6.1d A Liberal Democracy

Question 1

Liberal Democracy

Answer 1

A liberal democracy respects the will of the people and has regular free and fair elections.

In a liberal democracy the government is held accountable.

John Stuart Mill argued that democracy helps individuals to develop.

By participating in democracy an individual can learn and develop and therefore become more rational and fulfilled.

Liberals argue that a democracy should have a constitution to ensure that the government’s powers are checked.

Question 2

Liberal Democracy:

Answer 2

Limited government

Limited government means that the government’s role is limited by checks and balances, and a separation of powers to avoid too much power lying with one branch.

Checks and balances are where the three branches of government (the executive, legislative and judiciary) each have distinct powers to check up on each other’s work and ensure there is not too much power in any one branch.

The separation of powers means that no one person can be in any more than one branch at any one time.

Question 3

Liberal Democracy: Examples of limited government

Answer 3

The US system of government ensures limited government through a system of checks and balances laid out in the Constitution.

For example, Congress (the legislative branch) makes laws, but the President (executive branch) signs them into law or vetoes (blocks) them.

This is laid out in Article I of the Constitution.

Congress made the American Healthcare Act (also known as Obamacare) and President Obama signed it into law in 2013

Question 4

Liberal Democracy: Examples of separation of powers

Answer 4

The US system also has a separation of powers, meaning that the Constitution specifies in the first three Articles that no one can serve in more than one branch at any one time.

For example, Obama had to resign as Senator for Illinois when he won the Presidential election in 2008.