Comp. 5

Question 1

Democracy

Answer 1

Form of regime associated with rule by people.
Signifies rights and liberties for citizens, including political rights to participate in elections and civil liberties such as freedom of speech.

Question 2

What are two main points of democracy that most political scientists share?

Answer 2

1. ) some geographical units in world are more or less democratic, relative to each other
2. ) civil and political rights

Question 3

Civil rights

Answer 3

Rights including freedom of assembly, speech, access to information, equal institution

Question 4

Political rights

Answer 4

Participation in electoral process
Elections are free and fair– most can vote
Multiple political parties/choices to run for office
Elections are regularly scheduled, held periodically

Question 5

Procedural definition of democracy

Answer 5

Conception of democracy with substantive definition, that emphasizes the minimal standards, procedures, or rules that a country should have in place to govern political life

Question 6

Democracies are:

Answer 6

Not overruled by an outside power (i.e.: colonizer)

Maintains clear distinction between civilian and military rule

Question 7

Substantive definition of democracy

Answer 7

Conception of democracy, contrasted with procedural definition that viewed political democratic status as dependent on satisfaction on certain substantive ends
Ex: extension of broad rights or reduction of income inequality

Participation, social inclusion, and civil society involvement
Equity/equality by gender, race, or other groups
Accountability (including lack of corruption and institutional performance)
Public knowledge and awareness
Poverty, inequality, and other economic outcomes

Question 8

Consolidation

Answer 8

The process through which the New Democratic order becomes institutionalized and therefore more likely to endure

Question 9

Types of democracy

Answer 9

Representative: constitutional republic or constitutional monarchy

Multiparty: two or more parties compete for power

Question 10

Referenda (plebiscites)

Answer 10

Specific issues put to common vote

Question 11

Direct democracy

Answer 11

Conception of democracy that places great emphasis on direct citizen involvement in politics, especially involving plebiscites or citizen assembly, community councils, and similar forms of assembly

Question 12

Democratic consolidation

Answer 12

Longer-term process than transition after authoritarianism. Strengthens democracy
Happens when no major political groups advocating for the overthrowing of democratic system

Question 13

Modernization theory

Answer 13

Traces democracy to broad social changes, especially economic development and the changes that accompanies it

Question 14

Cultural theories

Answer 14

Culture plays a role

Question 15

Systemic institutional theories

Answer 15

Systemic institutions play a role

Question 16

Domestic institutional theories

Answer 16

The advent and success of democracy depend on the political institutions within a country (such as political parties and interest groups, or the way the government is shaped)

Question 17

Agency-based theories

Answer 17

Argue that individual actors, or small group of actor, are the drivers of change in regime types (whether democratic or authorization)

Question 18

Modernization theory

Answer 18

Democracy equals broad social and economic development