Theories of Democracy JYOTI Assistant Professor Department of Political Science PGGC-11 Chandigarh

The Classical Liberal Theory of Democracy Salient features: Sovereignty lies with the people Belief in the rationality of man Representative government Universal adult franchise Government based on people’s consent people’s participation Rights and civil liberties Equality Limited and constitutional government Common good of the people

Rule of law Independent and impartial judiciary Open competition for political power Independent mass media Periodic elections Separation of powers Decentralization of power Accountability of executive Rule of majority Peaceful means Pluralist society

Criticism The concept of popular sovereignty is vague and confusing Too much faith in the rationality of man It is difficult to define common good Political equality is a myth Open participation in politics changes democracy into mobocracy Public opinion is controlled by government

Right to resist government creates instability in political system No solution to the problems of society divided into classes Criticism by behaviouralists Criticism by marxists

The Elitist Theory of Democracy Main features: Two classes in society – elite and masses Superior qualities of elite Plurality of elites Accessibility to elites of non-elites Competition among elites Iron law of oligarchy Importance of leadership Accountability of elite towards masses

Criticism Elite theory is incompatible with democracy This theory does not attach any importance to ideals and values This theory attaches too much importance to leaders This theory is conseravative

Marxists or Socialist Theory of Democracy We shall analyse it by studying it in three parts: Criticism of Bourgeoisie Democracy Dictatorship of Proletariat or socialist Democracy Stateless Society or Democracy in Communism

Criticism of Bourgeoisie Democracy Bourgeoisie democracy divides society into two halves There is exploitation of workers in Bourgeoisie democracy Bourgeoisie democracy is the rule of minority Bourgeoisie democracy is a democracy of the rich Bourgeoisie democracy is sham democracy Marxists believe in the limited value of Bourgeoisie democracy

Dictatorship of Proletariat or socialist Democracy The idea of Dictatorship of Proletariat occupies an important place in Marxist theory of Democracy and in fact in the entire concept of Marxism. Then conflict between the capitalists and the workers can be ended through violent bloody revolution which must end up finally in the establishment of dictatorship of Proletariat. According to marx, the dictatorship of Proletariat is a transitory stage in between Capitalism and Socialism.

Characterisitics The Dictatorship of Proletariat is a real democracy The aim of Dictatorship of Proletariat is to eliminate capitalists and their agents There will be only one party during the Dictatorship of Proletariat Nature of economic system under Dictatorship of Proletariat Nature of political and social system under Dictatorship of Proletariat The Dictatorship of Proletariat is a transitory stage.

Criticism It is not a clear and definite theory The Dictatorship of Proletariat is dangerous Too many restrictions on rights and freedom The State is not an instrument of repression and exploitation The Dictatorship of Proletariat is actually a dictatorship upon proletariat The State has not withered away

Elections are a mere show in socialist democracies Judiciary is not independent No decentralization of powers Government interference in private affairs