To What Extent Do Liberals Agree Over Democracy

Question 1

Type of democracy: agreements

Answer 1

All support representative democracy grounded in constitutionalism, separation or powers, rule of law and individual rights. Gov should be based on rights and if it opposed these rights people can overthrow it- john lock social contract theory

Question 2

Disagreements: type of democracy

Answer 2

Classical: limited democracy to protect freedom, fear tyranny of majority where indidivual rights are infringed, cautious about democratic reforms and they can also threaten liberty
Modern: embrace expansive democracy, see democratic participation as a way to achieve social justice and political equality, advocate for wider reforms to empower all citizens

Question 3

Agreements: freedom

Answer 3

Freedom is fundamental and should be protected, everyone should be free to choice their own paths and free to choose who governs over them in a fair way, freedom should not be limited by the states power

Question 4

Disagreements: freedom

Answer 4

Classical : negative freedom, freedom from the state, democracy can threaten liberty, place emphasis on the idea that there should be minimal involvement in politics to preserve negative freedom- john mill, there are some nuance to his ideas but largely agrees w negative freedom and limited democracy to enhance freedom
Modern: positive freedom, freedom to do whatever you want and in order for this to be successful the gov have the power to provide opportunities for people to rise and flourish e.g education interventions

Question 5

Agreements: role of the state

Answer 5

Protect individual rights and safeguard liberty, prevent harm to individuals
Not unnesasrily intervene w peoples personal life as this could limit liberty

Question 6

Disagreements: role of the state

Answer 6

Classical: minimal state, nightwatch man state, only protect law and order and there should be little to no intervention i
Modern: enabling state that ensures freedom by intervening when nessasary and allowing all individuals to flourish, john Rawls veil of ignorance, equality of opportunity