Fact check: Liberal democracy based on the premise that the average person has moral agency as an individual

1. Summary of the results

The relationship between liberal democracy and individual moral agency is complex and multifaceted. While theoretical frameworks strongly support this connection, with democracy being fundamentally dependent on citizens' moral commitment to mutual respect ^[1] and built upon principles of human dignity and fundamental rights ^[2], real-world implementation shows significant challenges to this ideal.

Historical evidence, particularly from the women's suffrage movement, demonstrates how democratic expansion has successfully promoted individualism and personal moral autonomy ^[3]. However, this theoretical foundation doesn't always translate into practice.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A crucial missing context is the gap between theoretical democratic ideals and practical implementation. The case study of Indonesia provides a stark counterexample, where liberal democratic structures have actually enabled oligarchic control rather than individual agency ^[4]. This demonstrates how:

• Democratic systems can be co-opted by elites to legitimize resource extraction
• Rural and marginalized communities can be effectively excluded from meaningful participation
• The presence of democratic institutions doesn't automatically guarantee individual moral agency

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement presents an oversimplified view of liberal democracy that fails to acknowledge several critical factors:

1. Power Dynamics: While liberal democracy is theoretically based on individual moral agency, in practice, powerful elites can manipulate democratic structures to maintain control ^[4]

2. Economic Factors: The statement ignores how economic inequality and resource control can undermine individual moral agency even within democratic systems ^[4]

3. Beneficiaries of this narrative:

• Political elites benefit from promoting the idea of perfect democratic function while maintaining control
• Academic institutions and theorists benefit from promoting idealized versions of democracy ^[2]
• Economic elites benefit from maintaining the appearance of democratic legitimacy while exercising disproportionate influence ^[4]

The reality is that while individual moral agency is indeed a foundational principle of liberal democracy ^[2], its practical implementation requires constant vigilance and reform to prevent capture by powerful interests.