675 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Neoliberalism, Ascribed Status, Indulgence
20 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Three Conceptions of Democracy
1. Liberal Democracy
Emerged from liberalism
Stresses the rights and liberty of the individual
Characterizes most liberal democracies
Ruled by the people, including protection of individual rights and liberties.
Majority rule must be limited as so it does not deprive individuals or minorities of their basic
civil rights.
1. Social Democracy
The key to democracy is equality, especially equal power in society and government.
Argue that liberal democracy puts poor and working classes at the mercy of the rich.
Believe that wealth creates inequality in liberal democracy (e.g. cost of campaigns)
In social democracy it is ruled by the people, requiring that every person have equal
influence over the government. E.g. one person, one vote.
To have this equal influence, social democrats believe that the distribution of power,
particularly economic power, must be more equal.
Redistribution of wealth promotes equality.
Preserve civil liberties and promote fair competition for political office.
1. People's Democracy
Closer to the Ancient Greek ideals of democracy
Rule by and in the interest of the demos (the common people)
The common people are the proletariat, and democracy will not be achieved unless
government is ruled in their interest, but this does not mean that government is run itself by
the proletariat.
Called Dictatorship of the Proletariat, described by his high and power Marx as ruling in the
interests of the working class.
The purpose of this dictatorship is to suppress capitalists (the bourgeoisie) who used their
wealth and power previously to exploit the working class
Ideally prepares the common people for a classless society
Term was adopted by the Communist Party for the benefit of the working majority.
Chinese Communist Party and other communist government have adopted the name, but
left the ideals of this democracy.
Conclusion of Chapter 2
To implement the ideals of democracy in the form of constitutions and institutions is hard,
particularly in traditionally eastern societies.
Liberal democracy, social democracy and the people's democracy are the main visions of the
democratic ideal in the modern world.
Liberalism
Split into two; neo-classical and welfare liberals
'Liberal' and 'Liberty' derived from the latin 'liber', meaning 'free'.
Early liberals wanted an open and tolerant shared society in which one could pursue their
ideas and interests with little interference
Society would be 'free'
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Liberalism, Human Nature and Freedom
Emphasis on individual liberty rests on conception of human beings as fundamentally
rational human beings.
Stress individual liberty largely because they believe that most people are capable of living
freely.
Acknowledge people have passion and desires, but they maintain that people also have
ability, through reason and rationality, to control and direct their desires.
Believe women and men are rational beings who know and understand their own interests
and, given opportunity, are capable of acting to promote their interests.
Self interest is the primary motive.
Some believe it should be given free reign, others that it needs to be carefully directed to be
good for all, most think it wisest to think of people as beings more interested in their own
good than the goodness of others.
Rational, self-interest individuals find themselves competing with one another to promote
their self-interests.
This is healthy as long as it stays within measure.
Triadic Depiction of Liberal View of Freedom
Agent: The Individual
Obstacle: laws, customs or conditions that block individual choice
Goal: live as one chooses
Promote freedom of each human as an individual
Sought to free people from a variety of obstacles that restrict their freedom
Remove social and legislative barriers to individual liberty, especially social customs, feudal
dependence and religious conformity.
Individual must be free to decide for themselves what goals they wish to pursue.
Individual is the best judge of interest, do not interfere with other's freedom to live as they
see fit.
Equality is an important element as each person is to have an equal opportunity to enjoy
liberty
No persons liberty is more important or valuable than another's
Does not mean that everyone should have equal wealth, but that everyone has equal
opportunity to succeed. From there, they must choose their own path.
Stresses competition, for to be free to compete, one must have equal footing and equal
opportunity.
Guarantee equality of opportunity within a tolerant society
Historical Background
Medieval Origins
Religious Conformity and Ascribed Status
Religious Conformity:
Freedom of religion and separation from church and state
Counter to ideals of the middle ages
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Stresses the rights and liberty of the individual. Ruled by the people, including protection of individual rights and liberties. Majority rule must be limited as so it does not deprive individuals or minorities of their basic civil rights. The key to democracy is equality, especially equal power in society and government. Argue that liberal democracy puts poor and working classes at the mercy of the rich. Believe that wealth creates inequality in liberal democracy (e. g. cost of campaigns) In social democracy it is ruled by the people, requiring that every person have equal influence over the government. To have this equal influence, social democrats believe that the distribution of power, particularly economic power, must be more equal. Preserve civil liberties and promote fair competition for political office. Closer to the ancient greek ideals of democracy. Rule by and in the interest of the demos (the common people)
