Intro:

·        Liberalism – democracy is an instrument for rational individuals to achieve their liberal goals rather than an ideal. – representative.

·        Socialism – system whereby more citizens in a nation-state are magistrates rather than mere private individuals. – more direct.

·        Conservatism – elitist democracies and pluralist democracies.

Body:

CONSERVATIVE ACCOUNT OF DEMOCRACY

·        Elitist democracies are where the elites protect the status quo of power distribution.

·        The people should choose from the elites, as the education and historical experience of the elites gives them a solid ideology and a right to rule.

·        Pluralist democracies – are all-inclusive democracies where the satisfaction of all is attained.

·        However, elites may still be at the helm (conservative way?)

·        Still satisfied with the status quo, so conservative.

LIBERAL ACCOUNT OF DEMOCRACY

·        Representatives are elected and become trustees. They are trusted with protecting property rights of the rational and self-interested individual, and separating public and private spheres and not getting involved in the latter.

·        Governance by the intelligent, whose wisdom overrides the ‘popular clamour’ cried for by the citizens.

·        CONSENT is the only legitimate basis of authority, so we can only be subjected to laws by our consent either personally or via our representatives. Politicians must earn this consent. Governments become accountable via frequent elections.

·        Democracy is an instrument for rational individuals to achieve liberal goals rather than an ideal.

SOCIALIST ACCOUNT OF DEMOCRACY

·        A system whereby more citizens in a nation-state are magistrates rather than mere private individuals. First notably occurred in the Polis or city States in Ancient Greece.

·        Citizens met in public squares, assemblies and public offices to agree upon coherent political policies – considered to be high culture and promoted active citizenship.

·        Majority of citizens eligible got involved – therefore could be seen as an ‘all affair’ compared to representative democracy.

·        The common good was agreed upon by the meeting and discussion of citizens, where the right answer would prevail.

·        More recently, Marxist democracy can be said to be direct.

·        At its extreme, it wishes to temporarily reverse the status quo, and form a mass ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ to place power and sovereignty in the masses.  Thereafter a new ruling class is formed where direct democracy is maximised.

·        Politicians become delegates rather than trustees.