Democracy, Justice & Freedom

Question 1

What is the broad/vague democracy?

Answer 1

Method of collective decision making premised on equality of all members
- power spread widely
- those affected make decisions

Question 2

What are the types of democracy?

Answer 2

Direct and Representative

Question 3

Define direct democracy

Answer 3

people affected by decisions make them
e.g. athens, members of polis

Question 4

Define representative democracy

Answer 4

we elect people to rep our interestsby the state

Question 5

What are limitations of repreentative democracy?

Answer 5

• some people aren’t allowed to vote (athens: slaves, women, poor people)
• some people not represented (eg. minors)

Question 6

define legitimacy

Answer 6

quality of someone instit. that has rightful claim to power/ authority

Question 7

what must a legitimate ruler do?

Answer 7

exercice their power in a way that’s required of them

Question 8

What does every state have?

Answer 8

a constitution

Question 9

What does a constitution do?

Answer 9

• structure
• how electons will be run
• must last in time (not easily undone)
• can end up being out of touch with reality
• when assessing legitimacy constitution used

Question 10

Why must citizens obey the law?

Answer 10

Because laws are made by representatives to express the will of the people

“Fact that laws are made democratially gives them a legitimacy the maybe don’t deserve” (Garnet et al.)

Question 11

What makes a representative democracy?

Answer 11

• diversity of options so people can make real choices (competition)
• people chosing their govt.
• equality (1 adult citizen=1 vote)
• Accountability (transparency)

Question 12

What are tools for accountability in representative democracy?

Answer 12

Seperation of power (Diff. branches hold each other account.)
Media (shine a light on the govs. actiond)

Question 13

Where did liberal democracy emerge?

Answer 13

In westb as a result of French & american revolution

Question 14

Elements of liberal democracies

Answer 14

• seperation of power into branches
• must pay attention to basic human rights
• free-market economy

Question 15

What is one of the fundamental ideas of liberalism?

Answer 15

Free-market economy: possibility to engage in free economic market

Question 16

What are the Basic human rights?

Answer 16

• Freedom fom harm
• Freedom of association
• Freedom of thought & speech

Question 17

What is the rule of law?

Answer 17

everyone is equal before the law/ no one is above the law

Question 18

Whats is the sources of the rule of law?

Answer 18

The constitution (laws made on due process)

Question 19

What are the guardians fo the rule of law and what do they do?

Answer 19

Courts: interpret constitution, mak sure las follow const. and prevent govt. from abusing power.

Question 20

What is a main problem with majority rule?

Answer 20

Tyranny of majority

Question 21

What is tyranny of majority?

Answer 21

It’s possible to yield undemocratic results from democratic processes
eg. Hitler was elected/ Italy elected Fascit president

Question 22

What is the problem with ruling in the interest of a majority?

Answer 22

• There’ll always be a minority (opposition)
• minority gets less representation
• discrimi. against minority
  some minorities stay the same every time (indigenous under rep in parliament)

Question 23

What are the two types of liberty?

Answer 23

Negative and Positive

Question 24

what is negative liberty?

Answer 24

‘freedom from’ external constraints (how free should one be of regulattion/ gov intervention)
eg. American bill of right

Question 25

What is positive liberty?

Answer 25

Freedom to attain a desired outcome & self-development
what form of support is required from the gov for one to enjoy their freedom? (liberal welfare states)

Question 26

What is democratic elitism?

Answer 26

Views political participation as a burden, only used to keep politicians in check.
Question democracy due to hitlers election

Question 27

What is elitism?

Answer 27

Believes that state institutions should and are rules by elites (wealthies, white, men)

Question 28

Joseph Shumpeter thinks we can reconcile elitism with democracy. How?

Answer 28

• elites will compete to represent different interests and values
• people will choose their fav elite and not fav policy because they are politically illiterate
  –> elites must make decisions for them

Question 29

Why does democratic elitism believe there is a decline in political participation?

Answer 29

1. ordinary citizen are happy to leave politics to the elites
2. dont have knowledge or interest in politics
3. only vote during national elections

Question 30

What is protective democracy?

Answer 30

• alternative to democratic elitism
• critique of formal procedural democracy (rigid)

Question 31

What does protective democracy beive is the role of the people?

Answer 31

• not just elect govt
• participate to deepen democratic values
• engagement= better informed citizen w/ political consciousness
• Garner et al: citizens who participate become virtuous and more intelligent

Question 32

What is deliberative democracy?

Answer 32

Rationality of choices must be put to test by public debate and deliberation

Question 33

Why should the debate be public?

Answer 33

• increased legitimation of decision (town hall)
• social interactions and solidarity

Question 34

What is the main critique of the deliberative democracy?

Answer 34

Overestimates consensus