Module 9 Democracy and Non-Democratic Systems | June 3-5

Direct democracy

political system in which citizens are directly involved in the decision-making process

Representative democracy

political system in which voters elect others to act on their behalf; also called indirect democracy

Athenian Democracy

Direct democracy, which can be traced back to the ancient Athenians. In direct democracy the people vote on every law, policy and decision, as opposed to having representatives do this for them.

American Revolution

The American colonists demanded greater representation, particularly representation in the British parliament, if they were going to be taxed. The British government denied them this, arguing that parliament represented the interests of all British subjects, whether they were colonists or living in the British Isles. 

The tension and resentment continued to build and cumulated in the American Revolution. The American War of Independence or American Revolution, saw the colonists attempt to establish their independence.

French Revolution

The French Revolution was a transformative period that began in 1789 when the Third Estate, representing the common people, took control of the government from King Louis XVI. This revolution dismantled the feudal system, leading to a significant transfer of land from the aristocracy to the peasants without compensation. It established the principle that all French citizens were equal and that they, rather than the monarchy, represented the state. The revolution also introduced the concept of representative democracy, where citizens elected their leaders. Despite its initial democratic ideals, the revolution eventually led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who spread democratic ideas across Europe through his conquests. 

Liberal democracy

political system based on freedom and the principle that governance requires the assent of all citizens through participation in the electoral process, articulation of views, and direct or indirect representation in governing institutions

Conservative Democracy

Generally, conservative democracy comes in two forms. 

The first, is the type of democracy that existed in Great Britain in the 18th and 19th century. It is the belief that people are flawed and therefore no one person can be trusted to have too much power. The government must be checked and democracy is an excellent way of doing so. The people vote or representatives and these representatives attempt to act in the best interests of the people, since they cannot be trusted to make the best decisions for themselves. 

The other type of conservative democracy has many similarities with totalitarianism.  It is the belief that the people cannot be trusted with power but elections are necessary to get the people on board with the government’s agenda.  During these elections, the government actively intervenes to promote itself and attacks the opposition.  These elections are almost n ever free and rarely acknowledged by other nations as fully democratic.  The leaders of these nations stay in power and rule as though they are dictators even though they must occasionally go through the motions of having a election.  

Socialist Democracy

The socialist democratic equation: one person, one vote = equal influence on the government. 

People’s Democracy

People’s Democracy is the communist version of democracy. In the Marxist-Leninist communist system, the government is controlled by the party and the party is made up of the people. The people do not elect the party members directly (how the party members become members varies from state to state) but within the party itself, there are elections to decide who is the leader and who is in the party leadership.

Absolute Monarchy

Absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the sovereign is the sole source of political power, unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures or other checks on their authority.

Totalitarianism

authoritarian political system that not only controls most social interaction but is also marked by a government's desire to force its objectives and values on citizens in an unlimited manner

Dictatorships

A dictatorship is a form of government which is characterized by a leader, or a group of leaders, who hold governmental powers with few to no limitations. Politics in a dictatorship are controlled by a dictator, and they are facilitated through an inner circle of elites that includes advisers, generals, and other high-ranking officials.

Begaye – Modern Democracy: The Complexities Behind Appropriating Indigenous Models of Governance and Implementation

Summary

Begaye critiques the tendency of modern democratic states to selectively borrow Indigenous governance principles without fully understanding their cultural, historical, and political contexts. He argues that Indigenous governance systems are sophisticated political systems that should be respected on their own terms rather than treated as tools for improving Western democracies.

Begaye – Modern Democracy: The Complexities Behind Appropriating Indigenous Models of Governance and Implementation Main Argument

Indigenous governance models should not be appropriated or simplified; they must be understood within their own cultural and historical contexts.

What is Begaye's main argument?

Indigenous governance systems should be respected as distinct political systems, not appropriated by Western democracies.

What is meant by appropriation in this context?

Taking Indigenous governance ideas without fully understanding or respecting their origins.

Why is Indigenous governance unique?

It is rooted in specific cultural traditions, relationships, and histories.

What concern does Begaye raise about modern democracies?

They often adopt Indigenous concepts superficially while ignoring Indigenous sovereignty.

What broader issue does the article address?

The relationship between Indigenous self-determination and modern democratic institutions.

Foa & Mounk – The Democratic Disconnect Summary

Foa and Mounk argue that support for democracy is weakening in many established democracies. Using survey data, they show that younger generations are less committed to democratic values, less engaged in politics, and more open to authoritarian alternatives than previous generations.

Foa & Mounk – The Democratic Disconnect Main Argument

Democracy is becoming "deconsolidated" because citizens are losing faith in democratic institutions and becoming more receptive to non-democratic alternatives.

What is the main argument of The Democratic Disconnect?

Support for democracy is declining, especially among younger generations.

What is democratic deconsolidation?

The weakening of public commitment to democratic institutions and values.

What evidence do the authors use?

World Values Survey data from North America and Europe.

How are millennials different from older generations?

They show lower support for democracy and greater openness to authoritarian alternatives.

Why is democratic deconsolidation concerning?

It increases the possibility of democratic instability or breakdown.

What is one sign of democratic deconsolidation?

Declining trust in political institutions.

What do the authors warn political scientists about?

Not assuming established democracies are permanently stable.