Abstract
In his well-received but controversial book, The No-Nonsense Guide to Democracy, Richard Swift asserts that politics in today's age suffers from something he calls "weak democracy". Specifically, Mr. Swift (2002) maintains throughout his text that self-serving political classes and powerful economic power-brokers have monopolized the decision-making process for themselves. The following paper will look at such concepts as "strong democracy," "democratizing the economy," and "democratizing democracy" with an eye towards exploring the strength of Swift's definition of what constitutes a "weak democracy" and a "strong democracy". With that in mind, the ensuing paper will outline the problems Swift sees in contemporary democracies; the paper will also highlight where Mr. Swift's arguments appear to lack some merit in this regard (using the United States as the obvious example). In addition, the paper will look at the deficiencies of a more interventionist model of government favoured by Mr. Swift because of his belief that it will facilitate greater economic equality (and thus democracy) and there will be a brief discussion of what this writer, as opposed to Mr. Swift, would do if he was in a position to secure change. In the end, a more involved electorate and a stronger tradition of local governance might be just the answer.

From the Paper
What is a "weak" democracy and what is a "strong" democracy? A Look at Richard Swift's 2002 text In his well-received but controversial book, The No-Nonsense Guide to Democracy, Richard Swift asserts that politics in today's age suffers from something he calls "weak democracy". Specifically, Mr. Swift (2002) maintains throughout his text that self-serving political classes and powerful economic power-brokers have monopolized the decision-making process for themselves. The following paper will look at such concepts as "strong democracy," "democratizing the economy," and "democratizing democracy" with an eye towards exploring the strength of Swift's

Tags:swift, richard, democracy

Abstract
This paper looks at the notion of western democracy, and how by its very definition, impinges on our everyday lives. The author defines democracy, and looks at what democracy was intended to be, and how, as government expanded, and its influence expanded that democracy has had the opposite affect, and is not limiting our freedoms. The author also suggest ways in which we can regain the benefits that democracy was designed to provide.

From the Paper
"Indeed, if we did otherwise, we would be treating people not as full members of the community among equals, but as sheep unto a shepherd, or a child unto a parent. While such relationships are certainly appropriate between the incompetent and the competent, they can hardly be countenanced for the competent, who are entitled to their own private sphere in which they can determine the meaning of their experiences and define their own ends. After all, since people are different, and even individuals change through time, no one can better know his own conception of the good and his unique set of ends better than the individual himself. The state, far removed from the individual, is in no position to make that determination, and therefore, must be neutral to conceptions of the good. The state's disallowing one to choose for himself the sort of life he leads is, in fact, a principal criterion by which we can judge its goodness."

Tags:deliberative, democracy, domination, libertarianism, non, republican, republicanism

Abstract
Putnam believes that the building of social capital and the presence of civic culture play an important role in both promoting and strengthening democracy, whereas both Caplan and Fiorina suggest that social capital is at best neutral, and at worst corrosive, of democracy. This paper will argue that, while social capital and a civic culture may coincide with democracy, they do not necessarily promote or strengthen it. Specifically, this essay will make the case that there can be social capital without democracy; meanwhile, the example of America in what Putnam calls the age of bowling alone will make the complementary case that there can be democracy without social capital.

From the Paper
Why Social Capital Is Unnecessary for Democracy Introduction Putnam believes that the building of social capital and the presence of civic culture play an important role in both promoting and strengthening democracy, whereas both Caplan and Fiorina suggest that social capital is at best neutral, and at worst corrosive, of democracy. This paper will argue that, while social capital and a civic culture may coincide with democracy, they do not necessarily promote or strengthen it. Specifically, this essay will make the case that there can be social capital without democracy; meanwhile, the example of America in what Putnam calls the age

Tags:social, capital, democracy

Abstract
This paper takes three of the fourteen topics provided on the Democratic Audit web site and apply them to a study of democracy in Iran. Specifically, the paper assesses the country's progress towards democracy, the quality of its democracy, and the functioning of its institutions - all by using the following three topics as a "measuring stick". These topics are a) civil and political rights, b) economic and social rights, and c) the extent of participation in the political process by various Iranian citizens.

Tags:democracy, iraq, index

Abstract
In assessing Russia's progress towards democracy, the quality of Russian democracy, and the effective functioning of Russian institutions, it is evident that after a promising start in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is degenerating back into authoritarianism. Democracy began to fail more than a decade ago during Boris Yeltsin's presidency, mainly because of incompetence and inexperience with democratic institutions and electoral processes, but it is failing today under Vladimir Putin primarily because this former KGB chairman and the authoritarians in his government do not want democratization to succeed in Russia.

