| Why are Liberalism and Democracy not Partners? | -Class Liberals feared, like JS Mill, that Democracy was a Collectivist Concept that led to the Tyranny of the Majority
-A Threat to Private Property leads to a Threat to Individual Freedom, as well as Harming Minorities Rights. This would be Worrisome if the Majority were Uneducated and Resented Higher Education
-Thus some Liberals didn't like the idea of Universal Suffrage and there should be some Property Qualification (my god)
-Democratic State may not even Protect Property Rights as again Majority of Voters would be without Private Property |
| Why do Modern Liberals like Democracy? | -It is the only way to Limit the Power of the State
-To Govern, the Rulers must gain the Agreement and Consent of the Population, and can be withdrawn at Election time
-Linked to Liberal Belief in Pluralism - Spreading power away from the Centre. In a Democracy, there will be Free Speech and Media, along with Competition among the Parties
-Education of the Public + Political Participation has a Positive Impact on the Personal Development of the Rational Being. |
| What is a Liberal Democracy? | -A Form of Democracy that Reconciles Democracy (Universal Suffrage, Representation of the People) with Liberal Principles (Protecting Individual Rights and Pluralism)
-This is now seen across the Western World today, maybe in Decline
-Central to this is a Limited Government, which Prevents the Concentration of Power and Authoritarianism. The Limited Government can be Protected by Universal Suffrage, Free Press, PGs and Regular Elections with a Wide Choice
-A Codified Constitution like USA's is also like Gold to Liberals. Proportional Representation also is another Liberal value to uphold in a Liberal Democracy |
