This is an argument for the libertarian conception of self-ownership as the foundation for democracy, as opposed to other values such as republican non-domination and deliberative democracy, with treatment of empirical work on the phenomenon of voter igno
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
A study on democracy in Iraq, looking at how much progress the country has made towards establishing democracy, the quality of its democracy and how well its institutions are functioning.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
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.
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."
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 dicourse by which man had grown to become caveman society."
This paper explains why Americans continue to reflect and quote from Tocqueville's classic book, "Democracy in America," which was written more than 150 years ago and how it's still relevant in today's society.
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 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 ... "
Abstract This paper discusses Islam and modernity. Specifically, the paper looks at Saudi Arabia and democracy. The paper argues that Saudi Arabia, like most Islamic countries in the Middle East, is not following a Western developmental path and therefore, that democracy in these countries is not going to be like democracy in the west.
From the Paper "Saudi Arabia and Democracy Middle Eastern Islamic countries are usually seen as primitive and backwards by Western Scholars. For example, In Iran: Change in Islam; Islam and Change Nikki R. Keddie argues, The progress-oriented secularist concentration of most Western and Middle Eastern scholars not only prevented them from foreseeing major developments, but skewed their view of the past, including ideological and religious history (Keddie 528). Even though many of these societies may appear to be primitive and backwards to most developed countries they are constantly developing."
Abstract This paper discusses the differences between Capitalism and Democracy, outlining certain theories dictated by major thinkers and scholars of the Western World. The paper then discusses how the two opposing ideologies are combined within the modern western democratic world.
Abstract An analysis of Robert McChesney's book "Rich Media, Poor Democracy". The paper examines the author's major ideas and his combination of historical with contemporary media environment. The paper looks at the main argument that structural media reform is vital to preserve democracy.
From the Paper In Rich Media Poor Democracy Robert W McChesney argues that the media including the Internet serve the interests of corporate profit rather than the public interest. The result of the concentrated corporate power that McChesney details is the weakening of ..."
Abstract This paper studies the various forms of democracy found today in the post-Communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The paper compares and contrasts parliamentary and presidential democracy and explains why the parliamentary form is more appealing to these post-Communist nations.
From the Paper "According to Reiter and Stam, the driving force behind the new wave of democratization stems from the belief that liberal democracy brings with it at least three promises: freedom..."
Abstract This paper argues that democracy is the most just organization of society because the people have the right to determine who governs them. It contends that despite weaknesses that are associated with democratic government, democracies are better able to ensure that a just civil society will prevail than other forms of government.
From the Paper "Democracy is based upon the idea that the people have the right to determine who governs them and on the belief that legal limits should be imposed upon governmental authority by guaranteeing certain rights and freedoms..."
Abstract This paper debates the issue of whether Colombia is a democracy, examining both the political elements that mark the country as a democracy as well as those elements within the country that threaten democratic rule.
From the Paper "At issue in this report is the question of whether or not Colombia is a democracy. If one assumes that a country which holds regularly scheduled public elections in which adult citizens of both genders are entitled to vote for officials at the regional and national levels, one must conclude that Colombia is a democracy. A democracy but of many warts. At the same time Colombia is not a democracy without deep troubles. It has experienced decades of internal dissent resulting in various insurgencies and civil..."
Abstract This paper is a discussion of Athenian Democracy under Pericles as made possible by the existence of slavery. The paper explains that the massive slave population in Ancient Greece during this time underpinned the bulk of Greek society and drove the economy that allowed this state to flourish.
From the Paper "The ascendancy of the Greek polis in the Ancient World culminated in Athens in the fifth century BC under the leadership of the great statesman Pericles. Never holding an office higher than that of general, Pericles nonetheless dominated the political landscape of Athens for more than forty years. Under his sure hand, Athens became emblematic of all that many in modern times believe to epitomize Classic Greek culture - a shining glamorous city boasting the acropolis, the Parthenon and countless other marvels of architecture - a paragon of participatory democracy."
Tags: pericles, democracy, polis, Ancient Greece, athens, athenian democracy, slavery
Abstract This is a critical paper that reviews the industrial revolution's connections between capitalism and democracy, the liberal theory, as inherited by the U.S. Most of the paper moves on to arguments of the present day and the mythology of democracy and neo-liberal economics that is at the heart of what we call "Globalization." The paper includes several interesting references in addition to the course text.
From the Paper "Since the collapse of the Communist bloc in the late 1980s, one has heard more and more slogans of capitalism in relation to democracy. The idea is the capitalism is the form of economic life that people in former socialist states would naturally want and that democracy is the system of government that they have wanted, too. When this theme is examined, one sees a very old set of ideas that have come to have many questions attached to them that pertain to history, as much as to misinformation."
Abstract This paper tries to determine the compatibility of Islam and democracy. It compares the works of three Muslim authors in the West, John L. Esposito, Ahmad Moussalli, and Abdulaziz Sachedina. It explains that the main objective for this comparative analysis is to gain a better understanding of how Western Muslim scholars conceptualize and utilize the concept of democracy in an Islamic framework.
From the Paper "In order to determine the compatibility of Islam and democracy, I have compared the works of three Muslim authors in the West, John L. Esposito, Ahmad Moussalli, and Abdulaziz Sachedina. My main objective for this comparative analysis is to gain a better understanding of how Western Muslim scholars conceptualize and utilize the concept of democracy in an Islamic framework. In Islam and Democracy, John L. Esposito offers his readers the opportunity to acquire a better understanding of how democratic thought and practices can be incorporated into Islamic politics by examining the scope of democratic practices inherent within Islam, and discussing how the secular and the religious forms inform and reinforce the political discourse of democracy. In terms of how Islam can be incorporated in ..."
