Democracy

Question 1

What does democracy mean?

Answer 1

Rule by the people

Question 2

Definition of democracy?

Answer 2

Dahl (1971) most important from his 8 criteria is right to vote, free and fair elections and freedom of expression

Question 3

What is the problem with defining democracy?

Answer 3

Democracy is not a fixed concept, rather a system with varying levels of depth, interpretation and integration

Question 4

Problems with direct democracy ?

Answer 4

• Cannot be used in complex modern society with high populations
• Does not include wider protections on individuals rights such as American Bill of Rights
• Democracy can lead to tyranny of the majority (Plato,360 BC) undermining ethnic minorities
• Cannot deal with complex problems, attempts to reduce down to yes/no

Question 5

How can direct democracy be incorporated?

Answer 5

• Can mix elements of direct democracy with representative democracy such as referenda
• Used in Switzerland to vote on decentralised issues
• Direct democracy allows us to bypass what would be personal interests of politicians

Question 6

How is democracy the best form of government in défense of liberty?

Answer 6

• Protects against powerful governments that may seek to infringe some civil liberties

Question 7

How does Locke explain democracy is best to protect liberty?

Answer 7

• Locke (1659) questions the validity of absolutism which sacrifices individual liberty in the name of security and order by a higher authority.
• Instead, the state is founded through the consent of citizens and it should be the governments duty to uphold these natural rights (life, liberty and property) by giving up some freedoms
• People have the right therefore to change governments that fail to protect that liberty
• Played an influential role in the formation of the American Constitution whereby democracy can protect the the right to ‘life, liberty and pursuit of happiness’.

Question 8

Another reason why democracy protects liberty?

Answer 8

• Provides legal clarification for one freedoms to judge whether they have been infringed upon
• French Revolution created the ‘The Declaration of the Rights of Man’

Question 9

How may democracy negatively impact liberty?

Answer 9

• Can lead to tyranny of the majority where majority rule equals the absolute truth

Question 10

Tocqueville quote on tyranny of the majority? And explanation of argument

Answer 10

‘The human mind would be closely fostered to the general will of the greatest number’

He argue in US there was a supply of ready made opinons based on public trust without individual critique and evaluation

Greatest number equals greatest truth?

Tocqueville, 1835