Democracy - CF Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are the main types of democracy?
Direct Democracy: Citizens participate directly (e.g., referendums).
Representative Democracy: Elected officials make decisions.
Deliberative Democracy: Decisions through rational discourse.
Participatory Democracy: Emphasizes broader civic participation.
Procedural vs Substantive Democracy: Rules vs Outcomes.
Define deliberative democracy and its focus.
It emphasizes reasoned debate, inclusive participation, and rational discourse among free and equal citizens to shape policy decisions.
What is Robert Dahl’s concept of Polyarchy?
A minimalist democracy stressing participation and opposition with multiple institutions that ensure inclusivity, free elections, and civil liberties.
How does pluralism differ from elitism?
Pluralism: Power is dispersed among interest groups (Dahl, Truman).
Elitism: A small ruling class controls policy (Pareto, Mosca, C. Wright Mills).
Differentiate between pluralist and neo-pluralist theories.
Pluralist: Equal competition among groups; state as neutral arbiter.
Neo-Pluralist: Recognizes power imbalances and emphasizes policy feedback, countervailing power.
What is the key criticism of participatory democracy?
Risks include manipulation, elitism, slow decision-making, and resource-intensity (Barber, Habermas, Morgenthau).
Quote by Robert Dahl on democracy?
“True democracy is not merely about elections but the active participation of citizens in decision-making.”.
Quote by Habermas on deliberation?
“Only by communicating in a rational way can free human beings with different perspectives reach a common understanding.”.
Quote by C. Wright Mills on elitism?
“Inequality of wealth and income is the ultimate and paramount source of power in American society.”.
Name Robert Dahl’s works relevant to democracy.
“Who Governs?”, “Polyarchy”.
David Truman’s contribution to pluralism?
“The Governmental Process: Political Interests and Public Opinion”.
Arthur Bentley’s contribution?
“The Process of Government” — foundational for group pluralism.
Name key supporters of deliberative democracy.
Jurgen Habermas, John Rawls, Amy Gutmann, Dennis Thompson, Joshua Cohen.
Who supports participatory democracy?
Carole Pateman, Benjamin Barber, Rousseau.
Who supports pluralist theory?
Robert Dahl, David Truman, Arthur Bentley.
Who critiques deliberative democracy and why?
Nancy Fraser: Risks exclusion of marginalized voices.
David Estlund: Rise of epistemic elitism.
Jane Mansbridge: Time-consuming nature.
Simone Chambers: Weak enforcement in practice.
Critics of pluralism?
E.E. Schattschneider: “Pluralist heaven sings with an upper-class accent.”
G. William Domhoff: Corporate elites dominate policy.
Sheldon Wolin: “Pluralism is a device to make democracy safe for upper classes.”.
Example of deliberative democracy in practice?
Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly on abortion — guided legislation through public deliberation.
What illustrates Dahl’s polyarchy in modern democracy?
Switzerland’s referendums = participatory polyarchy.
Sweden = institutional competence, freedom of expression.
Example of elite control in democracy?
U.S. lobbying by corporate elites influences healthcare and tax policy (C. Wright Mills’ thesis).
