Democracy and an Age of Democratization - Essay Example

Democracy and an Age of Democratization According to Benhabib, a democracy is a political system where the will of majority of the people, becomes the governing law in the country (28). The voice of people becomes the supreme power that forms the base for all Legislations. To provide a democratic environment, the society has to un corrupt itself and then make a foundation for peace, prosperity and justice since this is the desire of most of the people. Democracy advocates for human rights of all citizens and their value of freedom. However, a democracy should possess several characteristics in order to function effectively. Two of the characteristics include competitive political parties and an independent judiciary. Question 1 The presence of competitive political parties in the American democracy influences its ability to function effectively throughout the political system of the country. Political parties are so essential because they offer means through which citizens can be mobilized to support the vision of society. Mobilization happens during elections where the competing political parties, sell out their agendas and seek for support from the public. During this process, the parties offer citizens with meaningful choices in the leadership of the country, and opportunity for participation in shaping their future nation. Within the political parties, the citizens interact freely to contest for public offices, express their vision for the society, and demonstrate their needs and interests (Gizzi et al 210). In an effective democracy, political parties develop a common vision for a significant group of the population so as to exert pressure on the political system of the country. This help to place the citizens’ local interests on a national context. In United State of America, citizens are usually divided on the basis of interests, policies, and leaders. This makes it easier for political parties to provide grounds for compromise as well as uniting the society. The political parties nominate leaders to assume leadership of the country and support them during the election period. They, therefore, form the main linkage between the government and the cultural, religious, ethnic, economical, and many other societal groups. Political parties also support certain legislation in an attempt to improve the welfare of the society and act on citizens’ interest (Gizzi et al 199). The opposition party plays an important role in exerting pressure on the governing party, to fulfill the public interest since the opposition is an alternative government in case the governing party fails. The American democracy can ensure equal justice to all through an Independent judiciary. For instance, in a case involving land, the American democracy can use an independent judiciary to guarantee justice where judges are able to make free decisions based upon law but not upon men. However, since judiciary institution is independent and separate from other concentrations of power, it can exercise a truly independent and impartial adjudicative function. Normally in many nations the judges have security of tenure. They can make fair decisions that are free from influence and without fear of retaliation from other Specific interests such as a government official, the most powerful politician, or chief justice (Gerber 100). On the soul of independent, impartial judging, once commented by then justice William H. Rehnquist, who served as chief justice from 1986 to 2005, is seen as the only way of achieving justice. However, the founding fathers who wrote the U.S.A declaration of independence in 1776 and the constitution in 1789, believed that the rights of the people preceded the existence of governments (Gerber 106). The judiciary as an arm of the government upholds the rule of law by governing the relationship of citizens to citizens, citizens to state, and state to citizen. It also acts as a check of the presidency and the congress by holding them accountable for their actions. The judiciary is the final interpreter of the constitution, which is the ultimate statement of the sovereignty of the people. For instance, in the presidential election of United States in 2000 proceeded to the consternation of many citizens. The deciding votes were cast in the state of Florida. However, there were mechanical problems in the vote count, which led to massive demonstration by both Al Gore and George bush supporters. While the controversy ranged, a case about the incidence was brought before the United State Supreme Court. The decision handed down by the court effectively declared bush the victor over Al Gore. Though not all were happy the decision was final, (Gerber, 111). Question 2 Democracy is categorized in diverse ways especially in political systems which have different values. However, the old notion of democracy is based on the good form of a rule that cater for many people while the modern conception of democracy is based on basic ideologies of acceptable sovereignty and shared decision making. This is very common in democratic countries especially in the party systems. The party systems are a vital tool in enhancing democracy in terms of elections and other ways. The rules given to people in a democratic manner are supposed to govern them into doing the correct thing (Benhabib 300). This is especially in the international community, where it helps to make the right judgement. Democracy, therefore, can