Lecture 4: Democracy and Democratisation

Question 1

Dahl’s Minimalist Definition of Democracy

Answer 1

1. universal suffrage
2. recurring, free competitive, fair elections
3. pluralism
4. different and alternative sources of information

Question 2

Dahl’s Substantive definition of Democracy

Answer 2

1. effective participation
2. voting equality
3. enlightened understanding
4. control of the agenda
5. inclusion of adult citizens

Question 3

Models of Democracy

Answer 3

1. direct democracy (self-governance)
2. representative democracy
3. deliberative democracy (focus on improving democracy)
4. liberal democracy (individual political liberties, pluralism)
5. participatory democracy (citizens more involved in policymaking)
6. social democracy (moving towards socialism by democratic means)
7. digital democracy

Question 4

Crisis of representative democracy

Answer 4

1. decline in voter turnouts
2. decline of parties as vehicles of mass participation
3. polarisation

Question 5

stages of democratisation

Answer 5

1. liberalisation (start of reform process from autho-)
2. transition (arrangements are made)
3. consolidation (acceptance of new system)
4. deepening (from procedural to substantive)

Question 6

stages of de-democratisation

Answer 6

1. deconsolidation (growing discontent at system flaws)
2. illiberalisation (reforms and policies that curtail freedom)
3. weakening (from substantive to procedural)
4. transition