What is Democracy?

representative democracy

"rule by the people" people have political power and are involved in decision-making people decide on major issues, but delegate to representatives selected by them if expectations are not met, also have the power to change reps

separation of powers

3 main governmental powers that are autonomous but accountable includes checks and balances

consensus democracy

a democratic system with multiparty executives in a coalition government executive-legislative balance bicameral legislatures rigid constitutions not easily amended

majoritarian democracy

a type of democratic system that concentrates power relatively tightly in a single-party executive executive dominance over the legislature single legislative branch constitutions that can be easily amended

maximalist democracy

conceptualized by Held; includes minimalist and more incorporates good governance explores more in-depth the impacts and processes of day-to-day democracy citizen engagement in practice, is more of a long-term process

minimalist democracy

conceptualized by Schumpeter free and fair elections democratic institutions=separation of powers citizens give teams of political leaders the right to rule in periodic elections citizens cannot and should not rule because most of the time they have no clear views/views are not well-founded when practically applied, is a temporary view

inclusion

enfranchisement for all adults

applied advocacy democracy

general expression of positive desire for action involves a proxy to apply pressure for a very specific cause-distinct from a lobby interact directly with the government participate directly in policy making extension of legal rights according to social movements/groups leads to new legislation, demonstrations

political equity

government should provide channels for citizen engagement equally and effectively ex: petitions, direct access to representatives, public debates

what are Dahl's 5 criteria for a genuine democracy?

inclusion political equity enlightened understanding control of agenda effective participation

basic civil/human rights

key missing element in emergent democracies responsibility of the government

control of agenda

manner of citizens prioritizing their own government not a continuous process in a minimalist democracy

applied representative democracy

more electoral choices pluralism, parties, interest groups accountability throughout the electoral mandate

unmediated participation

plus of direct and advocacy democracy demands institutional reforms and public involvement of all citizens

good governance

running of the state day by day includes executing of governing as well as the processes of said execution being transparent and fair

what are the 5 points of the theory of modern democracy?

separation of powers basic civil/human rights religious freedom/tolerance "one person, one vote" good governance

enlightened understanding

toughest, most-debated criteria citizens should be able to consider different views and ideas before making an educated decision how decisions will affect them on many levels, consequences, alternatives

applied direct democracy

unmediated participation: initiatives and referenda (most common), citizens' jury, deliberative democracy allows citizens to directly impact government proceedings without relying on representatives political impact of these measures is limited