...Democracy is defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. In a democracy people have influence over or access to decision making and everyone must be treated equally. Direct democracy is a system in which every voter can take part in reaching a decision. The most obvious modern version is referendum where people vote “yes” or “no” to a specific question. Switzerland holds referendum at least three times a year to make the most important decisions even though they elect a parliament which is left to minor decisions. However, they hardly ever take place in the UK (the last one was in 1975), normally only at a time of constitutional change or when the issue is serious and based on public opinion. One argument in favour of a greater use of direct democracy would be that direct democracy is the purest form of democracy and reflects perfectly the view of all the citizenry. There is not a difference between the people and the government and the people can shape their society accurately. However, direct democracy is impractical in a large society with 45 million voters. The amount of money and time that referendums take is not suitable for urgent decisions. Another argument to support the use of direct democracy would be that it prevents politicians from going beyond their power when making decisions and it would increase legitimacy as the government is getting direct consent from the people through such methods such as referendums. Nevertheless, direct...
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...In this essay I will discuss the different kinds of democracy and its advantages and disadvantages regarding to a quotation of Englands prime minister (1940) Winston Churchill: ‘Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.’ (from a House of Commons speech on Nov. 11, 1947). The essay argues that Churchill is right in saying that democracy has a lot of weak aspects but is still the best solution to rule a community- compared to its alternatives. Starting with the definition of democracy itself I will explain its different kinds followed by the main existing alternatives. In addition to that, democracy’s pro and con’s will be discussed ending with a conclusion. ‘It is not the State that orders us; but it is we who order the State!’ (Hitler, 1935). This statement, taken out of a speech of the German dictator from the 1930’s Adolf Hitler, ironically explains the term democracy very well. Demos means translated the people and kratos rule; the people rule the state (Hague and Harrop, 2010). Talking about this form of government we distinct between the direct, Classical version and the indirect, representative democracy (Hague and Harrop, 2010). Classical democracy, based in Ancient Greece, is the ‘only pure or ideal system of popular participation’ as most decisions were made directly by the people (Heywood, 2007:76). Nevertheless, the high level of political participation also brought major disadvantages as...
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...the idea of democracy in the Age of Pericles was designed to strengthen Athens, its weaknesses ultimately led to its inevitable termination. This thesis will be defended by showing that democracy denied morals and ethics, examining the weakness in the system of democracy, and demonstrating a flawed system. Democracy has not worked in the past because although it holds up its idea of justice, it denies the basic morals and ethics of human rights. “Think not of life and children first, and justice afterward, but of justice first” (Document 2), is the message that was set out by the laws of democracy. These same laws are what failed Socrates in the end. He was a “victim, not of the laws, but of men” (Document 2). In the end, it was the laws set up by humans themselves that truly brought out the worst qualities in human nature. While philosophy focused on the rights of man, democracy focused on the rights to govern man. In order to create a form of government that benefited the people as well as morals and ethics, “a love of truth and hatred for falsehood that will not tolerate untruth in any form” (Document 3) was needed. According to Socrates, “there is nothing more closely akin to wisdom than truth. So the same nature cannot love wisdom and falsehood” (Document 3). The problem with democracy is that it denies truth in order to justify its means. Referring back to the example of Socrates, who was failed under the system of democracy, it is seen that although democracy justified...
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...To what extent does democracy in the UK suffer from a ‘participation crisis’? There has been a decrease in the general election turnouts, suggesting a participation crisis that can arguably cause the party that gains the position of govt. to lack legitimacy. In 2001 the general election turnout was 59 per cent. Furthermore, there has been a gradual decline in party membership numbers for the three main parties, signifying partisan dealignment, less than 1 per cent of the UK’s electorate is currently part of the Conservatives, Labour or Lib Dems. Additionally, participation in other areas of UK politics such as the election of MEP’s, is showing an obvious participation crisis, resulting in the party UKIP dominating the UK for the EU parliament, the turnout for 2014 was 34 per cent. Lastly, further emphasising the current participation crisis in the UK referendum turnouts have been traditionally low, this means decisions implemented based on these results lack legitimacy, the turnout for the AV referendum in 2011 was 42 per cent. However, contrary to previous turnout figures the Scottish devolution referendum had a historic turnout of 85 per cent, suggesting that the current participation crisis democracy in the UK is improving. Moreover, although party membership for the UK is currently at a historic low, pressure group membership has increased dramatically. Suggesting, the electorate are turning to pressure groups for more effective representation. Noticeably, the pressure group...
