Week 4 - Democracy and Citizenship Flashcards
Introduction to Democracy?
- powerful
- universal
- bad idea
- This notion of democracy is hugely powerful; there has been an emergence of democracy as a universal (and not just Western) value, to the extent that democracy is now the standard of political legitimacy.
- However, throughout history Democracy has been seen as a ‘bad idea’…regarded as insignificant.
- So why now is democracy so huge?
What is Democracy?
-definition
Democracy Definition: A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives:
What is Democracy -debate -rules -who answer -
The problem with human community is the debate as to how people are going to live.
• Firstly, this comes in the form of a debate as to what rules, or proscriptions, a society will live under. Laws are indispensable, and are the sine qua non of society.
• But this raises another issue, who is going to make the laws. And this becomes the central question of society. He who makes the laws exercises considerable power.
• When the answer is ‘the people’, then you have a state which can be defined as a ‘democracy’.
• This, however, is not the only way of designating who makes the laws
Aristotle’s Typology?
- who
- ways
• Aristotle theorised about how a society could designate who made laws.
States that there are many ways in which a society can allocate the power. All these different possibilities exist. Monarchy—rule by one | Democracy—rule by many | Oligarchy—rule by few/wealthy | Aristocracy—rule by the best | Theocracy—rule by god | Bureaucracy—rule by offices.
But this typology does not answer the fundamental question…
Aristotle’s Typology 2
-Two criteria for best political system
Proposed two criteria for deciding the best political system: -Who holds power; -and in whose interest do they exercise it.
Proposed aristocracy was the best form. Only this could bring about the best form of government—as the aristocracy were the most virtuous members of the community, and aristoi rule in the interests of everybody.
Aristotle shows hostility to democracy—rule by the hoi polloi, and had a prejudice against ‘rule by mob’ and did not see them able to exercise power. For him, it was a question of character.
Why do we choose Democracy as the best form of Rule?
- movements
- emerges
- contrast
The reasons change historically. Even when the reasons look the same, justifications change.
Two key historical moments: 5th-4th century BC Athens | 16th-19th century Europe. (Both praise democracy on the grounds that it secures freedom…but each has a different understanding of what freedom means)
But democracy doesn’t immediately form…it slowly emerges, institutions develop slowly. Slow discussions about the reappearance of democracy in the 19th century.
Contrast between how the ancients understand democracy and how we understand it: and this helps to de-familiarise it, and expresses its shortcomings. Important because we take it for granted and neglect considering about it.
Ancient and Modern Democracy
The Difference??
In very broad terms, the difference between these two forms is encapsulated by a direct form of democracy to a representative democracy…Rather than outsourcing political processes, Ancient democracy involves direct participation in the political process.
Ancient and Modern Democracy
So why the shift?
In the ancient world, there was a ‘city state’, with very small populations (250,000 in democracy), and only 50,000 meet qualification for citizenship and constitute political body (free male, 18+, Athenian born) (woman, slave, foreigner—excluded from the exclusive model of democracy). 10,000-25,000 people get together.
When you get to a modern state, it becomes impractical or impossible for direct representation. Representative democracy thus resolves the issue of ‘size’.
Some suggest this is merely a change of method: Greeks valued democracy because it allowed them to rule themselves—literally. If you did not have direct democracy, then the Greeks would not regard it as a democracy. A radical transformation has taken place…to the extent that in a sense democracy—the ancient sense of the word—does not exist today.
Ancient and Modern Democracy
Key Institutions of Athenian Democracy?
The Assembly (Ecclesia) –the sovereign body (nothing higher, or surpasses it, in terms of law making and power exercising); the final authority. The whole body gathered. Anybody entitled to address the assembly isoimonia??—equal speech, radical equality. Isoi—equal.
The Council (Boule)—Set/controlled the agenda for discussion, and dealt with implanting decisions of the assembly (the executive)…could exercise considerable power, and could undermine the assembly. The council of 500…chosen by random allocation. Athens split in 10 tribes, 50 people per tribe chosen…could only serve twice in lifetime in an attempt to spread power. Office of the president rotates everyday.
The People’s Courts (Heliaia)—No judicial class…no legal representation or legal argument. Self-representation…jury randomly chosen.
Ancient and Modern Democracy
Significance of Ancient Democracy?
Government by the people: in a very literal sense “we govern ourselves in our own person”.
• Participation was the key to this democracy
• Democracy put ordinary people in control of their own destiny
Autonomy v Heteronomy:
Why was this preferred? They valued it because it serves the cause of freedom…the idea that democracy secured autonomy.
• Autonomy—Self law. An absolutely crucial idea if you wanted to be free, because you were never subjected if following your own rules. You cannot enslave yourself. Prescribing laws to yourself.
• In opposition is heteronomy, which is rule by the other, which means you cannot have liberty or be free.
Ancient and Modern Democracy
Key Institutions of Modern Democracy?
The Legislative | The Executive | The Judiciary
Ancient and Modern Democracy
Key Institutions of Modern Democracy
-A False Resemblance? What is the purpose of institutional structures?
Ancients: to allow the people to exercise power
Moderns: to protect people from the abuse of power
- What is different? Popular sovereignty | Lack of participation of the community | Jury the last instance of direct participation in democracy | We have a bureaucracy nowadays
- Modern democracy is based more on the idea of liberty, and representative government. Therefore, the modern notion of democracy is more centred on the need for checks and balances.
Ancient and Modern Democracy
Key Institutions of Modern Democracy
Checks and Balances?
Checks and Balances
The doctrine of the separation of powers—structure the apparatus in such a way that it self-monitors, so that the state keeps a check upon itself; restricting arms of acting outside their authority.
Elections—A further extension of this protective mechanism (THE INFLUENCE OF LIBERALISM ON MODERN DEMOCRACY)
• Athenians would not have thought of checks and balances as there was no need for them
Ancient and Modern Democracy
Discontinuities in Democracy?
Ancient Democracy: People and the state are the one thing/same thing; the state only exists insofar as the citizens
Modern Democracy: The people are removed from the state, theoretically and practically (representatives, offices, bureaucrats).
Ancient Democracy: The people govern, and are empowered to provide direct representation.
Modern Democracy: The people authorise the government, which empowers them only insofar as they are able to ‘choose’ who represents them.
Ancient Democracy: Way of life
Modern Democracy: A system of government
Ancient: freedom by participation
Modern: freedom by protection from arbitrary interference
Representative Democracy
This is a new way of conceiving the relationship between government and the people: fiduciary relationship. A relationship of trust: the people hold power based on trust, as they are mandated. If they breach trust, power reverts to the people and the government is dismissed.
