Democracy Through Time Notes

Democracy Through Time

What is democracy?

Democracy is a form of government where the supreme power is vested in the people. This power can be exercised directly by the people or through elected representatives using a free electoral system. Examples of democratic states include Norway, Iceland, the United States, and Canada. Democracy also implies a state of society with formal equality of rights and privileges, political or social equality, and the common people having a share of political power, such as decision-making in government.

Separation of Power

A crucial feature supporting democratic governance is the separation of powers into three branches:

• Legislature

  The legislative body of a country or state. There were multiple legislative bodies contained in the government of the Roman Republic, such as the Plebeian Council, the Tribal Assembly, and the Comitia Centuriata, or the Centuriate Assembly.

• Judiciary

  The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets, defends, and applies the law in the name of the state.

• Executive

Early Roman Republic

The politics of the early Roman Republic involved:

• Senate: A legislative body consisting of 300 Patricians.

• Consuls: Two consuls, always patricians, ruled and were elected each year by the Centuriate Assembly.

• Tribunes: Represented the Plebeians after they fought for representation; Tribunes of the Plebs were included in the Senate.

• Assembly: Elected by the plebeians, contributing to Bicameralism.

Only patricians could serve as senators or consuls.

The Roman Republic evolved through stages:

1. Senate, comprising 300 patricians.

2. Two tribunes added.

3. Assembly introduced, establishing bicameralism.

In the Roman Republic, different groups had specific roles:

• Citizens: Patricians (men who owned large amounts of land) and Plebeians (peasant farmers and craftsmen).

• Assembly: Where these groups met and voted.

• Two Consuls: Governed the city, elected for one-year terms, and required mutual agreement for decisions.

• Magistrates: Managed Rome's finances and served as judges.

• Tribunes: Protected ordinary people from unfair treatment.

• Senate: Composed of retired magistrates who advised the Consuls and eventually controlled Rome.

• Slaves: Not considered citizens.

Discussion: Democratic Nature of the Roman Republic

How democratic was the Roman Republic in practice, considering the limitations and power dynamics?

Athenian Democracy

Athens initiated democracy as early as 500 BC, characterised by direct democracy where citizens directly voted on various issues. Democratic organisations established in Athens after several reforms included:

• Citizens' Assembly (the supreme legislative body)

• Council of Five Hundred

Citizens' Assembly and Council of Five Hundred

Map of Athens detailing Erechtheis, League, Boetian, Territories, Free Cities, Aigeis, Pandionis, Leontis, Akamantis, Oineis, Kekropis, Hippothontis, Aiantis, Antiochis

The United States

The United States operates under a democratic system with distinct branches of government. The legislative branch is the Congress which consists of the House of Representatives ($435$ members) and Senate ($100$ members). The executive branch is led by the President and Vice President, assisted by the Cabinet. The judicial branch comprises the Federal Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Branches:

• Legislative:

  • House of Representatives (435 members)

  • Senate (100 members) = US Congress

• Executive:

  • Leader: President, Vice President, assisted by the Cabinet

• Judicial:

  • Federal Courts

  • US Supreme Court

Responsibilities:

• Legislative:

  • Making Laws

  • Approving Federal Judges and Justices

  • Passing National Budget

  • Declaring War

• Executive:

  • Commanding US army

  • Communicating with other nations

  • National Security

  • Treasury

  • Law enforcing

  • Cabinet

• Judicial:

  • Interpreting Laws and determining punishment

Balance of Power (Checks and Balances)

• The President can veto legislation created by Congress and nominates heads of federal agencies.

• Congress confirms or rejects the President's nominees and can remove the President from office in exceptional circumstances.

• The Justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Conclusion

Athenian democracy served as a foundation (legacy) for future democracies, such as the US. While all systems may have flaws, perfection may be unattainable.