Markovitz Flashcards
Q: What is political disobedience?
A: A form of lawbreaking motivated by principle rather than personal gain, often used to challenge unjust laws or policies.
Q: How does political disobedience differ from ordinary crime?
A: It is based on moral or political principle rather than personal interest or self-dealing.
Q: What is a democratic deficit?
A: A failure in the democratic process where policies or laws do not reflect the will of the people.
Q: What is democratic disobedience?
A: A form of political disobedience that seeks to enhance democracy by correcting democratic deficits.
Q: How does Markovits differentiate between liberal and democratic disobedience?
A: Liberal disobedience challenges laws based on fundamental rights, while democratic disobedience aims to fix failures in democratic engagement.
Q: How does the liberal view define democracy?
A: As an extension of justice and equality, with laws being justified by their protection of fundamental rights.
Q: Why does the liberal view justify political disobedience?
A: Because democracy is limited by fundamental rights, and disobedience can be necessary when the majority violates them.
Q: What is the republican view of democracy?
A: Democracy is a self-sustaining authority where individuals see themselves as authors of collective decisions, even when outvoted.
Q: Why does the republican view justify democratic disobedience?
A: Because democracy depends on engagement, and disobedience can correct failures in democratic participation.
Q: Why does Markovits argue that disobedience can enhance democracy?
A: Because democratic processes sometimes fail, and disobedience can push for necessary political engagement and reform.
Q: How does democratic disobedience compare to judicial review?
A: Both serve as correctives for democratic deficits, ensuring that policies align with democratic principles.
Q: How does democratic disobedience compare to judicial review?
A: Both serve as correctives for democratic deficits, ensuring that policies align with democratic principles.
Q: Why does Markovits critique simple majoritarianism?
A: Because it does not guarantee true democratic engagement and can alienate dissenting voices.
Q: How does the Civil Rights Movement fit into liberal disobedience?
A: It sought to enforce fundamental rights, particularly equal treatment and basic liberties.
Q: Why do protests against the Vietnam War, nuclear weapons, and globalization fit into democratic disobedience?
A: They challenge broader democratic failures rather than just violations of fundamental rights.
Q: What is Markovits’ prediction for the future of political disobedience?
A: It will increasingly follow a democratic model, focusing on correcting elite-driven distortions of democracy.
