What is Democracy?

The best form of government but why? Because…

Lack of consensus on the meaning of Democracy! Schumpeter (minimalist approach): a political system in which the principal positions of power are filled “through a competitive struggle for the people’s vote”

Lack of consensus on the meaning of Democracy! Dahl (polarchy): Democracy requires not only free, fair, and competitive elections BUT also the freedoms (such as freedom of organization and freedom of expression), alternative sources of information, institutions to ensure that government policies depend on the votes and preferences of citizens.

Different types of Democracy Liberal Democracy Electoral Democracy Hybrid Regimes (Pseudodemocracy)

Liberal (democracy) Liberal: A political system in which individual and group liberties are protected and in which there are autonomous spheres of civil society and private life that are protected from the state control. SO only elections are not enough for democracy!

Liberal Democracy In addition to the elections, there is a need for: - absence of other actors not accountable to the electorate - both vertical and horizontal accountability - political and civic pluralism as well individual and group freedoms - rule of law - the military is subordinate to civilians - minority groups should have right to express themselves - independent judiciary - citizens having multiple channels for expressing and representing their interests and values - alternative sources of information

Electoral Democracy Is a civilian, constitutional system in which the legislative and main executive offices are filled through regular, competitive, multi- party elections.

Questions on elections? What constitutes “fair, honest, and free” elections? How can we know that parties have a fair chance to campaign? How can we know that that voters around the country have been able to exercise their will freely? How can we know that the reported results accurately reflect the votes? And how do we know that the officials elected are really the “most powerful decision makers?” and How do we know that that there are not military, bureaucratic, or oligarchical powers?

Elections are free when No legal barriers to entry to the political arena Freedom for both candidates and supporters to get votes Voters experience no coercion Administered by a neutral authority Electoral administration does not involve in fraud (independent monitoring of vote counting) Police, military and courts are impartial Access to public media Electoral rules do not disadvantage the opposition Clear and impartial rules to solve the complaints

Hybrid regimes Those regimes that combine democratic and authoritarian elements Pseudodemocracy (electoral authoritarianism or hybrid regimes): Regimes where there are formal democratic institutions such as elections but they just mask the reality of authoritarianism.

Pseudodemocracy Elections mask the reality of authoritarian domination Lacks arena of contestation which is open, free, and fair Opposition needs to mobilization, unity, and skill to get the votes Requires international observation to prevent manipulations in elections

Pseudodemocracy (electoral authoritarianism or hybrid regimes) Competitive Authoritarian Uncompetitive or Hegemonic Authoritarian ruling party uses coercion, patronage*, media control and other things to prevent legal opposition parties to compete for power * the use of state resources to reward individuals for their electoral support

Some features of competitive authoritarianism Electoral Arena (large-scale abuses of election results, limited media coverage, harassment of opposition candidates and activists) Legislative arena (parliament is weak) Judicial arena (governments subordinating the judiciary through bribery) Media (bribing, manipulation of debts and taxes owed by media companies, restrictive press laws)