What is the essential nature of a democracy?

He describes democracy as a system of government with four key elements: i) A system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections; ii) Active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life; iii) Protection of the human rights of all citizens; and iv) A rule of law in …

What are the primary characteristics of a liberal democracy quizlet?

What are the primary characteristics of a liberal democracy? The majority of adults in a liberal democracy have a right to vote. Voters choose among representatives of a small number of political parties.

How are the ideas of liberalism and democracy different?

To begin with, the two ideas have different origins. Liberalism is a relatively modern theory of the state, democracy an ancient conception of a form of government. Moreover, the two have not always been allied. Benjamin Constant, one of the principal theorists of modern European liberalism, expressly contrasts the

What was the relationship between liberty and Democracy?

The concept of liberty, fraternity, and equality became mainstream political thought. These concepts soon made their way into the American Constitution. Zakaria maintains that, “America’s path to liberal democracy was exceptional.” [iii] Woodrow Wilson was influenced by liberal beliefs long after the founding fathers.

When did liberalism become part of the political spectrum?

Liberalism ceased being a fringe opinion and joined the political mainstream. At the same time, a number of non-liberal ideologies developed that took the concept of liberal democracy and made it their own. The political spectrum changed; traditional monarchy became more and more a fringe view and liberal democracy became more and more mainstream.

Is the development of democracy a good thing?

Furthermore, attempts to resolve this tension by showing that democracy is a good thing in its own right, or that it is the inevitable development of liberal aspirations, or that it is conceptually connected to fundamental liberal ideas, all fail. The conclusion to