Democracy

1. Democracy

2. a word used in at least three ways in the discussion of government • democratic centralism • direct or participatory democracy • representative democracy

3. democratic centralism • Authoritarian governments define democracy as - a system that represents the “true interests” of the people, whether or not they directly affect those interests. • The central leadership discusses among themselves and decide on what are the “true interests” of the people.

4. former Soviet Union operated on this theory – the central committee made all economic and political decisions. • In other authoritarian regimes, ruthless dictators, calling themselves democratic based on this concept, conduct the business of the country in the “true interests” of the people.

5. direct or participatory democracy • Based on Aristotle’s definition of the “rule of the many.” • Most practical in the Greek city states in which citizenship was extended to all adult male property holders. • These citizens met as a group to decide on issues affecting the polis.

6. New England town meetings. • However, as towns and cites become larger, they are opting for elected representatives to handle the town’s business.

7. initiativeand the referendum allow a substantial measure of direct democracy in modern political system. • Initiatives allow voters to place legislative issues directly on the ballot if enough signature are obtained. • This completely bypasses the legislative process in which a proposed bill goes through committee action in both houses.

8. The referendum allows the legislative branch to place a controversial piece of legislation already approved by them on the ballot. • Voters get the opportunity to reject or approve the particular bill. • These two methods allow the voting citizenry a sort of direct democratic participation.

9. representative democracy • representative democracy involves leaders acquiring power by means of a competitive struggle for the people’s vote. • For representative democracy to exist there must be genuine leadership competition. • Sometimes this theory is referred to as the elitist theory of democracy

10. This sort of government is supported by those who feel that in a direct democracy it is impractical for the public to make policy across a vast array of issues. • They believe that people often decide large issued on the basis of fleeting passions. (ex. Propositions in California – will of the people vs. mass hysteria)

11. For the representative democracy to function, it is necessary that there be competing elites and free communications.