PSCI 101 Lecture Notes - Liberal Democracy
15 Dec 2012
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Document Summary
Models offer different levels of mass participation and protection of individual rights. Majority of the assumptions of human nature of liberal and elite democracy seem reasonable. Participatory must have some meaningful way for individuals to vote on issues. The group is likely to reflect their own interests. Has a high focus on mass participation, and general welfare. If you have enough meaningful participation, that will define the general welfare. Participatory democracy: most important goal is maximizing mass participation, mass participation will result in decisions that maximize general welfare. Agree on general welfare, but mass participation is not the way to do it. Believe that elections are a substantial means of participation, then elites have a mandate to protect general welfare: liberal democracy. Mass participation is neither good or bad, more focussed on maximizing individual rights. Limits the range of issues that can be decided by government.
