Democracy and Our relationship to the state

Question 1

what is democracy

Answer 1

• a set of institutions built around competitive elections that enable all adults to choose and remove their government

Question 2

what are the 4 different forms of democracy

Answer 2

1. direct democracy
2. representative democracy
3. liberal democracies
4. illiberal democracies

Question 3

define direct democracy

Answer 3

• direct rule by the people traditionally possible in small societies

Question 4

define representative democracy

Answer 4

• rule by representatives elected by the people

Question 5

define liberal democracies

Answer 5

• promote participation, competition, liberty and emphasizes individual rights and freedoms

Question 6

define illiberal democracies

Answer 6

opposite of liberal democracies, limits and suppresses individual rights

Question 7

what are the two competing theories of democracy

Answer 7

1. democratic elitism
2. participatory democracy

Question 8

define democratic elitism

Answer 8

-wanting the wealthier to bein control

Question 9

define participatory democracy

Answer 9

where the people directly participate in making decisions

Question 10

why is democracy thought to be special

Answer 10

because the laws are made by the people so it is in their interest

Question 11

what is the problem with majority rule

Answer 11

Unanimous decisions are rare therefore democracy means accepting the majority

Question 12

define cosmopolitan democracy

Answer 12

-beyond bounds of state
-challenge to the central role of the state