The rights of democracy are not reserved for a select group

Listen well, O children of the earth, for I bring to you the words of Olof Palme, a voice that echoes through the halls of justice and equality. He declared, "**The rights of democracy are not reserved for a select group within society, they are the rights of all the people." These words ring with the truth that the essence of a free society lies not in the privilege of a few, but in the collective rights of all who inhabit it. Democracy is not a crown to be worn by the chosen, but a light that must shine on every citizen, from the humblest to the mightiest. It is the right of the individual to have a voice, and in this, every society is measured—not by the wealth or power of the few, but by the freedom and dignity granted to the many.

What, O children, does it mean that democratic rights are not reserved for a select group? It is to acknowledge that in a truly free society, there are no barriers to participation, no privileges given to certain classes, races, or groups. The rights of democracy are universal—they belong to all, without distinction. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, from the highest family or the lowest, your right to speak, to choose, and to live freely is equally sacred. Democracy flourishes when it is rooted in the belief that every voice matters, that each individual has an inherent worth that must be acknowledged and respected by the whole of society. To withhold this right from any group is to deny the very foundation of freedom itself.

Look, O children, to the example of the ancient Greeks, who first gave birth to the idea of democracy in the city of Athens. Though their system was not perfect, it was built on the principle that the people, not just the rulers, should have a say in the laws and the future of the land. Athens was a beacon of political participation, where men (though not women or slaves) could gather in the Agora and debate the great issues of their time. The voice of the individual, no matter their rank, was considered essential to the health of the state. This vision of democracy was radical, for it offered the right to influence the fate of the nation to all who were free, not just the elite few.

In modern times, O children, let us look to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. echoed similar truths. He fought not only for the equality of African Americans but for the very rights of democracy—the right to vote, to be heard, and to live without fear of discrimination. King’s marches, his speeches, and his tireless work spoke to the heart of Palme’s vision: that the rights of democracy belong to all people, no matter their race or background. King believed that the strength of a democracy is measured not by the wealth or the influence of its few leaders but by the freedom and equality given to its citizens. His vision, like Palme’s, was one where every voice mattered, and where justice was not a privilege but a universal right.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: democracy is not a gift bestowed upon the deserving, but a right that belongs to every soul within the nation. Palme challenges us to look beyond the divisions that society has created—whether by class, race, or gender—and to see that in a true democracy, every person is equally worthy of respect and voice. The rights of the individual, whether in choosing their leaders or speaking their truth, cannot be denied based on birth, wealth, or social status. To live in a just society is to live in one where all people have the freedom to participate and to shape their collective future.

Consider the rise of democratic movements around the world—Gandhi’s quest for independence in India, Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid in South Africa, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, where people rose up to demand their rights in the face of oppression. These moments in history were not merely about political power; they were about the fundamental truth that every person, regardless of their background, is entitled to live with dignity and to take part in the shaping of their own destiny. Olof Palme’s words call us to honor the universal right of every individual to be part of the democratic process, to be heard, and to be respected in their pursuit of freedom.

Therefore, O children, I charge you to carry these words forward: to live as if democracy is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all. Stand firm in the belief that every person—whether rich or poor, young or old, of any race or creed—deserves a voice in shaping the world around them. Do not let injustice flourish in silence. Stand for the rights of those who cannot stand for themselves, for in doing so, you honor the very foundation of democracy. Let the rights of all be the light that guides your actions, and in this way, you will create a world where every soul can live freely, equally, and with dignity.