POL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Polyarchy, Robert A. Dahl
10 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
Democracy is reflective of the norm of inclusion. This is what keeps democracy stable, the not knowing of who is going to win an election. If your party loses, you can run again next time. Uncertainty gives stability: if you lose, you don"t take to the streets, you regroup and you plan for next time. Variations of democracy: no two democracies are the same. Democratic institutions are tailored to different kinds of ethnic, cultural, and economic contexts. In some political systems, efficiency is more important. Democracy depends on the needs of the society. It is applied to reflect different social and economic needs and contexts. Equality: at the core of democracy is the notion of equality. Your vote is the same as anyone else"s. The truest form of democracy is one in which we see the greatest social and economic equality. No matter what form of democracy, equality is central. Political equality: rules of democracy apply to all individuals.
