Democracy

What is Democracy?  Is democracy in the eye of the beholder? Soviets said they had “true democracy” Soviets said they had “true democracy” No social classes, guaranteed employment, etc.No social classes, guaranteed employment, etc. U.S. and Europe had a ruling elite which competed to dominate the populaceU.S. and Europe had a ruling elite which competed to dominate the populace The West criticized Soviet style one-party control and lack of civil liberties The West criticized Soviet style one-party control and lack of civil liberties

Democracy  “Political power resides with the people” How? How? Direct or indirect participation in policymakingDirect or indirect participation in policymaking Direct – people may vote on policies and governing decisions Direct – people may vote on policies and governing decisions Indirect – people may elect representatives in government, but do not vote on policy (also called republicanism) Indirect – people may elect representatives in government, but do not vote on policy (also called republicanism) Participation (elections, pluralism, etc.)Participation (elections, pluralism, etc.) CompetitionCompetition LibertyLiberty Emphasis on rights has led to the creation of a new more specific term – liberal democracy Emphasis on rights has led to the creation of a new more specific term – liberal democracy

Democracy  Social democratic regimes vs. liberal democratic regimes Social democrats emphasize collective welfare over individual rights Social democrats emphasize collective welfare over individual rights Both are still democracies, since both hold the basic tenets (i.e., participation, competition, liberty) Both are still democracies, since both hold the basic tenets (i.e., participation, competition, liberty)

Democracy  Rule of Law Concept originated in England with Magna Carta (1215 AD) Concept originated in England with Magna Carta (1215 AD) All individuals are subject to the political system regardless of their position of power All individuals are subject to the political system regardless of their position of power  Participation Suffrage rights are open to all adult citizens with few restrictions Suffrage rights are open to all adult citizens with few restrictions

Electoral Systems  How to divide constituencies Single-Member District system (also called plurality system or first-past-the-post system) Single-Member District system (also called plurality system or first-past-the-post system) Used in U.S., United Kingdom, NigeriaUsed in U.S., United Kingdom, Nigeria Country is drawn into geographic constituenciesCountry is drawn into geographic constituencies Election chooses one person to represent that constituencyElection chooses one person to represent that constituency Only the candidate/party with the plurality receives representation Only the candidate/party with the plurality receives representation All losing candidates/parties receive no representation for votes they received, no matter how much or little they lose by All losing candidates/parties receive no representation for votes they received, no matter how much or little they lose by

Electoral Systems  How to divide constituencies Single-Member District system (also called plurality system or first-past-the-post system) Single-Member District system (also called plurality system or first-past-the-post system) Variation of SMD – Majority SMD systemVariation of SMD – Majority SMD system Used in France Used in France First round determines top 2 finalists for the office First round determines top 2 finalists for the office 2 nd round is a “runoff” to ensure the winner receives a majority of the vote 2 nd round is a “runoff” to ensure the winner receives a majority of the vote

Electoral Systems  How to divide constituencies Proportional Representation system (also called Multimember District system) Proportional Representation system (also called Multimember District system) Used in most democraciesUsed in most democracies Voters cast a ballot for a party, not a candidateVoters cast a ballot for a party, not a candidate Whatever % of the vote the party receives, the party will win that % of seats in the legislatureWhatever % of the vote the party receives, the party will win that % of seats in the legislature Party publishes a ranked list of candidatesParty publishes a ranked list of candidates ex. If they win 70 seats, the top 70 names on the list go into the legislature ex. If they win 70 seats, the top 70 names on the list go into the legislature

Electoral Systems  How to divide constituencies Mixed System Mixed System Used in Mexico, GermanyUsed in Mexico, Germany Legislature is chosen partially by SMD, partially by PRLegislature is chosen partially by SMD, partially by PR Voters are given two ballots, one to elect a candidate for an SMD seat, one to elect a party for the PR seatsVoters are given two ballots, one to elect a candidate for an SMD seat, one to elect a party for the PR seats

Direct Democracy  Some elements of direct democracy appear in some societies Referendum – public vote on a particular policy issue Referendum – public vote on a particular policy issue ex. European countries held referendum votes on whether to ratify the EU constitution or notex. European countries held referendum votes on whether to ratify the EU constitution or not Initiative – referendum initiated by the public Initiative – referendum initiated by the public ex. Propositions in Arizona can be written by votersex. Propositions in Arizona can be written by voters Plebiscites – nonbinding referendum just to get the public’s opinion on an issue Plebiscites – nonbinding referendum just to get the public’s opinion on an issue

Political Parties  Necessary?  Functions of parties in modern democracy Bring together diverse groups and ideas to create majority rule (called interest aggregation) Bring together diverse groups and ideas to create majority rule (called interest aggregation) Express those ideas in a way the public and political system can understand (called interest articulation) Express those ideas in a way the public and political system can understand (called interest articulation) Prevent tyranny of majority, since factions can exist within parties Prevent tyranny of majority, since factions can exist within parties Means to hold politicians accountable by the electorate and fellow elites in the party Means to hold politicians accountable by the electorate and fellow elites in the party Political symbol, or shorthand to identify basic values tied to a candidate Political symbol, or shorthand to identify basic values tied to a candidate

Separation of Powers  Head of State vs. Head of Government Head of State – symbolizes and represents the people Head of State – symbolizes and represents the people Head of Government – handles day to day tasks of governing the state Head of Government – handles day to day tasks of governing the state Could be the same person, or separate Could be the same person, or separate

Head of State Head of Government United Kingdom Monarch Prime Minister RussiaPresident ChinaPresident Mexico*President**President* Iran Supreme Leader President Nigeria*President**President*

Separation of Powers  Presidential vs. Parliamentary System Presidential Presidential Voters choose chief executive by direct voteVoters choose chief executive by direct vote Separate legislative and executive institutions (including “checks and balances”)Separate legislative and executive institutions (including “checks and balances”) Usually unite head of state and governmentUsually unite head of state and government Used in U.S., Mexico, Nigeria, Iran (if you believe in Iranian “elections”)Used in U.S., Mexico, Nigeria, Iran (if you believe in Iranian “elections”) Parliamentary Parliamentary Voters elect parliament, majority party in parliament elects prime ministerVoters elect parliament, majority party in parliament elects prime minister Prime minister and cabinet control most legislation, though parliament retains the right to remove the executive through a vote of confidencePrime minister and cabinet control most legislation, though parliament retains the right to remove the executive through a vote of confidence Can separate head of state and governmentCan separate head of state and government Used in United KingdomUsed in United Kingdom

Separation of Powers  Presidential vs. Parliamentary System Semipresidential System Semipresidential System Legislature elects a prime minister who serves as head of governmentLegislature elects a prime minister who serves as head of government Voters separately elect a president who holds certain powers (ex. foreign affairs, power to dismiss prime minister, call national referenda)Voters separately elect a president who holds certain powers (ex. foreign affairs, power to dismiss prime minister, call national referenda) Question of who is in control depends on each issue (or who currently occupies each post…)Question of who is in control depends on each issue (or who currently occupies each post…) Used in Russia (Ha! Really?), FranceUsed in Russia (Ha! Really?), France