POL101Y1 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Uncertainty Principle, Liberal Democracy, Party System
Document Summary
Dickerson, flanagan, o"neill, (cid:498)elections and electoral systems(cid:499) (cid:523)(cid:854)(cid:852)(cid:853)(cid:852)(cid:524) Process of electing public officials is central to liberal democracy. Competitive political elections are the basis of democratic legitimacy. If an elected government repeatedly ignores the will of most citizens on important issues, it is likely that mass demonstrations and violent protests may occur. Replacement of traditional authority with legal authority resulted in the collapse of traditional theories of obligation based on will of god or inherited positions. Democratic elections provide an alternative theory of obligation that is compatible with legal concept of authority. Greatest strength of liberal democracy may be the sophistication with which it links its rulers and the ruled elections! Number of conditions must be present for elections to link rulers with the ruled: must occur at regular intervals under free and fair conditions. Ranges from every two years to every seven years depending on country.