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...2014 Defining Democracy Democracy began in ancient Mesopotamia and continued on through classical Greece and Rome then towards the rise of Islamic civilization to the modern day in the United States. It has gone through its trials and tribulations to become what it is today and continues to change and grow. Democracy is defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary as "a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections " Also has been defined as a government "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth." by our 16th president Abraham Lincoln. Elements that a government must have to be considered a democracy are that it must have a political system for electing and re-electing new officials for the government through free and fair elections. Furthermore, it needs an active participation of the citizens in politics and everyday life, all citizens must have protection of their human rights, and there has to be a rule of law, which is when the laws apply equally to all citizens. A government must comprise of all these elements in order to be called a legitimate democracy. Elections are key for a democracy. Elections provide the citizens of that country an opportunity to choose someone they accept in the given office and it also gives them a right to freedom of choice. Democracy is the freedom of...
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...Doctor K., Hello. You said, “I am reminded of the Founders fear of democracy whenever I consider the Progressive era. One question I consider is should the people have this much power? Does it create an unfavorable lack of stability? I generally answer no, overall, to these questions. I also think we tend to see more stability through the Arizona Constitution than we might in others, like perhaps California's. But in a representative democracy, I think such questions are important to consider.” In reply to: 1. One question I consider is should the people have this much power? Democracy is founded on faith in people. It is based in the dignity and worth of human beings and a shared humanity. It assumes that the basic objective of social...
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...military coupes of Latin America, to the apartheid regime in South Africa and, most important, the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, democracy has spread around the world. As successful as these events might have been, democracy is still vulnerable; the main reason behind this situation is the fact that, unlike other forms of governing, democracy cannot be installed by force and maintained without the support of the people. Competitive free elections, combined with gradual institutionalization and the construction of a political system which appraises the universal values of democracy have proven to be challenging to deliver. As mentioned by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, “no nation is born a democracy”, but democracy has proven to be the key success factor towards building peace, ensuring economic growth and development, consolidate judicial systems and protect human rights (Current Challenges to Democracy). This essay sets to discuss the main current challenges and problems that young democratic government are facing. While democracy, as a concept, has been widely analysed by political analysts, the events of the last decade have raised awareness of a potential reversion of democracy towards government which make excess use of authoritarian power. According to Scott and Steele (2011) and the Council on Foreign Relations, democracy is especially more vulnerable in the developing countries. In these...
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...Main idea: The author Choi Jang Jip is trying to say that Korean democracy is in crisis. Chapter 1 - Democracy after democratization 1) Low voter turnout – especially among the younger generation; out of repulsion towards the inept and corrupt politicians. 2) Widespread conservatism in politics – strengthened after democratization; cold war anticommunist ideas still dominate Korean politics. The author says the major political parties do not completely reflect the public sentiment. Progressives still remain a minority and such lack of an opposite voice harms democracy. As a result of dominance of the political arena by the conservatives – deepening of polarization in terms of wealth, region; Other issues mentioned - that Korean democracy face: Media role more important, but media companies grew and under the market logic, tried to monopolize the market, and important issues fail to be addressed. Chapter 2- anti-communist cold war politics and premature democracy To trace the origins of the characteristics of Korean politics, he goes back to the period after liberation. Due to the cold war, the nation was divided forcefully by the soviets and the US. Especially in the South, under a strong anti-communist regime, the progressives were suppressed and concentration of resources resulted in the formation of elites in the political, social, economic sector. However, under the authoritative Lee administration, the interest of the public was poorly represented for the sake of...
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...Abstract In this paper, we will look into the relationship between democracy and economic development. The paper opens with a brief look into the importance of economic development, and then looks into democracy and its elements and how they factor into the growth of the economy, with some hypotheses from specialists of the field. Cases of economic growth in non-democratic countries are also delved into, namely the case of China. There the paper analyzes what results in economic growth in the absence of democracy. In the end we come to a conclusion on the matter, whether or not democracy is a necessity for economic growth. Economic development is one of the core priorities of any given state, regardless of regime or position in the international...
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...Democracy and participation: Democracy = a political system based on the idea that government should serve the interests of the people. Legitimacy = the extent to which a government has the right to rule and exercise power. Power vs. Authority: * Power= the ability to make someone do something that they would not do of their own free will * E.g - Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends – the military * Authority = the right to exercise power (based on the consent of those being ruled) * E.g - Legal/rational – HOC * E.g – Traditional – HOL Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media What makes a government legitimate? * Referendums (‘Yes’ answers) * High turnout * Free, fair and regular elections * Lack of dissent * Displays of public support How legitimate is the UK? Legitimate | Not legitimate | * House of Commons is elected | * Electoral system unfair and distorts political representation (FPTP) | * Government elected with mandate to govern | * Every government elected has only achieved the minority of the popular vote | * House of Lords has traditional authority...
