Defining Democracies Flashcards
How did Abraham Lincoln describe democracy?
By the people, of the people and for the people
What are the key features of democracy?
+ A degree of citizen participation
+ Accountable government
+ Free, fair and regular elections with universal suffrage
+ Decisions open to discussion and debate
Key principles of democracy
+ Political equality
+ Popularity participation
+ Government governing in the interest of the people
What is the liberal dimension of a liberal democracy?
+ Protection of Civil liberties
+ Plurality of groups
+ Constitutionalism and the rule of law
+ Checks and balances on power
What is legitimacy?
The degree to which a body can be justified in exercising its power.
What are ways in which a body can achieve legitimacy?
+ Elections and referenda
+ A majority vote in the legislature
+ Adhering to Constitutionalism and the law
Politicians in Representative Democracy
+ Professional politicians work on behalf of the people
+ Representatives are more than just delegates, it’s their job to make decisions that they think are in the best interest of the people
+ Accountable to the people
Participation in Representative Democracy
- Indirect
- Irregular
- Free, fair, regular elections with universal suffrage
Parliament in Representative Democracy
+ Lies at the centre of the decision making process
+ Powers are limited
Three key features of Direct Democracy
1) Citizens make decisions themselves rather than having representatives work on their behalf
2) Participation is continuous and perpetual
3) There is no formal distinction between people and government
Where was Direct Democracy famously used?
Ancient Athens
Which country has some elements of Direct Democracy today?
Switzerland, where citizens can vote directly on issues on an annual basis and have the people’s initiative to instigate referenda
