POL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Centrality, Presidential System, Asian Values
15 Nov 2012
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Document Summary
Modern democracy: south africa: social, economic, third wave of democratic transition, democracy slowly starting to gain popularity, natural process of modernization that makes democracy appealing. Points: democracy"s virtue, democracy"s fragility, democracy as process. Democracy"s virtue: rejection of traditional forms of government, modern form of political organization, centrality of participation, form of political order where we all have a say, ability to participate in politics, decisions are collectively made. Characteristics of democracy: liberty: freedoms and rights. Right to dissent: disagree with the government or positions in power. Mediated through institutions: equality: democratic or political citizenship. All as individuals equal in the political sphere. Same vote/say as other people regardless of socio-economic situation. Modern liberalism: rule of law: equalities and liberties protected under the rule of law. Democracies are the rule of law as opposed to rule of man: pluralism. The ability to elect our representatives in government. Empowers us to vote a government in or out.
