Prof. Sandra Gustafson Fall 2008 MAJOR TYPES OF DEMOCRACY1 Elements of Democracy I.

Political Democracy: Rule by the people Variant 1: Representative (or Constitutional) Democracy Democracy understood as a constitutional system involving a competition among different political leaders who can be elected to office, usually with the purpose of expressing the will of their constituents. This definition of democracy emphasizes the importance of constitutional arrangements as perhaps the core element of democratic regimes. Variant 2: Participatory (or Direct) Democracy Democracy understood as government by the many. The core assumption of participatory democracy is that democracy can be achieved only when large sectors of the population participate actively in the political process. This participation can take many forms, including party activism, voting, as well as more immediate kinds of self-governance such as cooperatives. Variant 3: Deliberative Democracy Democracy understood as a process of collective decision-making that involves all eligible members of political community. Deliberative democracy is compatible with both representative and participatory democracy. It emphasizes deliberation (or discussion, debate, and group choice) as core elements of democracy. II. Economic Democracy: Economic equality, in terms of income or property. Equality can be understood in absolute terms (everyone owns about the same amount); in terms of opportunity (everyone has equal chances to make money); or in terms of a base-line amount of guaranteed support (the safety net approach). III. Socio-cultural Democracy: Social egalitarianism demonstrated in actions and attitudes that convey a sense of common humanity and reject hierarchy or formality. Another way to define socio-cultural democracy is by the absence of a caste system. Race and gender equality are two forms of socio-cultural democracy.

Adapted from Democracy in Raymond Williams, Keywords (1976, 1983) and S.N. Eisenstadt, Paradoxes of Democracy (1999)

Two Contemporary Forms of Democracy: Liberal Democracy: Liberal democracy is a representative democracy in which the ability of the elected representatives to exercise decision-making power is subject to the rule of law, and usually moderated by a constitution that emphasizes the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals, and which places constraints on the leaders and on the extent to which the will of the majority can be exercised against the rights of minorities. The United States is a liberal democracy. Social Democracy: Social democracy is a political ideology that emerged out of classical socialism in the late 19th and early 20th century. Social democracy does not seek to dismantle or replace the capitalist system, but instead aims to reform it in order to remove its perceived injustices and to bring about a more equal distribution of wealth. It emphasizes freedom not only individual liberties, but also freedom from discrimination and freedom from dependence on either the owners of the means of production or the holders of abusive political power. Secondly, social democracy stresses equality and social justice not only before the law but also economic and socio-cultural equality, and equal opportunities for all including those with physical, mental, or social disabilities. Finally, social democracy is characterized by solidarity, that is, unity and a sense of compassion for the victims of injustice and inequality. Social democracy has been particularly influential in Europe.