Democracy

Definition of Democracy
Democracy(Aristotle) is a system of
government which rule is by many as opposite
to autocracy ( a monarch or a dictator-rule by
one person) or oligarchy or aristocracy(rule by
few)
Abraham Lincoln, former US president,
defined democracy as a system of
government,
1. Government of the people means govt
formed by the consent of the people.
2.Government by the people means govt
whose power is exercised by the people
3. Government for the people means govt
formed to protect interests of the people
 Democracy is institutionalization of
fundamental rights & freedoms means
protection & promotion of rights &
freedoms of citizens by establishing
institutions & making laws for this
purpose(including respect, fulfill &
prevention of violation of rights &
freedoms in national constitutions)
Democracy is system of decision making
by the principle of majority rule or by
consensus.
Democracy is a continual process of
conflict management & resolution by
negotiation
Democracy is a system of integrating
values and principles-means values &
principles of democracy are inseparable
Democracy is a system of interrelated
political processes-means one political
process is followed by another.
 Fundamental Principles of democracy
Popular sovereignty meaning the ultimate
political authority/power to make
constitution & to form government by
decision resides in the people
Citizens’ active participation in
government meaning voting, competing in
election, debating national issues
Equality of citizens-having equal
opportunity in enjoying rights shouldering
responsibilities
Transparency- openness, citizens have to
be informed about what government does.
Accountability-govt, elected & appointed
govt officials are answerable for their
decisions, action & unaction
Free, competitive, fair & periodic election-
free no threat & intimidation, competitive
many strong parties participate , fair
treating parties equally, regular election is
regularly conducted in an interval time
limit.
Pluralism-multiparty system which gives real
alternative to the people, free market
economy,mlticulturalism…etc
Majority rule-minority rights-decision is
based on the vote of majority, the rights of
minority should be respected & taken into
consideration
The rule of law-observance of constitution &
other laws of state, limited government, law is
above all the governers and the governed
Respect for fundamental rights & freedoms-
the rights to press, speech, freedom of
movement, association…etc.
 Ways of Exercising Democracy
There are two ways of exercising democracy:
Direct democracy is a way of exercising
democracy in which all eligible citizens directly
participate in decision making processes
without any representative.
First exercised in ancient Greece (Athens)
Today, it is used in areas of small number of
population(local administrative units)
Example of direct democracy are referendum
& popular elections
Indirect democracy is a way of exercising
democracy in which all eligible citizens
indirectly participate in decision making
processes through their elected capable
representative.
First exercised by ancient Romans
Today, it is the widely used in areas of large
number of population & is not expensive
Example of indirect democracy are
parliamentary decisions such as law making
& presidential decisions
Approaches of Understanding Democracy
Substantive View of Democracy:
IT is also known as functional view of
democracy.
It is a form of democracy that functions in the
interests of the people ( the governed)
In substantive democracy citizens play a real
role in carrying out their affairs.
It concentrates on what govt actually does-do
the policies it makes benefit the people? Does
the govt implement its policies in democratic
way?
Procedural View of Democracy:
 Procedural view of democracy emphasizes
the forms & process of govt-how the people
govern themselves and their affairs
 It focuses on the principles of active
participation of the people in govt
Political & legal Equality
It emphasizes the principle of majority rule-
how govt should make decision, who
participate in decision making,how many
vote,weight of vote,how many votes are
needed to make a decision
 Theories of Democracy
Liberal democratic theory: this theory
advocates liberal democracy.
Liberal democracy advocates the principle
of private enterprise/ private ownership in
the means of production, free market
economy, the guarantee of basic civil &
political rights
State intervention in economy is minimal
and its intervention is to protect an
individual and groups from the evils of
private enterprise. But inclines towards
protection of individual interests.
 Liberal democrats accept inequality in soc.
Social democratic theory: this theory
advocates social democracy.
Social democracy advocates the principle of
social equality & to this end it aims to give
all citizens equal rights under the law.
The goal of social democracy is to bring
about equality & classless society through
reform within the capitalist system. It
inclines towards group interest
It calls for social justice by providing social
security, housing, free education & health
cares
Socialist theory of democracy: this theory
advocates socialist/communist democracy.
 Socialist democracy advocates the principle of
public ownership in the means of production,
command economy
State intervention in economy is maximal and
its intervention is to protect groups. But
inclines towards protection of collective/group
interests.
In socialist phase- state of the working people
 In communist phase- state of the whole people
Developmental theory of democracy: this
theory advocates developmental democracy.
developmental democracy advocates the
principle of citizens active participation in
government and community affairs
It advocates political, economic & social
equality
Supporters of developmental democracy
inclines towards respect for individual &
group rights
It accepts government involvement in
economic development
 Democratization
Democratization is a process of building a
new democratic political,economic,social and
cultural systems in a society/country
This requires institutionalization of new
&democratic institutions that realize the
democratization processes in society.
The process requires democratic renewal of
some old institutions & demolition of some
old and anti-democratization institutions.
It is the process of instilling democratic values
& principles and ideals in the minds of
citizens.
 Actors in Democratization process
Political Parties: political parties are permanent
organizations whose political objective/goal is to
seize state political power.
They disseminate democracy through the process
of political socialization of citizens
There are party systems in most countries today.
They are one party, two party and multiparty
systems.
Interest groups: interest groups are
associations/civil societies that established on the
basis of the free will of individuals & advance the
interests of members.
Nongovernmental
organizations(NGOs):these organizations
contribute to consciousness raising,
protection of groups & individual
interests & rights( protection of human
rights)
Public opinion : People give their ideas
through public opinion which is the
reflection and criticisms of their
community.
Mass media: this is institution of
methods of communication which can
reach large number of people at the
same time. It includes newspapers,
television, radio, poster, magazines &
cinema,theatre, drama etc.
Government: Conducts various
activities of democratization in aspects
of societal life-political, social, economic
and cultural life
 Democracy & Good governance
 1.Democracy:a system of government in which
ultimate power rests with the people against
undemocratic forms of government like monarchy and
aristocracy in which the final highest decision-making
power rests with an individual or with a few persons.
 2.Good governance: implies effectiveness and
efficiency in service delivery. Good governance is based
on good leadership, observance of the rule of law &
due processes, accountability, transparency,
responsiveness, active participation, effectiveness and
efficiency, equality & inclusiveness and consensus
 3. Democracy & Good governance share some values
and principles and they are complementary systems
 Assignment : Total value 15%
1.Explain what Direct democracy is. Where it
emerged. Give and explain an example. (3 points)
2.Explain what indirect democracy is. Where it
emerged. Give and explain an example. (3 points)
3.Explain what democratization process is. Give an
example (2 points)
4.Discribe actors in democratization process and
explain the role of each actor.(4 points)
5.Explain transparency as a principle of democracy.
(3 points)