be grouped into diverse definitions. For instance, the procedural, substantive, and, liberal democracy is some of the common definitions given to democracy. These are the underlying categories that base the commitment to acceptable sovereignty and also in the political systems. There are two categories of the political system, and they include primary and secondary categories. The primary category deals with protecting the individual’s rights to alienation, while the secondary category deals with the rights of the community. However, it is appropriate to note that democracy is not a political system although, in many cases, it is discussed as so. This is because; a democracy refers to a state which utilizes an efficient method of legitimizing power by using the votes by the citizens. In this case, people are allowed to elect representatives that are supposed to amend the laws. For instance, in the U.S, citizens elect legislators who venture in making the law. These are enhanced by the democratic values which are available for the people in diverse countries (Benhabib 311). The following table is a representation of democracy values in the U.S and France and how they are affected. Democracy core and operative values of the political system United States (U.S) France Life The people’s right to life is considered sacred except in special cases like self defence. The citizen’s right to life is respected and treated as sacred. Diversity People from diverse cultures and ethnicity coexist peacefully. France also has diversity cultures but most of the communities are the same. The Pursuit of Happiness People have the right to find happiness as long as they don’t break the law in the process. People have the right to find happiness as long as they don’t break the law in the process. Sovereignty People have ultimate authority over the states and hold authority over policies and public officials. People have the power to control the government and other public offices. equality People have political equality, legal equality, social, and economic equality Procrustean equality, which is incompatible with freedom, is utilized. Liberty Right to liberty encompasses personal freedom, political freedom, economic freedom as well as participating in any legal economic activity. Right to liberty encompasses personal freedom, political freedom, economic freedom as well as participating in any legal economic activity. The common Good People should accept obligations in order to promote the well being of the society, as well as, working for the greater benefit of everybody. Individuals are supposed to accept obligations so as to promote the well being of the society, as well as, working for the greater benefit of everybody. Justice Everybody in the U.S should be treated equally and fairly in order to acquire benefits as well as deal with the burdens of society. The people are involved in correction of mistakes and injuries, as well as, gathering information to make decisions. Truth People demand the truth from the government. People demand the truth from the government. Patriotism Virtuous people show devotion in their work to build the Nation. People are involved in work that will assist the government and the entire populace. Question 3 Totalitarianism is a modern autocratic government where the state is involved in all facets of society. A Totalitarian government has the power to control not only the entire economy and political matter of the nation, but the values, beliefs, and attitudes of its population erasing the difference between state and society. The citizens’ duty to the state appears to be the primary community concern, and the target of the state. On the other hand, an authoritarian government is based on the principle of requiring obedience to the authority of one person or a small group of people (Brownlee 502). People must be obedient to the will of the government because they have little or no influence over any decisions made by the government. Authoritarianism is different from Totalitarianism because economic and social institutions exists and are not under government control. Authoritarian leaders instill fear to its subjects and reward those royal to the government, while a Totalitarian leader has personal charisma that appeal the mind of the people. Africa entered the 1980s with heady optimism about democratic possibilities. Nigeria was not left behind, but later an authoritarian government set forth. It was not only a complete authoritarianism but also a complete competitive authoritarianism. Currently there are ways at which it has been put forth such as lagging of the election, and an election body referred to as “independent national electro commission” which is a states’ machinery. Election results rarely reflect the wishes of the people, while incumbent governors and presidents usually violate rules hence producing an even playing field between the government and electro participants. In addition, the states deny political parties assembling rights with an aim of controlling them. Recently the Director –General of state security service, met with party leaders on the dangerous trend of ongoing campaigns. The political leaders of Nigeria seem to prefer a unitary system, where the governors and national assembly protect the interest of the “god” at the center, instead of their constituent. This is because the tendency of the present civilian rule. Nigeria operates two types of rules which