To what extent are Liberals united in their view of democracy

Introduction

• Define democracy in a liberal context

• Broad unity: democracy is the best system to protect liberty and legitimacy

• Division: How far democracy should go (limited vs enabling state)

• Judgement: Mostly united on principles, divided on scope

Paragraph 1- AGREE liberals are united that democracy is based on consent and representation

Point:

• Liberals broadly agree democracy should be representative and based on consent

Explain:

• Democracy gives government legitimacy because authority comes from the people.

• Representation helps make democracy stable and workable (filters demands through institutions).

• Regular elections allow peaceful removal of leaders and prevent arbitrary rule

Evidence/Examples:

• Locke: Social contract theory: government authority derives from the consent of the governed; legitimacy depends on trust and conditional obedience.

Analysis:

This shows liberal unity that democracy is a procedural mechanism (refers to a formal process or institution designed to ensure fairness, protect individual rights, and provide legitimacy to government decisions) for legitimate government, rather than continuous direct participation, linking liberty with structure consent. Reflecting Mills theory of representative government, where democracy is valued not for constant participation but for accountability etc.

Evaluation:

However, Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness Democracy is legitimate not just because people consent, but because political decisions can be justified to all citizens as fair.

Paragraph 2- AGREE Liberals are united that democracy must be inclusive and rights based.

Point:

• Liberals are united in the view that democracy must be inclusive and protect equal rights, as exclusion undermine legitimacy and liberty.

Explain:

• Democracy requires political equality to be meaningful.

• Excluding groups from participation contradicts liberal commitments to individual rights.

• Political inclusion strengthens democratic legitimacy.

Evidence:

• Mary Wollstonecraft: argued that denying women political rights is irrational and unjust; democracy must include women to be legitimate and consistent with liberal principles.

Analysis:

• This idea is reinforced by J. S. Mill, who supported female suffrage and argued that broader participation improves decision-making and prevents entrenched power inequalities.

Evaluation:

• Liberals are not fully united on whether democracy must be inclusive.

• Modern liberals stress equal political rights and participation.

• Classical liberals prioritise toleration and limits on power over mass inclusion.

• Fear that wider participation may lead to majority tyranny.

Paragraph 3- DISAGREE Liberals are divided due to the paradox of democracy

Point:

• Liberals are not united on how far democracy should extend beyond choosing governments

Explain:

• Historically, liberals have been skeptical of democracy, fearing that unchecked majority rule could lead to mob rule and undermine individual rights. This concern is known as the paradox of democracy, where the will of the majority may override the freedoms of minorities, resulting in a form of tyranny.

Evidence:

• John Stuart Mill developed the idea of the tyranny of the majority, arguing that democratic majorities can restrict individual freedom just as much as authoritarian rulers

Analysis:

This explains why liberals emphasise institutional constraints on democracy, viewing it as acceptable only when limited by strong political structures.

• Montesquieu supports this through his theory of checks and balances, arguing that liberty is best preserved when power is divided and restrained.

Evaluation:

However, modern liberals argue that democracy can protect minorities if it is embedded within a strong constitutional framework.

• John Rawls supports this view, claiming that democratic decisions are legitimate only when they respect basic liberties and can be justified to all citizens, suggesting that democracy need not undermine minority rights if properly constrained.

Conclusion

• liberals are largely united in supporting liberal democracy based on consent, representation, and constitutional limits.

• They agree democracy is valuable only when it protects individual liberty and minority rights.

• However, unity is limited by disagreements over:

  • how inclusive democracy should be

  • how far democracy should extend beyond choosing governments

• Classical liberals stress toleration and limits on power, while modern liberals accept a more expansive, rights-protecting democracy.

• Overall judgement: liberals are united on the framework of democracy, but divided on its scope and priorities