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...“The wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are” A. How far do you agree? Pressure groups are organizations, which attempt to influence the government from outside, this means that they do not put candidates up for election and instead act as a bridge between the people and government. The are many different types of pressure groups ranging from wealthy insider groups like the B.M.A. to less wealthy outsider groups like Amnesty International. The wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are. The success of the British Medical Association (B.M.A.) suggests that the wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are. The B.M.A. is a voluntary association that speaks up for the interests of doctors at home and abroad, provides a range of services for its members and engages in scientific research. These activities involve lobbying not only the British government but also the European Union as well. The B.M.A. is undoubtedly one of the most influential and effective pressure groups as they have great influence over the policies of the British government regarding the health care system in matters such as the pay and training of doctors, the work of GP’s and hospitals, and the quality and quantity of medical facilities. This supports the view that the wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are...
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...people, still to this day are dealing with illiteracy and a lack of education. “The percentage of people who are not literate, then, has decreased from 90 percent to about 20 percent in the last 160 years...However, the actual number of illiterate people has increased. In 1850, there were about 1.08 billion people who could not read and write. Today there are about 1.28 billion people without literacy skills”(Text 3 Scientific and Cultural Organization). Some people were unable to survive in the 1800’s because of their lack of knowledge. Although it may not be their fault, but it has cost them a chance to change the world with a possible invention or innovation. Today, children are still not enrolled in school and that will impact their life in a big way because they won’t be able to find a decent job. In the text, “Inventions and Discoveries”, it lists all the inventions from 1800 to to now. “In the 1800’s the first ever electric battery was produced and in the 1850’s the typewriter and lightbulb were created”(Text 4 Inventions and Discoveries). These inventions have been tremendously advanced as years have passed because information has been passed down to each generation. People who lack collective learning are going to be unable to help advance these inventions without knowledge of some sort. Today, most governments are ran through a democracy. In text 6, “Spread of Democracy”, it explains how democracies have impacted the world. “Democratic practices appear fragile...
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...political party is divided over a political issue, and the lack of consensus jeopardises the stability of the party. Failure to reach a consensus may cause revolts amongst back-bencher's, rendering party whips redundant. This can seriously danger the electoral prospects of the party, as publicly divided parties causes the electorate to lose confidence. Referendums therefore provide a democratic form of dispute resolution. A good example of this being exercised in practice is the 1975 referendum over the UK's membership to the European Union. This prevented the collapse of Harold Wilson's Labour Government. Secondly, referendums are used when Government is confronted with extremely controversial political issues. Governments use referendums in these circumstances because deciding the issue themselves may sometimes lead to serious public discontent, once again jeopardising the public popularity and electoral prospects of the party. Membership to the EU is an example of such an issue. An even more obvious example is the Good Friday Agreement referendum. Thirdly, referendums are used to further democracy, and in particular, direct democracy. Political parties in modern, liberal-minded countries all have democracy as a central theme of their electoral manifesto. The 1997 Labour Party manifesto is a key example, as it explicitly expressed a commitment towards referendums. In Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy, government 'by and with the people' was a core element. Referendums...
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...epitome of democracy. As a country believed to be founded on freedom and rights we have credited our founding fathers for the constitution and its ability to structure our society. There are many democracies all over the world, many whom have recently recently experienced a democratic transition. Many political scientists have been studying this trend and have been trying to determine what makes countries choose to become democracies and what factors allow them to thrive as democracies. In order to answer this question it is important to first define the term democracy. The most common definition of democracy today is a system of government that is ruled by the people. In order for...
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...Name Professor Course Date of Submission What Does Political Science Tell Us about Political Parties? Politics is a study that embroils both humanistic and scientific facets of socio-economic and political establishments. As a social science discipline, political science is concerned primary with the studies of states, nations, communities, parties, and policies that form them (Farrell, Webb, and Janda par. 2). Political Science advocates for a systematic, scientific, and fastidious efforts to explore human behavior and actions that have shaped political history and democratic processes. Moreover, political science as a study does not only prepare individuals for employment, but also for survival, given its efficacy in making informed citizenry who has the capacity to participate in the political processes within political parties or interest groups (Freeman par. 12). In addition, political science seeks to expand the scope of political advocacy. As a result, the study pursues community organization and service by the elected or appointed officials to the people. Therefore, political science is the power behind the formation of political parties, and its efficacy is usually instrumental in revealing the underlying relationships between political events and the conditions that generate them (Janos par. 7). In essence, political science seeks to construct the general principles for which societal politics works in line with political parties and the policies under which...
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