Democracy Explored 2.0 A Theoretical Tour d’horizon by Nikos Pasamitros.
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Transcript of Democracy Explored 2.0 A Theoretical Tour d’horizon by Nikos Pasamitros.
Democracy Explored 2.0A Theoretical Tour d’horizon
by Nikos Pasamitros
DefinitionOrigin
Greek: δημοκρατία δημο - κρατία
δῆμος + κράτοςpeople + rule
Rule of the people
Modernity A political system in which every citizen has an equal voice/part in the decision-making procedure.
© Inter Alia 2013
Division of Democratic Powers
• Executive
• Legislative
• Judicial
© Inter Alia 2013
Democratic Traditions1. Conservatism:- Capitalism & business class should be subordinate to aristocracy - Aristocrats are the natural leaders of nations(Richard Hooker, David Hume, Edmund Burke)2. Liberalism- Liberty, equality, private property, free trade, individual freedoms(John Locke, Adam Smith, Enlightenment Scholars) 3. Socialism- Social ownership & management of the means of productionNOTE: According to Orthodox Marxism, Socialism is a temporary stage before Communism. (Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Eduard Bernstein, Karl Kautsky, Rosa Luxemburg)
© Inter Alia 2013
Rough Sketch of Democratic Traditions
© Inter Alia 2013
Party & Ideological Cleavages
• Right• Owner• Freedom of the
individual• Free market• Privatisation• Europeanist
• Left• Working class• Equality
• State intervention• State ownership• Euro-skeptical (crisis context)
© Inter Alia 2013
Citizenship• Who participates in a democracy?• The Citizen (The bearer of citizenship)• What is Citizenship?- Participation in government- Equality VS the law- The right to property (Roman)- Modern Era: The right to be politically represented• Modern Citizenship (though Western) is culture-related
© Inter Alia 2013
Citizenship
• Early modern Citizenship = civic rights- Physical & mental safety and integrity- Protection from discrimination- Individual rights• Modern Citizenship = political rights- Equality against the law- Participation
© Inter Alia 2013
Participation
• What is participation?• Lawful attempt to influence/shape decision-making• Forms of participation1. Voting2. Being a candidate / Getting elected3. Protesting4. Civic participation
© Inter Alia 2013
Vote
Fundamental right / obligation of the citizen
© Inter Alia 2013
Vote Timeline
© Inter Alia 2013
Candidacy
The right to represent the people
© Inter Alia 2013
Protest
The Right to object
© Inter Alia 2013
Civic Participation / Engagement
Action on a collective / individual level that seeks and confronts public issues & problems
© Inter Alia 2013
Participation Trends
• Voting fades- Prosperity/perceived prosperity = Apathy- Lack of trust to politicians/disappointment• Protest grows (negative participation)- Anger/disappointment- Economic hardships• Civic Participation grows (positive participation)- People = bored of stagnancy- Feeling of participation/fulfilment/expression- Visible, short-term results = satisfaction- Less ideologically prone
© Inter Alia 2013
Beyond Traditional Participation
• Between authorities and private life: A space called “Public Sphere” (Jürgen Habermas)
• What is the Public Sphere for the citizens?- Meeting Point- Viewpoints’ Exchange on public issues- A space for critique- A rostrum for suggestions & action
© Inter Alia 2013
Wrap-up Reflection on Modern Democracy: A personal Viewpoint ;-)
• Fight corruption on all levels (citizens, decision-makers, institutions)
• Solidarity among people and states with common goals (i.e. EU)
• Thin down the negatives and boost the positives of capitalism
• Voting (Don’t let others be more equal than u)• Small scale action = Civic action
© Inter Alia 2013
Thank you for your attention