POLI 212 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Liberal Democracy, Individual And Group Rights, Radical Change
29 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Liberal democracy -> no limit to the vote. Early modern democracies run by cliques -> parliamentarians. Joined together when it suited them and grouped with somebody else when it suited them. Govt was much more fluid than what we are used to today. Mass suffrage required more formal groupings; workers were first to form modern mass political parties, called socialist. Workers were first convinced to join parties on the base of socialism. Dynamic of worker/socialist party vs the economic elite/conservative party is created and perpetuated. Workers could pool their money together and compete against the well-funded elite parties. Individuals wield influence and obtain power -> say anything in order to lead the party and get elected. Stick with me and when i am in govt you will be rewarded. Healthy side (perpetuate liberal democracy and reach the common good) Train leaders for high office -> avoiding the pitfalls of inheritance of political power.
