Lecture 7 - Democracy

Question 1

Are people drifting apart/ polarizing more?

Answer 1

Diploma democracy: higher educated makes laws and policies => do not represent the rest => bias in parliament

Substantive representation: is ok as long as there are people wo represent the interests of those not present

Geographical separation: parliament has no idea what is happening in the rural countryside

Age separation: those in power tend to be older.

Question 2

What is the theory of polarization?

Answer 2

Higher educated (homogenous groups) drifts away from lower educated (homogenous group): Less overlap between the two as time goes on.

Question 3

Is there really more polarization?

Answer 3

Higher educated perceive a higher distance and more tension between the two groups than lower educated.

But no real evidence in the Netherlands in recent years.

Question 4

What are David Easton’s levels of political system support?

Answer 4

Diffusing (regarding principles): over time, democracy support increases => people become more in favour of democratic principles.

Specific (regarding actors): over time, people become more critical of the democratic government (less political trust)

Question 5

How do David Easton’s levels of political support system relate?

Answer 5

Democratic deficit occurs when specific is higher than diffusing.

Over time, people expect more of democracies but have less trust in the politicians.

Question 6

What is democratic deconsolidation?

Answer 6

Younger generations share more autocratic ideas and slightly less democratic ideas than previous generations

Question 7

What are reasons for democratic deconsolidation?

Answer 7

Distrust

Destruction: search for social identity is harder in contemporary society

Deprivation: economic insecurity => more material values

Dealignment: extent are people aligned to political parties, and right now the political landscape is completely fragmented

Question 8

Are younger people more conservative due to insecurities?

Answer 8

No, the research does not find that
But changes in globalization, becoming a lot more economically globalized has correlation to more autocratic values.

Question 9

Is polarization harmful for democracy?

Answer 9

More tension

But: good balance in parliament => maybe middle ground solutions?
Majority needs to be heard

So: nuanced outcome. Positive and negative aspects. Depends on how it is discussed.