Lecture 1 What is democracy

Question 1

What is democracy?

Answer 1

It means different things to different people
Globally, two dimensions are mentioned most often:
* Rule of law/ liberalism
* Rule by the people/ democracy

but there are more possible dimensions

Question 2

Rule of Law

Answer 2

Rule of law:
- equality
- popular sovereignty
- freedom
- rights
- liberty

Question 3

Rule by people

Answer 3

Rule by people
- political process
- elections

Question 4

First wave 1820-1918

Answer 4

About old democracies, mainly western Europe + USA
- took a long time to develop, and there were very few
- very gradual:
from unlimited power for the king to a constitutional monarchy to the first parliaments to state insititutions

resulted in:
nation-stae + suffrage expanding

before WWI some eastern countries were experimenting with democracy

This is why there is the idea that it is unfair to expect african countr

Question 5

First Reverse wave 1918- end WWII (1945)

Answer 5

Due to rise of facism and communism resulting in WWI and WWII

Question 6

Second wave 1945-1969

Answer 6

• After end of World War II till 1960
• Countries that were fascist becaome democratic again.
• Decolonisation resulted in a lot of countries become independent + experimenting with democracy
• Decolonisation happened due a lot of colonies helped during war, which triggered a lot of independence movements.

Question 7

Second reverse wave

Answer 7

• 1960-1989 Due to Cold War
• USA and SU supported dictators in order for support back which hindered the democratisation processses

Question 8

Third Wave

Answer 8

• Starts before end Cold war
• Due to democratisation of southern European States
• Started in 70’s with the dictator of Portugal leaving due to disagreements in army about Angola.
• Spain democratised after Franco died,
  which influenced democratisatin processes in Latin-America
• After Cold War: also more democratisation due to victory of the West

–> Democracy seen as solution
+ influence colonies on democratisation

Question 9

Problem with the concept of Waves

Answer 9

We generalize.
There is always movement in both ways
There is democratic backsliding right now in some countries, while there are also some succesful

Question 10

Normative arguments democracy (3)

Answer 10

1. Ideally –> a ‘‘fair system’’: because everyone has a say
2. The government represents what the people want
3. There is equality

Question 11

Normative arguments Autocracy (2)

Answer 11

1. It is more efficient in crisis –> responds quicker, dont have to deliberate with entire group
2. enlighted despote –> can ignore stupidity of people ‘‘defend them against themself/ own bad choices’

Question 12

Empirtical arguments democracy

With a strong evidence

Answer 12

Quite strong evidence democracy leads to:
1. Better human rights
2. less corruption
3. human development/ health
4. quality of government
5. trade
6. technological change
7. FDI (foreign direct investment)

Question 13

Empirical arguments democracy

pretty strong evidence for

Answer 13

pretty strong evidence democracy leads to:
* positive impact on social and economic policy outcomes

( education, environment, growth)

Question 14

Empirtical arguments democracy
NO effects found (3)

Answer 14

There are no effects found of democracy on:
1. inequality
2. inflation
3. public spending

Question 15

Empirtical arguments Autocracy (2)

Answer 15

1. You can plan for the long-term –> no waiting on elections/ votes
2. Stable autocracifes –> high quality public services
   - to keep people satisfied, preventing them for rising up
   - examples: Rwanda, and Singapore