POL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Athenian Democracy, Liberal Democracy, Substantive Rights
Document Summary
One of the most basic questions in political science: what is the form of government (democracy, dictatorship, oligarchy) Because of what followed, nazi germany remains a particularly intriguing case of democratic failure. Based on berman - democratic failure in interwar europe. Elections must be at least free and fair (fallacy of electoralism) Substantive rights: to a free press, to free association, to freedom from political intimidation. Does a democracy require participation beyond voting (neo- Tocquevillains such as r. putman and b. barber) More controversially: some sort of equality and equal distribution of resources. (positive vs. Freedom from arbitrary arrest vs freedom to participate and expression. Gendered democracy: full female participation, and female equality (ann phillips). A very old debate: classical athenian democracy was highly exclusive (anything but inclusive because it depended on flourishing slaves. Hungary has free and fair elections but maintains rule through highly illiberal policies (robust of minorities)