From the Paper
Democratic Audit: An Analysis of Democracy in Russia In assessing Russia's progress towards democracy, the quality of Russian democracy, and the effective functioning of Russian institutions, it is evident that after a promising start in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is degenerating back into authoritarianism. Democracy began to fail more than a decade ago during Boris Yeltsin's presidency, mainly because of incompetence and inexperience with democratic institutions and electoral processes, but it is failing today

Tags:democracy, in, russia

Abstract
In this essay, the writer compares social democracy in Switzerland and England. The writer examines how the features of social democracy vary from country to country. The writer discusses how England and Switzerland created two different political versions of social democracy.

From the Paper
"Social democracy as a political and governmental movement has always, according to Stefan Berger, represented a somewhat uneasy marriage of capitalism and socialism, a feature of social democracy which has caused to vary significantly from country to country. Berger points out that Alexis de Tocqueville noted that while democracy assigns primacy to the individual, socialism reduces each individual to little more than an instrumental part of a whole. What democracy and socialism share at their most basic is the notion of equality ... "

Tags:social democracy, Switzerland, England

Abstract
This paper offers the perspective that Islam sends contradictory messages about the validity of pluralism and democracy. The paper defines democracy and its manifestations as well as the militant forms of both Islam and democracy. The focus of the paper is on Islam as a religious belief system that shaped social, political, cultural relations in many nation-states.

From the Paper
"Democracy is often characterized as a method of giving all citizens in a nation-state a share in political decision making. However, the word democracy is used in a number of different ways. Direct democracies are distinguished from representative democracies in that the latter reflect governance systems in which voters select their favored representatives. Democracy is also manifested by different types of representative systems with degrees of participation integral to the determination of the nature of the democracy."

Tags:Islam, democracy

Abstract
This paper explores the reasons "Democracy in America" is repeatedly quoted as a commentator on life in America and why numerous politicians reference the book in speeches as well as political and presidential campaigns. The author goes on to explain why candidates and incumbents consequently turn to one of its most perceptive analysts, Tocqueville, as he mixes a gratitude towards democracy with an acknowledgement of its flaws. The book is often considered a major source for anyone who wants to better understand America. The paper also addresses the author's views on democracy, freedom and the role of the government.

From the Paper
"The other danger Tocqueville acknowledged occurred when the people became so fixed in pursuit of material pleasures that they neglected their duties as citizens. "Under this system the citizens quit their state of dependence just long enough to choose their masters and then fall back into it."8 Democracy, then, could lead gently into a benign despotism, although there was no assurance that such a government would remain benign and much evidence to the contrary. In these elections, candidates typically remind the populace that voting is a key obligation as a way to preserve the essence of the democratic process. Candidates gradually begin to realize that the 21st century Tocquevillian America is not necessarily Republican, any more than Tocqueville's 1830s America inevitably voted for the Jacksonian Democrats. (The Whigs, when they escaped the thrall of their New England elites, won elections too, and in the 1990s Bill Clinton has shown that Democrats can win by convincing margins."

Tags:literature, democracy, united, states, government

Abstract
The following paper discusses Rousseau's theory of democracy which was contradictory to the dictum of the democratic practice we have today but is nevertheless the practical view of democracy. This paper argues that although Rousseau's theory may not be congruent to the image we have of democracy or the natural state, we have seen traces of it in existent in our life.

From the Paper
"When man was first introduced with the theory of living in a society, he was only too glad to join as it ensured his safety and shelter. Through the course of time he learned from others to become wiser in the ways of living, thereby there emerged laws and regulations by one community abide to live together. Many communities have their own rules and regulations, and each one put up conditions for any one who does not obey it. This was a natural discourse by which man had grown to become caveman society."

Tags:contradictory, dictum, democratic, practice, practical, view, democracy, congruent, natural, state, traces, existent, life

Abstract
This paper is a dissertation on the necessity for education in a democratic society. It deals with the problems ignorance can cause with regard to freedom and some possible explanations for these current problems.

From the paper:

"The link between education and democracy is well documented. Philosophers from the likes of Plato to Booker Washington to the late John Dewey as well as many others understood this point well. As Dewey begins a chapter in his book, Problems of Men, "It is obvious that the relationship between democracy and education is a reciprocal one, a mutual one, and vitally so."(34). Dewey goes on to further drive home the point that with liberty lies a tremendous responsibility, "Do you want to be a free human being standing on your own feet, accepting the responsibilities, the duties that go with that position as an effective member of society?" (34). It is these duties that are neglected in a civilization unlearned. Democracy in a true form is likely impossible, however the continuation and evolution of a democratic society requires informed involvement from all of the population. Effective involvement requires at least moderate thinking ability and knowledge."

Tags:arts, broad, democracy, dewey, education, freedom, ignorance, liberal, modern, problems