Training, it’s a British Value, which it is, but what does democracy actually mean to YOU!
I find we talk about democracy in Western countries sometimes in a very throwaway fashion. It’s something taken for granted, almost without considering what it would be like to live in a country which isn’t a democracy.
Democracy means 'rule by the people'.-BBC
GLP Training history lesson
When we consider democracy in the United Kingdom, its roots go back hundreds of years. Most notably in the 17th century during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when a King had his head chopped off in London, and Oliver Cromwell created the first semblance of a democracy of the people, not simply an Autocracy of a monarchy.
Ironically, we know this only too well at GLP Training, because its head office is based in Worcester, the faithful city (Civitas Fidelis), when battles raged around its city walls during this time.
“Democracy provides a vital framework for human flourishing” - Universal Peace Federation.
However, before socialism became influential in the 19th century, the right to vote in Britain was limited, especially for working-class people.
- Most women could not vote.
- Many working-class men could not vote.
- Voting was mainly restricted to men who met property or wealth requirements.
- Wealthier landowners, property owners and members of the middle and upper classes had much greater political influence.
- In many areas, the voting system was also unequal, with some places having far more political representation than others.
A series of reforms gradually expanded the vote. The Reform Acts of 1832, 1867 and 1884 increased the number of men who could vote, although universal adult suffrage was still a long way off.
William Gladstone, the then Primeminster, had already recognised the responsible behaviour of skilled workers, their growing interest in politics, and their educational achievements in 1866. He argued that Parliament should not ignore the “increased fitness of the working class for political power”, suggesting that educated and politically engaged workers were increasingly deserving of greater representation and influence.
During the second half of the 19th century, socialism began to gain support across Europe.
Socialists argued that:
- Workers played a vital role in creating a country’s wealth.
- Workers should have a greater say in political decisions.
- Political power should be shared more equally across society.
By the 1870s, many trade unionists had embraced socialist ideas. They believed socialism could help create better opportunities and a fairer future for the working class.
Still, 50% of the population was not allowed to vote. David Lloyd George replaced Herbert Asquith as Prime Minister in 1916. Lloyd George was more supportive of women’s right to vote and was more sympathetic towards the campaign for female suffrage.
In the UK, women gained the right to vote in stages:
- 1918: Women over the age of 30 who met certain property requirements were given the right to vote.
- 1928: Women gained equal voting rights with men, allowing women aged 21 and over to vote on the same terms as men.
“Democracy is powered by the will of the people -- by their voices, their choices, and their participation.”- UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
What do you expect to see in a democracy?
Voting and political representation are the main signs of a democracy. In the UK, we vote for a local representative, called a Member of Parliament or MP, to represent us in the Houses of Parliament. The party with the most MPs form a government.
People in local communities can also vote for someone to represent them and help address issues in their area. These elected representatives are called councillors.
The modern British Parliament is one of the oldest continuous representative assemblies in the world.
But we still have a King?
The United Kingdom is still like many European countries where a monarchy still exists, unlike places such as France, which is a republic after its Revolution (1789-1799)
The monarch is expected to remain politically neutral rather than supporting a particular political party. It is a constitutional monarchy. The King is the Head of State and represents the country, while elected MPs and the Government make political decisions and create laws.
Why is democracy important?
Apart from a system where your vote represents you, democracies allow and maintain law and order. The public elects MPs to represent their views. They debate and vote on laws, which everyone is expected to follow to help keep society safe and fair.
It protects freedom of speech – People have the right to express their opinions and views, provided they do not break the law or deliberately cause harm or hatred towards others.
It promotes equality – Democracy supports the idea that everyone should be treated fairly and have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their background.
Looking at non democratic systems
If you’re ever tempted to complain about Western democracies or things aren’t fair, take a look at non democratic countries.
North Korea: If you moved to North Korea, power is concentrated in one ruling family, and there are no genuinely competitive national elections. People have very limited freedom to express political opinions or challenge the government.
Saudi Arabia: There are no national elections for a parliament that can replace the government. Citizens have limited influence over national political decisions.
Belarus: Elections and political opposition are heavily restricted. Voters have limited ability to choose between competing political parties and candidates.
Afghanistan: Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, there has been no functioning democratic national government elected through competitive elections. People have limited political participation, and fundamental freedoms, particularly for women and girls, are heavily restricted.
In summary:
The voices, choices and participation of ordinary people strengthen democracy. It works best when everyone’s rights are respected and protected, particularly people and groups who may otherwise be overlooked or disadvantaged.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right protected by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It means that people should be free to have their own opinions, express their views and share information and ideas.
However, in some countries, governments or those in positions of power may restrict what people can say, publish or access.
Article 19 states that everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and share information and ideas through different forms of media, regardless of national borders.
So, the next time you think about what it means to live in Britain, or whether you should use your right to vote, take a moment to remember the millions of people who fought, campaigned and sacrificed to give future generations a voice.
Links and further reading
https://www.un.org/en/observances/democracy-day
Essential topic discussion:
Democracy is one of the fundamental British Values. Students can identify how the article demonstrates:
- Democracy – people having a voice and being able to influence decisions.
- Individual liberty – people having the freedom to express opinions and make choices.
- Mutual respect and tolerance – listening to different viewpoints and respecting people who have different beliefs or opinions.
- Rule of law – laws are created through democratic processes and apply to everyone.
Democracy is closely connected to equality and diversity because everyone should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, disability, religion or other characteristics.
Students could consider:
- Who has historically been excluded from voting?
- How have voting rights changed?
- Why is it important that different groups are represented?
- What happens when certain voices are ignored?
Democracy links to safeguarding because people should be safe, respected and able to speak up about concerns.
Students could consider:
- Having a voice and being listened to.
- Knowing where to go for help.
- Protecting vulnerable people from harm.
- Respecting people’s rights and dignity.
- Creating environments where people feel safe to report concerns.
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