Term
| Western Powers have freedoms of: |
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Definition
1. Opposition
2. Individual
3. Travel
4. Fear
All freedoms stem from the first amendment. |
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Term
| Communist Conception of Democracy: |
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Definition
-Want to destroy capitalism (believe it is the root of all evil)
-Believe the communist party performs "real democracy" by controlling the state for the good of the people and carrying out policies for the good of the people. |
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Term
| Eight Principle Elements of Western Democracy |
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Definition
1. Rational Empiricism
2. Emphasis on the Individual
3. Instrumental Theory of the State
4. Volunteerism
5. Law Behind the Law
6. Emphasis on Means
7. Discussion and Consent in Democracy
8. Basic Equality of All Human Beings |
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Term
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Definition
| It is the most important element in a free way of life. It is based on reason and the applicability of reason to all relations. It is "searching for the truth and recognizing that it changes as you grow." Must always inquire to find out what you don't know. Dogmatists believe that their way is the only way. However, democracy believes that all decisions must be based on consensus; they put emphasis on procedure. All sides must be heard. Rationalism can be confronted with serious threats such as emotional appeal, people focus on images and appearances rather than facts. |
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Term
| Emphasis on the Individual |
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Definition
| This is a part of democracy but not communism. It is the essence of mankind to resist the state, not obey it. The individual will not be reduced to a servant as they would be in a totalitarian state. Individualism is rooted in three things: monotheism, christian doctrine, and the stoic philosophy. Individualism is threatened by group concept and unionism. It is the duty of the individual to defend themselves and their opinions. |
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Term
| Instrumental Theory of the State |
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Definition
| State is only there to help when individual efforts fail. Totalitarian state is supreme in all areas of society. |
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Term
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Definition
| This is the lifeblood of a free society. Groups should be small and made of individuals there on their own free will. |
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Term
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Definition
| There is a higher law than just government and that is NATURAL LAW - this deals with the rights of the individual. |
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Term
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Definition
| Not the end that's important but how you get to it. Democracy believes in that philosophy while totalitarians believe in just the end and don't focus on the means it takes to get to it. |
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Term
| Discussion AND Consent in Democracy |
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Definition
| BOTH are necessary. This process is used to settle varying viewpoint. The government must hear all sides in order to be fair and make a just conclusion. It is the people's right and duty to revolt if the government does not adhere to this. |
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Term
| Basic Equality of All Human Beings |
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Definition
| This is most frequently misunderstood. There are two viewpoints: religious (all equal in the eyes of God) and political (opportunity and right to pursue happiness). It is hard to define equality, need must be considered. For example, the government can't change a handicapped individual but can give them equal opportunity (ex. No Child Left Behind). |
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Term
| Democracy as a political order: |
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Definition
| works better in smaller communities |
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Term
| Classical Political Democracy: |
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Definition
| Every single person participated in the political process. Smaller communities: voice of individual is heard. Large: Must be split into divisions so everyone is heard. |
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Term
| Political Democracy in a Larger Community |
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Definition
Definition: A political order where adults freely choose representatives in regularly scheduled, competitive elections.
Participation in the political process is done by voting and party activities, campaign contributions and civics groups.(getting involved)
Policies are deemed democratic by how they are made rather than what the policies are and must be made by a consensus of opinion.
19th century broadened the concept of democracy by taking from the realm of government to that of society as a whole.
Political democracy employs a set of methods and procedures which will enable it to adopt to many kinds of economic and political institutions. |
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Term
| Conditions of Political Democracy |
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Definition
1. Political Liberty: allowing everyone to be heard.
2. Common agreement on fundamentals: should have two things (a common desire to operate a democratic system and should have a written constitution)
3. Strength of Democracy: people must agree with the constitution in order for it to work
4. Agreement on Economic Principles are necessary to a political democracy
5. Government by more than one party. Democratic view: must have a two party system so at least two sides can be heard. Marxist view: two party system is a product of capitalism. no capitalism, no conflict, no two party system. |
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Term
| Psychological Roots of Democracy: |
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Definition
| 1. Democracy is NOT natural or spontaneous, it is a commitment by all. |
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Term
| 2. Authoritarian behavior is more natural than a democratic personality |
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Definition
| A democratic leader must put in effort to be an intellectual and emotional being |
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Term
| 3. Dictatorships v. Democracies |
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Definition
Dictatorships: no experimentation, no risk, no mistakes, no growth
Democracies: right to make mistakes, freedom is a choice between alternatives, wrong choices are bound to be made |
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Term
| 4. Emphasis on a Leader in a Democracy |
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Definition
| Strong leaders tend to get pulled down, it is much better to work as a part of a group. |
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Term
| 5. Democratic personalities in the following homes: |
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Definition
Lower income: authoritarian, immature due to lack of education
Higher income: allow/encourage people to be their own |
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Term
| 6. Attitude towards women |
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Definition
| In a democratic society women have more equality and minority rights are respected. |
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Term
| 7. Democratic Personality: |
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Definition
| more tolerant, cooperative, experimental and inefficient |
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