Global Politics exam #2

Democracy

A political system where citizens have the power to choose leaders and influence decisions, usually through free and fair elections.
Example: The United States holds regular elections where citizens vote for presidents and lawmakers.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that power comes from the people, not rulers.
Example: During the French Revolution, people rejected the king’s “divine right” and demanded political power.

Universal vs. culturally specific democracy:

• Universal: Democracy should work the same everywhere (free elections, rights).

• Culturally specific: Democracy must adapt to local traditions.
  Example: Some argue Western-style democracy doesn’t fully fit all societies.

Nationalism

Loyalty and pride in one’s nation, often tied to shared culture/language.
Example: Nationalism helped unify people during revolutions (France, independence movements)

Global citizenship:

Seeing yourself as part of the world, not just one country.
Example: Supporting climate agreements across countries.

Democratic tensions: Majority rule vs. minority rights:

Majority decides, but minorities must still be protected.
Example: Laws passed by majority cannot violate basic rights (like freedom of speech).

Democratic tensions: Populism

Political approach claiming to represent “the people” against elites.
Can help: Gives voice to ignored groups
Can harm: Leaders may weaken institutions (courts, media)

Democratic tensions: Liberty vs equality

• Liberty: Freedom (ex: spend money on campaigns)

• Equality: Fairness (limit money so all voices are equal)
  Example: Campaign finance laws try to balance both.

Parlementary system

Executive comes from legislature.
Example: United Kingdom — Prime Minister is part of Parliament.

Presedential system

Separate executive and legislature.
Example: United States — President and Congress are separate.

Procedural Democracy

focous on elections and rules

Substantive democracy

Focus on real outcomes (rights, equality).
Example: A country may hold elections but still limit freedoms → procedural but not substantive.

Direct democracy

Citizens vote directly on laws.
Example: State ballot initiatives.

Representative democracy

Citizens elect officials.
Example: Congress making laws.

Federal vs unitary

Federal: Power shared (U.S.)

Unitary: Centralized power (France)

Elites Vs. Mases

Debate over whether wealthy/powerful dominate politics. Do the wealthy have to much power? (Liberty Vs. Equality)

Middle class

seen as a key to stability because it reduces extremes of wealth/poverty

Safe seats

Districts where one party almost always wins → less competition, often created through gerrymandering. But can lead to incumbents becoming more polarized to please their party

Propotional representation (PR)

seats match vote percentages. Encourages a multi-party system, encourages compromise, but can make passing laws harder due to having more parties

Single member districs

One winner per district, whoever gets the most votes wins. But not proportional (less fair) and tends to produce etwo party systems

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts to favor a party.

Example: Party draws oddly shaped districts to win more seats than votes

Voting systems primaries

choose party candidates

closed (members only), open (anyone), multi-party (many parties)

Ranked-choice voting (RCV)

Rank candidates; lowest eliminated until winner, prevents “wasting” votes and encourages moderate candidates

Runoff elections

if not one gets the majority the top two compete again

Representation issues

U.S senete (small states = power) the electoral college, residents of D.C and Puerto rico lack full representation

Campaign financing

money influences elections - wealthier candidates/groups have more influence

Compulsory voting

Required voting like Australia. Higher turnout

Judicial independence

Seperation of power, courts are free from political control. Examples: U.S. is generally strong but India is debated

Civilian control of military

Military follows elected civilian leaders. Egypt and thailand

Gridlock

Government cannot pass laws due to conflict and polarization, no one wants to compromise

Coalition governments

multiple parties share power, common in parliamentary systems and countries with proportional representation (PR)

India: Is it fully democratic?

Pros: It has regular elections and large voter participation

Cons: limits on press freedom, treatment of minorities, pressure on judicial courts

Modernization theory

The idea that as countries become wealthier (industrialization, education, urbanization), they are more likely to become democratic. this is due to growth, education, more political awareness so people demand rights- south Korea

Modernization theory and china

Huge economic growth but still authoritarian (one-party rule). Shows that economic development does not always lead to democracy. The government controls media, limits opposition, and adapts to stay in power.

how does economic development lead to democracy

• Wealth → people less dependent on government

• Education → more political awareness

• Middle class → demands accountability

• Urbanization → easier to organize protests

• BUT: Can also cause instability if expectations rise too fastDemo

Democratic peace theory

• Democracies are less likely to go to war with each other

• Example: U.S. and Western Europe don’t fight each other

• Reason: Shared norms, accountability to voters, economic ties

Arab spring (2011) vs 1989

Protests across middle east (Tunisia, Egypt, syria) the goal was democracy but got mixed results. In 1989 (fall of communism) eastern europ transitions with mosty successful democracies.

Islam and Democracy

• Islam is NOT incompatible with democracy

• Examples:

  • Indonesia (democracy)

  • Tunisia (partial success)

• Debate: Religion vs. political institutions matters more

Ethnic Conflict & Democratization

Ethnic divisions can make democracy harder. Coincient cleavages: Divisions overlap (religion + ethnicity + class) → more conflict

Top three countries with the rise of Authoritarinaism

Russia, Turkey, Venezuela (backsliding into authoritarianism)

Centralization of Power

Leaders concentrate power and weaken checks.

• Courts

• Media

• Opposition parties

• Example: Leaders extending term limits or controlling courts

Reasource Curse

• Countries rich in natural resources tend to be less democratic

• Examples:

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Russia

• Why? Governments rely on oil money, not taxes → less accountability

Demonstration (snowball) effect

One country’s revolution inspites others. (1989 revolutions across europe and arab spring spread across Middle East)

Brexit & Trump

Push for national sovereignty vs. global cooperation

Global Governance Vs. Democracy

Global institutions (UN, EU) may limit national democracy but they help solve global problems

Political Culture

Peoples beliefs about government- Strong belief in democracy results in a stable system

1989 & end of cold war

Collapse of communism- Spread of democracy

Seen as a “triumph of democracy”

Russia’s failure to democratize

Boris Yeltsin → Vladimir Putin. Shift from weak democracy to strong authoritarian rule “Putin’s Revenge”

Color Revolutions (2003-2005)

Denocratic protests in Ukraine and Georgia. Goal for fair elections and democracy

Belarus

has ongoing protests against authoritarian government

Election Meddling

Foreign interference in elections. Ex. Russia influencing U.S. elections

Coups Vs. Revolutions

Elite/military takeover (top-down)

Mass uprising (bottom-up)

Misinformation & Disinformation

False info spread unintentionally

Deliberate lies

Gender Inequality

Unequal power between men and women → less democratic

Capitalism & Marxist Critique

Free market economy

Economic inequality undermines democracy
Example: Wealthy have more political influence

Responsiveness & Accountability

• Government responds to citizens

• Leaders can be punished (elections, courts)

Corruption

Abuse of Power for personal Gain, Reduces trust and weakens democracy.

What are 5 U.S Mechanisms to Decentralize Power (IMPORTANT)

• Separation of powers: Branches check each other

• Bicameral legislature: House + Senate

• Federalism: Power shared with states

• Electoral College: Indirect election of president

• Single-member districts: One representative per district

Free Press & speech

Media can criticize government, citizens can express ideas

essential for democracy

Democtatizing Global Governance

• Question: Can democracy exist beyond nation-states?

• Problem: Global institutions are not directly elected

• Debate: Should global decision-making be more democratic?