Chapter 3 - Democratic rule Flashcards
What is democracy?
A political system in which government is based on a fair and open mandate from all qualified citizens of state.
What is democratization?
The process by which states build the institutions and processes needed to become stable and democracies.
What is direct democracy?
A system of government in which all members of the community take part in making the decisions that affect that community.
What is representative democracy?
A system of government in which members of a community elect people to represent their interests and to make decisions affecting the community.
What is liberal democracy?
A form of indirect democracy in which the scope of democracy is limited by constitutional protection of individual rights.
What is e-democracy?
A form of democratic expression though which all those with an interest in a problem or an issue can express themselves via the internet or social media.
Mention some of the problems with e-democracy
- Opinions are not methodically collected, so while something might seem like the general opinion it may just be a few expressing it a lot
- Expression on social media is bias or even meant to provoke, such as trolls.
- Leads to mistrust to traditional forms of participation
- Not all have internet access
- The internet can be manipulated by regimes
What is an echo chamber?
The phenomenon by which ideas circulate inside a closed system, and users seek out only those sources pf information that confirm or amplify their values.
Define limited government
Placing limits on the powers and reach of government so as to entrench the rights of citizens.
What is civil liberties?
The rights that citizens have relative to government, and that should not be restricted by government.
Define structural violence
A term used to describe the social economic and political oppression built into many societies
What does the book mean with Checks and balances?
An arrangement in which government institutions are given powers that counter-balance one another, obliging them to work together in order to govern and make decisions.
What is modernization?
The process of acquiring the attributes of a modern society, or one reflecting contemporary ideas institutions and norms.
What is meant by waves of democratization?
A group of transition from non-democratic to democratic regimes that occurs within a specified period of time and that significantly outnumbers transitions in the opposite direction during that period.
How many waves of democratization has there been and when?
First wave, 1828-1926
Second wave, 1943-62
Third wave, 1974-91
