Lecture 5 Flashcards
What is Democracy?
Democracy is a political system where the power resides with the people
Define Democracy
Modern Democracy is a system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions in the public realm by citizens
What is power?
The ability to achieve a desired outcome, to make others do what they would otherwise not do
What are the 3 faces of power?
- Desicion making
- Agenda setting
- Thought control
What is the history of democracy?
It emerged in ancient Greece in restricted and exclusive form and was a negative term for a long time
Thomas hobbes?
Need to give part of individual freedom to the state in a contract
John Locke?
2 treaties of government (1689)
State is important but natural rights can always be reclaimed by individuals
Jean Jacques Rousseau?
Revolutionary ideas about freedom, equality and fraternity
What is absolutism?
When monarchs seek only to increase their power
What is the French Revolution?
a period of major social upheaval that began in 1787 and ended in 1799. It sought to completely change the relationship between the rulers and those they governed and to redefine the nature of political power.
What is “la Declaration des Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen”?
The members of a newly elected assembly created a document that they wanted to offer a new vision “Rights for all mankind” in August 1789
What is the importance of the French Revolution?
- it ended Feudalism in France ( and beyond)
- class privilege replaced with the Enlightenment idea of equal rights
- Rise of Nationalism
What was the Freedom for “all”?
- After the French Revolution, all over Western Europe the power of old elites crumbled as they lost their privileged position.
- Gradually (tax paying) citizens were given the right to vote
- legal barriers between social classes were demolished
What is Utilitarianism?
That decision makers will inly pursue the common interest if their position of power depends on it
What can ensure that those who govern serve the common goal?
- To make them accountable to those the government
Elections are a protective device that ensure the preferences of the people are taken into account by desicion makers
