Theory of Democracy
1. Old idea (from Aristotle)
Not really practiced much in 2,000
years
2. Aristotle's idea of "participatory democracy" was
revised into "representative democracy"
for large populations.
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Meaningful elections to elect representatives
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universal (or near universal) adult suffrage (no property
or gender constraints)
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multiple candidates
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meaningful political parties
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No violence at polling places (bombs, shootings)
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honest counting of votes
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examples of a "flawed" election (Belarus,
2006) (Zimbabwe,
2008)
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Political freedom
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freedom of associations, freedom to form real political parties
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freedom of press
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Sometimes difficult to gauge (Thailand,
2006)
3. Expansion of democracy
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late 1700's: United States
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1800's: Great Britain, France, Scandinavia
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1930's: tried and failed in Germany, Italy
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1950's: Germany, Italy, Japan, India
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1960's: Greece
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1970's: Spain, Portugal
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1980's: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc.
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1990's: East Europe, Russia, Africa?
Note: Democracy has been attempted and failed in many
cases:
Germany, Italy - (1 false start)
Argentina, Turkey, Nigeria, Ghana
(democracy overturned 3-4 times)
4. Core ideas of Democracy:
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Social Contract (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau)
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People make their own government
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write a constitution
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select a leader
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remove their leader
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The government does not come from God, is not imposed by
force
5. Why do people obey a democratic government?
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avoid chaos
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obtain public goods
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it's their own government
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coercion is in the background (don't speed, pay taxes, etc.)
6. Why do kings and dictators allow democracy?
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Repression is risky, repressors can loose and be killed
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Old elite can profit from a stable society
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Leaders can strengthen their power if they are elected
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Compromises can enable elites to retain power and status
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limitations on suffrage (voting), gradual expansion. Note
Saudi Arabia
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retain monarchy as head of state
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two houses, with elites controlling one
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educated elite in bureaucracy
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