PSCI 110 Chapter Notes -Mikhail Gorbachev, Presidential System, Curbed
Document Summary
Democracy is political power exercised either directly or indirectly through participation, competition and liberty. There are various and competing explanations for why democracy has emerged in some cases and not in others. Executive, legislative and judicial institutions can vary dramatically across democracies in their construction and degree of power. Democracies can be classified as parliamentary, presidential, or semi-presidential systems. Electoral systems can be classified as plurality, majority, or proportional systems, or a combo. Liberal democracy a political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty; rooted in ideology of liberalism with emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. Republicanism emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elected officials (instead of the unaccountable powers of a monarchy or direct participation) Direct democracy public participates directly in governance and policy making; historically found in small communities such as ancient athens.