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.

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Division of Democratic Powers

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

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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)

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Rough Sketch of Democratic Traditions

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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)

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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

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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

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Participation

• What is participation?• Lawful attempt to influence/shape decision-making• Forms of participation1. Voting2. Being a candidate / Getting elected3. Protesting4. Civic participation

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Vote

Fundamental right / obligation of the citizen

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Vote Timeline

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Candidacy

The right to represent the people

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Protest

The Right to object

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Civic Participation / Engagement

Action on a collective / individual level that seeks and confronts public issues & problems

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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

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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

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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

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Thank you for your attention