ASSORTED IDEAS ON DEMOCRACY (for Classroom Exercise)

Democracy is government of, by and for the people. -Abraham Lincoln I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong. -Mohandas Gandhi Democracy is not so much a form of government as a set of principles. -Woodrow Wilson Democracy is not just the right to vote, it is the right to live in dignity.- Naomi Klein I believe in democracy, because it releases the energies of every human being.Woodrow Wilson

Ideals of Democracy.....Pillars of Democracy..........Challenges/Obstacles/Hindrances........

Forms of Governance...

Meaning of Democracy:No consensus exists on how to define democracy, but legalequality, politicalfreedomand rule of law have been identified as important characteristics. These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes.

Dictionary Meaning : democracy[dih-mok-ruh-see]noun,pluraldemocracies.

1.governmentbythepeople;aformofgovernmentinwhichthesupremepowerisvestedinthepeopleandexerciseddirectlybythemorbytheirelectedagentsunderafreeelectoralsystem.2.astatehavingsuchaformofgovernment.

3.astateofsocietycharacterizedbyformalequalityofrightsandprivileges.4.politicalorsocialequality; democratic spirit.5.thecommonpeopleofacommunityasdistinguishedfromanyprivilegedclass;thecommonpeoplewithrespecttotheirpoliticalpower.

British Dictionary definitions fordemocracydemocracy/dmkrs/noun(pl)-cies1.governmentbythepeopleortheirelectedrepresentatives2.apoliticalorsocialunitgovernedultimatelybyallitsmembers3.thepracticeorspiritofsocialequality4.asocialconditionofclasslessnessandequality5.thecommonpeople,espasapoliticalforce

American Heritage Dictionary definitions fordemocracydemocracydefinition

Asystemofgovernmentinwhichpowerisvestedinthepeople,whoruleeitherdirectlyorthroughfreelyelectedrepresentatives.Note:Democraticinstitutions,suchasparliaments,mayexistinamonarchy.Suchconstitutional monarchiesasBritain,Canada,andSwedenaregenerallycountedasdemocraciesinpractice.

noun,pluraldemocracies.1.governmentbythepeople;aformofgovernmentinwhichthesupremepowerisvestedinthepeopleandexerciseddirectlybythemorbytheirelectedagentsunderafreeelectoralsystem.2.astatehavingsuchaformofgovernment:TheUnitedStatesandCanadaaredemocracies.3.astateofsocietycharacterizedbyformalequalityofrightsandprivileges.4.politicalorsocialequality;democraticspirit.5.thecommonpeopleofacommunityasdistinguishedfromanyprivilegedclass;thecommonpeoplewithrespecttotheirpoliticalpower.

Word Origin and History fordemocracyn.

1570s,fromMiddleFrenchdmocratie(14c.),fromMedievalLatindemocratia(13c.),fromGreekdemokratia"populargovernment,"fromdemos"commonpeople,"originally"district", +kratos"rule,strength".Democracyimpliesthatthemanmusttaketheresponsibilityforchoosinghisrulersandrepresentatives,andforthemaintenanceofhisown'rights'againstthepossibleandprobableencroachmentsofthegovernmentwhichhehassanctionedtoactforhiminpublicmatters.[EzraPound,"ABCofEconomics,"1933]

Democracy - Classical DefinitionOftendemocracyis defined opposite to other types of government:MonarchyGovernment by a single ruler (king/queen, emperor)

AristocracyGovernment by noblemen (hereditary)

OligarchyGovernment by few persons

Theocracy"Government by God" (in reality this means government by religious leaders)

DictatorshipGovernment by people, that have seized power by force (often: military dictatorship)

Today, the majority of democratic countries in the world arerepublics, i.e. officials are elected. Some well-established democratic countries in Europe, however, (the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and the Scandinavian countries) areconstitutional monarchies, i.e. a king or queen is head of state while the constitution guarantees nevertheless all basic rights as in any democratic republic and sets clear limits to duties and competences of the monarch. Such a king can be regarded as astabilizingfactor rather than as a danger for a democracy. Therefore the classical definition of democracy is little helpful - at least concerning monarchy.Democracy - Modern DefinitionBecause the definition of theterm democracyopposite tomonarchyandaristocracyrather creates confusion with regard toconstitutional monarchiesinstead of establishing clarity, it is more appropriate to definedemocracyopposite toauthoritarianandtotalitarian regimes:DemocracyForm of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.

Totalitarian regimeGovernment by a little group of leaders on the basis of anideology, that claims general validity for all aspects of life and usually attempts to replace religion. The regime does not tolerate any deviation from its state ideology. Regime opponents are persecuted, tortured, detained in concentration camps and members of ethnic minorities are killed in mass executions (genocide).Historic examples of totalitarian regimes include:National Socialism (Germany under Hitler, 1933-1945) and Stalinism.

Authoritarian regimeGovernment by a little group of leaders. In contrast to totalitarian regimes, authoritarian regimes have no distinct state ideology and grant some amount of freedom (e.g. economic and cultural) as long as their rule is not jeopardized. The most important goal of authoritarian regimes is the maintenance of power and the personal enrichment on cost of the country and its population.

Theocracy"Government by God": in reality this means government by religious leaders. Usually a certain interpretation of ancient religious laws replaces modern forms of law and is enforced with utmost severity.Example: Islamic Republic of Iran.

Democracy- Key ElementsIn order to deserve the labelmodern democracy, a country needs to fulfill some basic requirements - and they need not only be written down in its constitution but must be kept up in everyday life by politicians and authorities: Guarantee of basicHuman Rightsto every individual person vis--vis the state and its authorities as well as vis--vis any social groups (especially religious institutions) and vis--vis other persons. Separation of Powersbetween the institutions of the state:Government[Executive Power],Parliament[Legislative Power] undCourts of Law[Judicative Power] Freedom of opinion, speech, press and mass media Religious liberty General and equal right to vote(one person, one vote) Good Governance(focus on public interest and absence of corruption)

THE PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY Sovereignty of the people. Government based upon consent of the governed. Majority rule. Minority rights. Guarantee of basic human rights. Free and fair elections. Equality before the law. Due process of law. Constitutional limits on government. Social, economic, and political pluralism. Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and compromise.