Political Challenges Study: The Challenge of Checking Power | Quizlet

What is democracy?

A political system where the power resides with the people

3 Faces of power

1. Decision making

2. Agenda settings

3. Thought control

What is power?

The ability to achieve a desired outcome, to make others do what they would otherwise not

Tyranny of the majority

This is when early democracy in ancient Greece was considered the 'rule of the mob'

Hobbes (1651) on the social contract

'The Leviathan' describes society as a physical phenomenon, need to give part of individual freedom to the state in a contract

Locke (1689) on the social contract

Two Treatises of Government, state is important but natural rights can always be reclaimed by individuals

Rousseau (1792) on the social contract

Revolutionary ideas about freedom, equality, fraternity and popular sovereignty

The Glorious Revolution

- 1649 King Charles I executed

- Oliver Cromwell's military dictatorship

- 1688 alliance of noble and non-noble elites brings on a new British monarch (William III of Orange)

- 1689 Bill of Rights, basis of a constitutional monarchy

William III of Orange

- Accepted restrictions on royal authority

- Elites agree to allow systematic taxation of their wealth

2 main effects of the French Revolution

1. End of absolute monarchy in France & beyond

2. Class privilege replaced with the Enlightenment ideas of equal rights

Gradual limitation of power

- Since 13th century, slow process of making rulers accept a constitution limits their power

- Argument that there is a natural law that there should be a balance of power between the govt. and tax paying subjects

- Growing rejection of absolute power

2 main ideas of utilitarianism

1. Decisions should serve the common good, elections ensure preferences of the people are taken into account

2. The 'Greatest Happiness Principle' maximise satisfaction over suffering, making rulers accountable to those they govern

What is bounded uncertainty

The future of elections being unknown, whoever gets elected will govern according to the rules of the 'democratic game'

6 key components of democracy

1. Participation

2. Equality

3. Competition

4. Separation of power and accountability

5. Freedom, individual rights and liberties

6. Rule of Law

Narrow definition of democracy

Electoral/minimalist democracy, focus is on the means of democracy, emphasises democratic institutions and procedures

Broad definition of democracy

Full/liberal democracy, focus is on the goals of democracy, emphasises democratic ideas and values

Ideas and values of a full/liberal democracy

1. Meaningful participation, choice and debate

2. Civil liberties and individual rights

3. Freedom of expression, presence of alternative sources of information

4. Rule of Law

5. Civil Society

6. Free economy

7. Checks on the government

(Garner) 2 special features of democracy

1. The right to participate in the democratic process

2. We all consent to the democratic process through voting

Direct democracy

- Decisions are taken by the entire electorate through direct participation

- May also be called 'classic' or 'participatory'

- A renewed relevance of this type of democracy

Representative democracy

- Decisions are taken by elected officials who represent the electorate

2 versions of a representative democracy

1. Pluralist

2. Elitist

Pluralist Democracy (branch of representative democracy)

- Society is composed of groups with competing interest, the state mediates between these groups, power is fragmented and one group may not be as influential as the other

- Also known as 'Polyarchy'

Elitist democracy

- Democracy and elites can coexist (mass participation is unrealistic and the people want elites to take care of politics)

- The masses are irrational, manipulable and have authoritarian values

- Democratic because the elites seek to provide maximum benefit for their voters

Advantages of direct democracy in modern states

- More participation encourages political interest and engagement

- Decisions reflect the will of the people

- Improved accountability for politicians, therefore power is closer to the people

Disadvantages of direct democracy in modern states

- Risk of uninformed decisions

- Tyranny of the majority, minority rights may be ignored

- Inefficiency, slow to make decisions in crises

Roman republic timeline

509 BC - 31 BC

Roman Republic

An oligarchic republic ruled by two 'consuls', chosen from the 'patricians' (aristocracy, land-owners), patricians assembled in a Senate which was the republic's governing body

Philosophers who discussed the social contract

1. Hobbes (1651)

2. Locke (1689)

3. Rousseau (1792)

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