POLITICAL LEGITIMACY AND MORAL COMMUNICATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

Abstract

Modern world that is characterized by rapid and multifaceted transformations in technology, economy, politics, and culture, the role and meaning of civic duty have evolved beyond traditional frameworks that emphasized merely abiding by the law, voting, or paying taxes. The prevalence of social inequality, structural oppression, and the expansion of digital information systems have necessitated a heightened awareness among citizens of their responsibilities as key agents in shaping society. Civic participation must therefore encompass vigilance, critical inquiry, and advocacy for change at various levels, all grounded in a sense of public responsibility. Civic duty in the contemporary era should be connected with concepts of social ethics, respect for diversity, media literacy, critical consumption of information, and constructive expression for the common good. In this context, apathy towards social injustice can no longer be regarded as neutrality, but rather as complicity in the maintenance of systemic inequality and rights violations. Promoting civic consciousness and social responsibility is thus an imperative task at individual, familial, community, and national levels. Such awareness contributes to the creation of a more equitable, transparent, and sustainable society over the long term. This article proposes a framework for assessing moral discourse that aligns with democratic principles, highlighting the role of moral communication in advancing responsible citizenship in the modern era.