Democracy and Regime Types

• 1. Democracy and Regime Types
  10/7/2010
  

2. What is Democracy?
Demos=People
Kratia=Rule
Democracy: A system of governance where the people represent and vote for themselves.
3. 4. Parliamentary vs Presidential Democracy
Presidential: Clear separation of powers and system of checks and balances
Parliamentary: Legislative Branch has greater power over other branches
5. Not all Democracies are created equal
Respect for civil liberties is essential in democracies.
Democratic Govts. respect the rule of law
Judicial systems are essential to maintaining democratic freedoms.
6. Degrees of Democracy?
Are we either a democracy or not, or are there degrees of democracy?
Gray Zones?
Are elections the only prerequisite for democracy?
7. 8. Other Regime Types?
Democratic
Authoritarian
Totalitarian
Sultanic
9. Technical Regime Type Classification
10. Actual Freedom/Degree of Democracy
11. Authoritarianism
Ruled by an elite group that uses repressive means to stay in power.
The state will generally ignore the actions of an individual unless it is perceived to be a direct challenge to the state.
12. Totalitarianism
The state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private behavior.
13. Sultanic
All individuals, groups and institutions are permanently subject to the unpredictable and despotic intervention of the sultan.
14. What Factors are Conducive to Democracy?
No magic formula
Helpful factors: Political Culture, History, Economic Development, Middle Class, Civil Society.
Economic Development, Education and Middle Class also help to maintain Democracy
15. Transitions to Democracy
Democratization: Process of changing from previous authoritarian govt. to a democratic govt.
Transition begins with liberalization
Democracies become consolidated when it is the only game in town; populaton believes democracy is best type of govt.
16. How to Consolidate?
1. Easy for civil society to develop.
2. Groups and Individuals can openly and freely compete for political power.
3. Society respects and upholds the rule of law; independent judicial system.
4. Autonomous market; Individuals have right to own property
17. World Population (over time)
18. Does Democratization Occur in Waves?
Samuel Huntington says Democratization occurs in waves.
First wave 1828-1926
First reverse wave 1922-1942
Second, short wave 1943-1962
Second reverse wave 1958-1975
Third Wave 1974-Present
19. When Did the US become a Democracy?
1787
1865
1920
1964
20. Female Suffrage
21. 22. Least Free Places on Earth
Myanmar
North Korea
Libya
Somalia
23. Belarus
Tibet
China
Cuba
24. Laos
Uzbekistan
Saudi Arabia
Western Sahara