include the powerful “rule of lords” for exclusive use of the “political lords” and the ineffective “rule of law” (Brownlee 672). A soviet union is also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and abbreviated as USSR. It was a constitutionally communist state that existed from 1922 to 1991 on the territory of former Russian Empire. However, Stalin control over Russia and the whole of the USSR meant that freedom was one thing that people lost. People lacked civil liberty and they had to live, see, and, listen to what the state allowed. This was a totalitarian rule as seen from a number of reasons. First, the education curriculum was established such that it glorified Stalin with its content mainly being about the Soviet Union. Secondly, there was a continuous attack on the churches of USSR during 1930s. Communist had taught people that religion was “the opium of the masses” leading to churches leaders being arrested and shutting down churches. The third reason was divorce which was viewed as un-heard of. Any family that had children was paid an allowance in order to help curb street children in a “perfect state”. Another reason was the industrial growth influenced by Stalin’s rule in 1939 and which brought an absolute disaster in the life of many people. People were paid if they told on their neighbors about his success but resulted to many suffering and dying due to jealousy of their neighbors. Everybody knew of the labor camps, and that was enough deterrent. Stalin developed what came to be known as “personal cult”. He gained the nick name UncleJoe as an attempt to develop an image of a kind, homely man who was the father of all Russians (Watkins 711). Question 4 Normative democratic theory involves the democratic institutions and the moral foundations of democracy. It is different from descriptive and explanatory democratic theory. This is because it aims at describing why and when democracy is morally desirable. Moral principles guide the design of democratic bodies (Watkins 320). According to this concept, we can justify that Russia is a democratic nation while china is not. It is clearly revealed that democracy refers to a system of group decision, which is characterized, by equality among participants during the essential stage of collective decision making. This, therefore, reveals a number of issues about a democratic nation like Russia. The first issue is that, democracy deals with collective decision making, for instance, decisions that are essential for groups and are binding on all members of the group. In Russia, the 450 members of parliament are elected by the citizens in order to represent them in the parliament. Any decision made should be available to the public including discussions preceding the decisions. However, legislation should only be drafted and passed after consolation with groups representing interested parties. Unlike in the past, decision making process in china today is headed by a senior body called politburo. The politburo has never faced competitive elections and the decision made cannot be revoked (Watkins 661). The second issue is that the fundamental principles of democracy are formed in the ideal that each person has a right to freedom. In Russia and other democracies, it is enshrined in the “rule of law” in the constitutions. A person becomes a master of him or herself while respecting the freedom of others. However, in china due to a powerful communist government the rule of law has been down trodden by powerful officials. These officials are above the constitution and hence difficult to handle. In addition, safeguarding the dignity of the constitution and ensuring its implementation, serves as a premise in promoting the rule of law (Watkins 450). Another issue is that, in a democratic system like Russia there is freedom of the market and trading. The government promotes private sectors and people can make their own business and exchange goods (Watkins 222). However, in non-democratic regimes, especially China, markets are monopolized by the government. There is no space for private sectors, and competitive market is diminished leading to economic disorders, which direly affect, the citizens’ life. Lastly, democratic regime leaders are elected by the community. Likewise, there is political pluralism and multiparty system that compete to achieve the majority parliamentary seats. Russia is a multiparty state with four parties currently making federal parliament. The parties are the communist party of the Russia federation, liberal Democratic Party of Russia, right forces, and father land- all Russia. On the other hand, nations with one party state like china are controlled with no alternative to opposition or alternative within the government. (Watkins 543). Works Cited Benhabib, Seyla. Democracy and Difference: Contesting the Boundaries of the Political. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996. Print. Gizzi, Micheal, et al. The Web of Democracy: An Introduction to American Politics. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing, 2007. Print. Brownlee, Jason. Authoritarianism in an Age of Democratization. Cambrigdge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Gerber, Scott. A Distinct Judicial Power: The Origins of an Independent Judiciary, 1606-1787. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Watkins, David. Conceptualizing Democracy in a Global Era. Oklahoma: ProQuest, UMI Dissertation Publishing, 2011. Print. Read More