Class Notes Set 5: Political Science - Democratic Theory
Class: Political Science 305
Date: April 2nd
Topic: Democratic Theory: Models & Debates
Note Style: Concept Map / Mind Map (Textual representation)
(Imagine a central bubble "Democratic Theory" with lines branching out to key concepts, which
then branch out further to details, examples, and debates.)
Central Idea: Democratic Theory
* What is Democracy? Rule by the people. But who are "the people"? How do they rule? What's
the goal?
* Fundamental Tension: Majority rule vs. Minority rights.
Branch 1: Classical/Direct Democracy (Ancient Roots)
* Main Thinker: Rousseau (Social Contract)
* Key Ideas:
* General Will: Collective good, not sum of individual desires.
* Citizens directly participate in decision-making (assemblies, referendums).
* Small, homogeneous societies ideal.
* Critiques:
* Impractical for large states.
* "Tyranny of the Majority" risk.
* Susceptible to demagoguery.
* Modern Examples: Swiss cantons, town hall meetings (limited scope).
Branch 2: Liberal Democracy (Modern Dominant Model)
* Main Thinkers: Locke, Mill, Montesquieu
* Key Ideas:
* Representative Government: Citizens elect representatives.
* Protection of Individual Rights: Civil liberties (speech, press, religion) are paramount.
* Rule of Law: Everyone subject to laws, not arbitrary rule.
* Separation of Powers: Checks & balances (Legislative, Executive, Judiciary).
* Free & Fair Elections: Multi-party competition.
* Debates within Liberal Democracy:
* Procedural vs. Substantive: Is it just about the rules (elections) or outcomes (equality)?
* Role of State: Minimal (Night-watchman) vs. Welfare State (social safety net).
* Voter Ignorance: Are citizens well-informed enough?
* Examples: USA, UK, Germany, Canada.
Branch 3: Deliberative Democracy
* Main Thinkers: Habermas, Rawls (implicitly)
* Key Ideas:
* Emphasis on reasoned public discussion as core of legitimacy.
* Decisions derive from public deliberation among free and equal citizens.
* Focus on process, mutual understanding, and transformation of preferences.
* Not just voting, but why you vote.
* Critiques:
* Idealistic, difficult to achieve in practice (scale, polarization).
* Who sets the agenda? Power imbalances persist.
* Can deliberation lead to inaction?
* Examples: Citizen juries, deliberative polls, participatory budgeting.
Branch 4: Participatory Democracy (Broader Engagement)
* Main Thinkers: Pateman (rejection of elite rule)
* Key Ideas:
* Maximize citizen participation beyond just voting.
* Participation in workplaces, schools, community organizations.
* Aims to create more active, engaged, and responsible citizens.
* Education for Democracy: Participation teaches democratic values.
* Critiques:
* Feasibility: Too time-consuming for citizens?
* Expertise vs. Mass Opinion.
* Risk of "mob rule" or lowest common denominator.
* Examples: Worker cooperatives, community action groups, direct activism.
Branch 5: Elite/Schumpeterian Democracy
* Main Thinker: Schumpeter
* Key Ideas:
* Democracy is a method for selecting leaders.
* Citizens choose between competing elites.
* Emphasis on competition, not direct rule by people.
* Voters' role is limited to choosing who governs, not how.
* Critiques:
* Undermines notion of popular sovereignty.
* Can lead to apathy and alienation.
* Elites can become self-serving.
* Examples: Often seen as a descriptive model of many modern "democracies."
Overall Takeaway: Democracy is a contested concept, with different theories emphasizing
different aspects (representation, participation, deliberation, rights). No single perfect model
exists; ongoing debates about its nature and challenges.
