liberal democracy

political ideology

the beliefs and practices that guide political actors in political communities

ideology examples

liberal democracy, marxism, social democracy, authoritarianism

liberal democracy

a constitutional government characterized by popular rule, protection of basic rights, and political and economic competition

classic liberalism

main idea: limited government that’s limited by rules

government authority is not absolute

constitutionalism

protection of basic individual rights

free choice in politics and the marketplace

democratic ideas

rule by the people

the people decide the affairs of the political community

government by the many

political equity among individuals

liberal democracy features

constitutional government

rights-respecting government

popular government

representative government

responsible government

general welfare government

constitutional government (liberalism)

government limited by rules

a constitution: determines what the government can and cannot do

outlines relationships between branches of government

rights-respecting government (liberalism)

basic rights of individuals are protected

political rights- rights with a direct relation to politics

religious, cultural and economic rights- indirect relation to politics

popular government (democracy)

people make the political decisions

universal right to vote (suffrage)

civil liberties (certain rights)

precondition: for this to work, there needs to be an informed and vigilant public opinion

representative government (democracy)

john stuart mill favored this one

people govern through representatives

direct democracy is unfeasible in modern nation-states (we all vote instead)

representative as a delegate

doing exactly what they promised to do before elected

representative as a trustee

someone whose views align with yours that can take liberty with tasks

responsible government (democracy)

government is responsible to the people

government is responsible to political parties

representatives must pay attention to the constitution and laws