CP Chapter 3 Flashcards
Dahl’s Definition
the continuing responsiveness of government to the preference of citizens, considered as political equals,
Does not include: reedom of expression, right to vote, everyone is eligible to run
Universal suffrage
All adult citizens have the right to participate in the electoral process that selects and removes government leaders
Elements of Democracy
Accountability, Participation, and contestation
Participation
Clear rules must institutionalize universal suffrage; political choices must be unforced
Contestation
Real competition for power must exist; there must be more than one group competing for power
Unitarism
The constitution grants the central government exclusive and final authority overy policy making across the entire national territory. Pro: promotes Effective gov, Con: weak state and local gov
Federalism
The constitution grants two or more governments overlapping political authority over the same group of people and same piece of territory. Pro: allows protection of citizens preferences or to protect minority groups rights, Con: inefficient
Presidential System
A constitutional format in which the executive and legislative branches enjoy both separation of origin and separation of survival
Parliamentary system
A constitutional format in which the executive and legislative branches have neither separation of origin nor separation of survival
Separation of Origin
Voters directly elect the members of the legislature and also cast a separate ballot directly electing the chief executive, the president
Separation of survival
members of both the executive and legislative branches serve for fixed terms of office
Semi-presidential hybrid
a constitutional format in which the president and parliament enjoy separation of origin, but only the president enjoys separation of survival
Dual Executive
In hybrid democratic regimes, an executive branch of government characterized by a division of authority and responsibility between a president a prime minister
Plurality Rule
candidate who receives the most votes in electoral district wins seats even if its less than the majority of votes
Majority Rule
candidates obtain actual majority in a district to win
Requirements/rules for democracy (textbook)
Needs elected government, Civil Liberties, Fair and Frequent Elections
Madison’s Dilemma
balance between effective versus limited government
Closed Autocracy
no multi party elections for the chief executive and legislature (i.e. North Korea)
Electoral Autocracy
elections held for chief executive and legislature but fail to meet minimum prerequisites for competition and/or participation (i.e. Uganda)
Electoral Democracy
elections, competition, participation, and protection of liberties. Government falls short in other areas such as civil liberties. (Philipines)
Liberal Democracy
free and fair elections, minimum standards for competition and participation are met. Gov’t protects civil rights, liberties and rule of law. Free media separate from gov’t control. (United States)
Duverger’s Law
SMDP systems encourage 2 party systems
Alternative Vote
absolute majority needed, goes through cycles of eliminating least popular
pro: voters convey more information and don’t have to worry about voting strategically; encourage parties and candidates to seek votes from beyond their base of support; guarantees a majority ruler instead of plurality
con: complicated
Majority Runoff
no one wins majority, the top 2 go to a second round runoff
pro: guarantees majority winner coalition incentives, simple
con: expensive!!!
Single Member District Plurality
one candidate, most vote win if not over 50%
pro: more direct political accountability, responsibility, and constituency service; simple in comparison to others
con: can produce unrepresentative outcomes at district and national level; can be biased against small parties; can help smaller parties when support is geographically concentrated in small # of districts and ethnic parties
Proportional Representation
Multi-member districts and parties win in proportion to their vote share; Party leaders control who gets the seats they win; More parties with chance at seats in the legislator; Coalition governments
Closed Party Lists
candidates determines by party, voters vote for party
Open Party Lists
voters vote for party and candidate
