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A democratic society is essentially formed around the principle that everyone is equal
andhas the same rights. In these societies, it follows that education should be treated as a
right that everyone is entitled to instead of a privilege that is only given to some. However,
democratic societies have a tendency to become uneven with privileged groups. While this
may be fair, we must take a step back and understand that unequal education is hurting
society more than helping it. Because economic losses and forfeited opportunities are
harmful to society, universities and governments must invest in equal education and ensure
that it remains a right instead of a privilege, so that society is better off as a whole.
In a democratic society, all citizens participate equally in the decision-making process of
anything that might affect them. Societies like these are often formed around political
documents that lay out the foundations and principles of the society. For example, the
Declaration of Independence, by Thomas Jefferson, is a key document that describes the
principles that lie at the heart of USA’s democratic society. The purpose of the Declaration
was to declare that the colonies were leaving England because the British government did
not adhere to its responsibilities to its citizens in the colonies. In doing so, Thomas
Jefferson outlined the principles that became the basis of the new government. In what has
become a famous phrase, he declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." This preamble highlights
the idea that has become central to America
and to other democratic societies in the world: that everyone is equal and that 
everyone has the same rights.
It follows that education should be treated as a right instead of a privilege. By definition, a
right is “something that a person is or should be morally or legally allowed to have, get, or
do." Rather, a privilege is a “benefit that is given to some people and not to others"
(M-W.com) If education were a privilege and was only given to certain people, then our
society would not be democratic because not everyone is being treated equally. Education
should be treated as a right that everyone is entitled to. The principle of equal rights was
preached by Thomas Jefferson and is one that has become the foundation of democratic
