POL112H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: William Galston, Liberal Democracy, Meritocracy
21 Feb 2020
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The populist challenge to liberal democracy - william galston: today, liberal democracy faces multiple external challenges- ethnonational autocracies, regimes claiming to be based on god"s word rather than the will of people but no internal challenge. Majority rule- public decisions made by popular majorities of citizens whose votes all count equally and democratic decision making extends to public matters: constitutionalism- basic, enduring structure of formal institutional power, typically but not always codified in writing. Provides basis for conduct of public life, establish boundaries like. Undermines freedom of the press, weaken constitutional courts, marginalize groups of citizens based on ethnicity, religion: but not every manifestation of populism threatens liberal democracy. An independent judiciary, freedom of press, rule of law must be safeguarded: distinguish b/w policy disputes and regime-level threats. Liberal democrats can adopt diverse views on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage: must make their peace with national sovereignty.
