PS 100 Exam 1 pt.B2 Liberal Democracy

Political ideology

the beliefs and practices that guide political actors (could be citizens) in political communities

Liberal Democracy

a constitutional government characterized by popular rule, protection of basic rights, and political and economic competition - combines two sets of ideas about government (democracy and classic liberalism)

Main Ideas of classic liberalism

• limits on government

• constitutionalism

• protection of basic individual rights - armor against the actions of the government

• free choice in politics and the market place

Main Ideas of democracy

• rule by the people

• the people decide the affairs of political community

• government by the many

• political equality among individuals

Ideas have more emphasis on the people, and their role in government. In classic liberalism, emphasis is on limiting the absolute authority of government.

Features of liberal democracy in the US

1. Constitutional government

2. Rights-respecting government

3. Popular government

4. Representative government

5. Responsible government

6. General welfare government

Constitutional government

a government limited by rules - constitution determines what a government can do, welfare of society, protect free speech…, outlines relations between government branches

Rights-respecting government

basic rights of individuals are protected:

1. Political rights

2. Religious, cultural and economic rights

Popular government

people make political decisions

Representative government

people govern through representatives - make decisions on behalf of the people in two possible ways:

1. as a delegate: expected to do exactly what they promised

2. as a trustee: fulfill their role if they go in the general direction of what they promised

Responsible government

government is responsible to (held accountable by):

1. the people

2. political parties

General welfare government

the government tends to the citizen’s minimal needs - safety, income, health, housing, education, etc. (controversial)

Features of modern American liberals

• willing to employ government power for political, social, and economic ends

• government responsible to disadvantaged societal groups

• open to big and sudden changes in society

• progressive values: more secular

Features of modern American conservatives

• market mechanism serves political, social, and economic ends

• government guarantees equality of opportunity for disadvantaged individuals

• preferences for slow societal change or maintenance of status quo

• traditional and religious values

Nationalism and liberal democracy

• liberal democracy developed in modern nation-states

• nationalism - development of distinct national identity

• liberal democratic ideas sparked movements of national self-determination

• people of the same nation decide own affairs

Capitalism and liberal democracy

• liberal democracy developed alongside capitalism - both agree on need for limits on government activity

• both agree/recognize the importance of the middle class

• but the two can be at odds when

Frederick Douglass main criticism of American democracy

American democracy does not correctly implement the priorities of liberal democracy - by denying African Americans the basic rights and political equality others are granted