80 likes | 269 Views
Defining Democracy. Greek: demos —the common people; kratia —power Definition: political power, direct or indirect, through participation, competition, and liberty Subjective definition—favors individual freedom over collective equality Term liberal democracy used to note this.
E N D
Defining Democracy • Greek: demos—the common people; kratia—power • Definition: political power, direct or indirect, through participation, competition, and liberty • Subjective definition—favors individual freedom over collective equality • Term liberaldemocracy used to note this
Heads of Government • In charge of the everyday tasks of running the state, especially in making policy • In many countries, this takes the form of a prime minister (parliamentary system) • Elected by the legislature • Usually head of the largest party in legislatures • Serves at their pleasure—can be removed by a vote of no confidence by the legislature • May be weaker or stronger, depending on head of state
Parliamentary System • Prime minister dominates as head of government • Removed by national elections or vote of no confidence in legislature • Head of state either a monarch or a president • Head of state largely ceremonial—little real power (though may be indirectly or directly elected)
Presidential System • Directly elected president • President serves as both head of state and government—no prime minister • Powerful, and cannot be removed other than by impeachment or election • Not beholden to legislature • Can weaken party as candidates focus on winning one single election versus coalition building and working up the ranks
Legislatures: Bicameral or Unicameral? • Unicameralism: • Single chamber • Bicameralism: • Goes back to Britain, notion of different chambers for different classes • Commonly used under federalism: one house to represent local communities
Participation: Voting and Elections • Central to liberal democracy • Suffrage: right to vote • Age, ethnicity/race, income? • Obligatory, voluntary? • Electoral systems: How do we count votes? How do we waste votes? • Single Member District (SMD) • Proportional Representation (PR)
Single Member District: Effects • Large number of votes may be wasted • Share of seats may not reflect the share of votes won • Small parties tend to do badly, unable to gain first place in single member districts • Result is a two party system—people unwilling to vote for small parties • One alternative is to have two rounds or other mechanisms to ensure majority
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties • Substance of democracy itself—rule of law • Civil rights: promotion of equality • Civil liberties: promotion of freedom • Variation in range of civil rights and liberties • Free speech, movement • Privacy, religion • Healthcare? Education? Work? • Positive freedom versus negative freedom • What rights should democracy guarantee?