democratic regimes

Question 1

modern definition of democracy

Answer 1

political power exercised directly or indirectly by the people

Question 2

criteria of democracies

Answer 2

rights and restrictions.
rule of law - political and other behaviour governed by clear, fair rules.

competitive elections - holding elections itself not enough.

Question 3

illiberal democracies

Answer 3

hold elections, but lack key democratic elements
sometimes called electoral democracies or hybrid democracies

Question 4

liberal democracies

Answer 4

promote participation, competition and liberty and emphasize individual freedom and civil rights “true democracies”

Question 5

history of democracy with greece and rome

Answer 5

ancient greece (athens): a small community of direct democracy - few fixed institutions

rome: republicanism
indirect democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elected officials

separation of powers: clear division of power among diff branches of government and the provision that specific branches may check the power of other branches.

Question 6

direct democracy

Answer 6

public participates directly in governance and policy making: historically found in small communities such as ancient athens

Question 7

indirect democracy

Answer 7

public participates indirectly through elected representatives - the prevalent form of democracy in the modern age

Question 8

modern liberal democracy

Answer 8

date from late 18th century.
individualism one of the core building blocks. demands for political and economic freedom increasing - state’s power to be limited. state = a referee and protector from excess state power and excessive demands of citizens

Question 9

possible explanations for democratization

Answer 9

modernization, elites, civil society, international relations, political culture

Question 10

modernization and democratization

Answer 10

economic modernization means a middle class emerges - old traditions of authority weakens
new values emerge. many democracies are wealthy but you can modernize without democratizing and vice versa.

Question 11

elites and democratization

Answer 11

distributions of wealth and power matter

elites may choose to support democracy if the transition is negotiated in a way that allows them to keep their wealth, and if supporting democracy wins them international support

Question 12

society and democratization

Answer 12

the public will be better able to push for reform if civil society is strong.

Question 13

international relations and democratization

Answer 13

international actors can play a direct or indirect role in promoting democracy