Democracies
Democracy is a form of political rule that relies on the approval of citizens through free and frequent elections. The name derives from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (power or rule). Democracies generally have clear rules, strong institutions, and a free press. They also try to balance the power of different interests and prevent corruption. Often, democracy includes efforts to protect minorities and the environment, as well as limits on executive power and other checks and balances.
Many people support democracy because they believe that it promotes good character. John Stuart Mill, for example, argued that because democracy gives each subject a share of control over political decisions it forces decision-makers to take into account the judgments and interests of a larger number of subjects than would be the case under monarchy or aristocracy. This, in turn, cultivates a more independent and self-sufficient character than a passive one (Mill 1861: ch. 3).
Another justification for democracy is that it best exploits the underlying cognitive diversity of large groups. In particular, democracy allows members of different social groups to discuss ideas and formulate alternatives to government policies that might be harmful to them. It also allows individuals to form interest groups, lobbying groups and other protest organizations that seek to make government officials aware of the existence of a particular problem. These forms of participation may be inconvenient for governments, but they are vital if all different views are to be heard and taken into account.
However, some critics point out that not all forms of participation are equal. While most forms of participation in a democracy are voluntary, some are coercive and impose costs on people who do not participate. Some critics argue that the coercive nature of certain forms of participation undermines the benefits of democracy and erodes its appeal to citizens.
Despite the problems of defining and measuring democracy, many scholars continue to work on theories of its quality. They use various methods to assess the democratic characteristics of a society, including comparative studies, the emergence of new social movements, and the design of democratic institutions. In addition, they focus on the interplay between political and human development.
The most commonly used definition of democracy defines it as “government by the people, for the people.” In this sense, everyone who is eligible to vote is guaranteed a say in governing a community or state. This definition is consistent with different electoral systems, such as first-past-the-post and proportional representation, but does not settle normative questions about the desirability of democracy in any particular context. It also does not presuppose that it is desirable for democracy to be accompanied by other features of liberal society, such as a written constitution and laws that ensure equality and freedom from discrimination. Nevertheless, this is the most widely accepted definition of democracy in international scholarship.
Democracy is a form of political rule that relies on the approval of citizens through free and frequent elections. The name derives from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (power or rule). Democracies generally have clear rules, strong institutions, and a free press. They also try to balance the power of different interests and prevent corruption. Often, democracy includes efforts to protect minorities and the environment, as well as limits on executive power and other checks and balances. Many people support democracy because they believe that it promotes good character. John Stuart Mill, for example, argued that because democracy gives each subject a share of control over political decisions it forces decision-makers to take into account the judgments and interests of a larger number of subjects than would be the case under monarchy or aristocracy. This, in turn, cultivates a more independent and self-sufficient character than a passive one (Mill 1861: ch. 3). Another justification for democracy is that it best exploits the underlying cognitive diversity of large groups. In particular, democracy allows members of different social groups to discuss ideas and formulate alternatives to government policies that might be harmful to them. It also allows individuals to form interest groups, lobbying groups and other protest organizations that seek to make government officials aware of the existence of a particular problem. These forms of participation may be inconvenient for governments, but they are vital if all different views are to be heard and taken into account. However, some critics point out that not all forms of participation are equal. While most forms of participation in a democracy are voluntary, some are coercive and impose costs on people who do not participate. Some critics argue that the coercive nature of certain forms of participation undermines the benefits of democracy and erodes its appeal to citizens. Despite the problems of defining and measuring democracy, many scholars continue to work on theories of its quality. They use various methods to assess the democratic characteristics of a society, including comparative studies, the emergence of new social movements, and the design of democratic institutions. In addition, they focus on the interplay between political and human development. The most commonly used definition of democracy defines it as “government by the people, for the people.” In this sense, everyone who is eligible to vote is guaranteed a say in governing a community or state. This definition is consistent with different electoral systems, such as first-past-the-post and proportional representation, but does not settle normative questions about the desirability of democracy in any particular context. It also does not presuppose that it is desirable for democracy to be accompanied by other features of liberal society, such as a written constitution and laws that ensure equality and freedom from discrimination. Nevertheless, this is the most widely accepted definition of democracy in international scholarship.