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Subject: Re: ID Stuff Author: Kristen Landino [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:54:58 05/19/02 Sun In reply to: Dylan 's message, "ID Stuff" on 08:09:51 05/11/02 Sat Democracy – a minimalist definition of a democratic state is one which allows for free, fair, and competitive elections. However, a fuller conception of democracy often includes the norms of individual freedoms, accountability of the government to the people, a strong rule of law, and separation of powers. There are generally considered two types of democracies: liberal and illiberal. Liberal democracies allow for civil rights and liberties to be exercised whereas illiberal democracies curb these freedoms. Democracy is an important concept to understand in the context of Latin America because the popularity of this form of government has risen with the onset of the “third wave” of democratization. Latin America provides a good setting for cross-national democratic comparisons as well as the study of democratic transitions. A good example of a liberal democracy is the Uruguay whereas Singapore could probably be termed an illiberal democracy. Electoralism – the belief that elections are synonymous with democracy. Essentially this idea accepts the minimalist definition of democracy (see democracy ID). It is often used by authoritarian dictators to legitimize their rule. States that operate under the principal of electoralism are referred to as illiberal democracies because they lack the civil rights and liberties, strong rule of law, and/or horizontal accountability, etc. that are associated with fuller conceptions of democracy. Examples of states operating under the principle of electoralism are haiti, singapore, and zimbabwe. Majority Rule – a principle that privileges numbers over intensity of preferences. Elections appeal to the idea of majority rule. This principle is important to consider because a government that ascribes to majority rule does not allow for the protection of minority interests. Such a system is particularly dangerous when ethnic/cultural/economic tensions exist between the majority and minority groups. An example of a state wherein majority rule has led to problems is Venezuela. The country is significantly polarized along economic lines, leading the disenfranchisement of the economic elite in the nation. Pluralism – a belief in the presence and tolerance of numerous distinct ethnic, religious, and/or cultural groups in society. Pluralism is an important concept because it is one of the components of successful democracy. Pluralism is often linked with the rise of civil society that leads to democracy. An example of a highly pluralistic society is the United States. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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Subject Author Date NGOs, maqiladoras, presidentialism, parliamentary sovereignity Kristen Landino 19:14:43 05/19/02 Sun