POL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Catholic Church, Liberal Democracy, French Revolution
Document Summary
One of the most basic questions in political science: Became nazi germany, intriguing case of democratic failure. Border look at history of democratization before germany. Relatively recent idea: until french revolution it was widely held in europe that benign dictators, monarchies, or particular classes knew best how to govern a country. Elections are a prerequisite, and these elections must be free and fair. Need a free press, because in absence of a free press, opinion cannot be formed freely. Us democracy is in decline because people participate less, join less association, this is was. Some argue you need a certain degree of political participation. Some argue: greatest destroyed of democracy and greatest source of info, is the internet. Limits human contact: equality: in absence of egalitarian of resources you don"t have democracy. Poor cannot afford to subscribe to newspapers, attend parties: gender: we lack full equal rights and participation for women. 5 & 6 confuse liberal democracy with democracy.
