Power and Development Flashcards
Main characteristics of a Democracy
A true democracy is one where the government is elected by citizens in elections that are;
-Free and fair
-Free from intimidation
-Each persons vote is cast the same
-Having a choice of candidates that represents all
Democracies also usually abide by the rule of law. E.g., citizens having the freedom to enjoy freedom of speech. As well as having thing such as pressure groups.
Examples of Democracies
The UK; The first modern democracy. It evolved from, the monaural system of government. Representation emerged on the 13th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that there was representation for all.
-Other examples; Norway; New Zealand; Nigeria.
What impact do Democracies have on global order?
- Involves having certain values; usually more liberal in their thinking and want to negotiate. (As we have seen from the war in Ukraine) They usually have lots more soft power.
- Democracies are more likely to be apart of IGOs; this usually means that some sovereignty is given up, but you have more power as a result, as it helps to stop things such as war. Being apart of an IGO shows that states are willing to compromise in order to achieve global order, and solve global issues.
- Democratic peace theory; Immanuel Kant; and Thomas Paine- the increasing number of democratic states is an opportunity for peace and co-operation.
- Democracies promote ‘Zones of peace’, where they all share the same values.
Main characteristics of a Semi-Democracy
They have many of the characteristics of a democracy such as, elections and representation, but many elections may not be free and fair. The representation may be skewed to allow one party to dominate the representative assembly.
Examples of a Semi-Democracy
Russian Federation; they have authoritarian systems of government; first tsarism and the communism. It became a democracy in 1991 with the fall of the Berlin wall, and the soviet union.
-Other examples; Turkey; Hong Kong; Belarus
What impact do Semi- Democracies have on global order?
- They don’t have many allies; more realist than liberal; they see power as a competition (RUSSIA V UKRAINE)
- They don’t think about the interests of others, just what they want to do/ in the interest of those in charge.
- They usually have more power; they aren’t usually in IGOs and don’t want to be. They don’t have much soft power because of this- they can do more of what they want to. They also might loose power due to others opinion (Sanctions that are being imposed on Russia, causing gas prices to go up, and cause chaos in IGOs0
Main characteristics of a Non-Democracy
An absence of the most important characteristics of a democracy; they don’t have free fair elections and having a choice of alternative candidates and parties.
Examples of Non-Democratic states
China; they claim to be a democracy. There are elections to the 3000-member National Peoples Congress and there is some choice of candidates between independentists, communists and representatives of one of the 8 communist- sanctioned parties created before 1950. However, rival parties and pressure groups are banned. As well as this, it is seen as criminal not to vote so turn out is usually high. There is no freedom of speech.
-Non-Democratic, failed, autocratic and failed states are dangerous places to be and make the world more dangerous.
What impact do Non-Democracies have on global order?
- They have some allies, but not because they are liked. The UK trades with China, but we don’t like them. They also don’t conform to austerity.
- They are both aggressive and communicative
- China for example, is both liberal and realist. They do things that appear Liberal, and end up being for their own self-interest. For example, they abstained from a vote regarding the invasion of Ukraine, for their own self-interest because it isn’t in their interest to vote either way.
- They don’t have to worry about the public, because they do what they want, this in turn gives them more power; both soft and hard.
Main characteristics of an Autocratic state
Means that they are ruled by a single person or body. They also ban opposition parties and supress protests. If their is a political parties associated with the leader, it will not operate in the same way that a democracy does. The leaders usually claim cult status, and this is on the basis of superhuman qualities or divine appointment.
Examples of an Autocracy
Syria; They maintain the appearance of democratic institutions and representation. there were elections to the Peoples Council of Syria in 2016 in the midst if the civil war, but the votes only held for 250 seats in government-controlled areas. They also have the worst human rights record as said by the Human Rights Watch pressure group.
What impact do Autocracies have on global order?
- They don’t have many allies. Their power comes what they have to offer. (Such as oil in Syria)
- They behave in a very undemocratic way; but some democratic states get on with them. The UK, doesn’t get along with Syria and Iran
- Undemocratic and Autocratic states, threaten global peace when democratic states become concerned with the treatment of citizens by the governments of these states.
Main characteristics of a Failed State
The Fund for Peace, a Washington-Based non-governmental organisation uses 4 criteria to identify a failed state;
- The loss of control over a states territory.
- A government has lost legitimacy and lacks the authority to make collective decisions.
- The inability to provide basic services to citizens, such as health care and education.
- The inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community.
Examples of Failed States.
Somalia; In 2008 they topped the Fund for Peace index as the most fragile state. They had a 10 year civil war that broke out after the collapse of the military regime of Siad Barre in 1991. Children receive a total of 3 years worth of education, infant and maternal mortality is high and average life expectancy is 55.
-Other examples; Afganistan
What impact do Failed States have on global order?
- They need a lot form other states so they aren’t popular; neighbouring countries receive a lot of migrants, so there aren’t very good relations.
- They have no power; they are at the mercy of other states.
