Political Regimes Flashcards
Democracies and Autocracies
What is the concept of Democracy?
The political regime is ruled by and for the people
What is a polyarchy, according to R.Dahl?
A democracy with political limits
Democratic waves
(1826 - 1926)
The right to vote, however it was mainly expanded with the white majority.
- Britain, France, Italy, US
WW1&2
(1943 - 1962)
An increase in democracies after the end of WW2 and decolonisation
- Austria, Japan, SK
CW; Military coups
(1974 - 1990s)
Fall of the Berlin Wall & end of the CW and dictatorships.
- SouthEastern Europe, LA, Africa
Three Democratic Qualities
- ELECTORAL: Free and fair elections
- PARTICIPATORY: Pluralism
- LIBERAL: Civil Liberties
Types of democracies which aren’t based on democratic qualities
DIRECT DEMOCRACY
There isn’t a representative, participation from the public and equal deliberation.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
An elected representative represents the people, based on rule of law, the majority rule
Features of a democracy (9)
Free and fair elections
Pluralism
Representative government
Institutions & checks and balances
Good governance (low corruption)
Opposition
Political knowledge/culture
Free media
Protected rights and liberties
Full Democracy
the type of democracy ticking all the boxes
Flawed Democracy
the type of democracy that not all democratic elements are met
Liberal Democracy
the type of democracy that follows the rule of law and highly protects the rights and liberties of individuals. However, has limited government.
Illiberal Democracy
(Zakaria, 1997)
the type of democracy with elected government but weak protection of rights and liberties of individuals and rule of law.
What is Liberal Consitutionalism?
it focuses on the protection of human rights and individual liberties
Why isn’t the rule of law a guide in Authoritarian Regimes? (5)
Laws as vague and contradictory
The judiciary system is vague and corrupt
Absence of constitutional constraints
Lack of an enforceable legal framework
Civil liberties aren’t respected
Hybrid Regime
Combines both democratic and autocratic characteristics.
Democratic: regular elections, elected government, democratic institutions
Autocratic: high corruption, weak rule of law, little protection for human rights
Authoritarian Regimes
Centralised power on one leader and party.
High corruption, opposition and no protection for individual rights.
4 features of AR
Coercion: all actions are based on the use of power, force and manipulation
Patronage: the state is centralised on one leader. Everyone must follow.
Media: favourable coverage of the government
Military: spending on the military to prevent opposition of any possible attacks.
