Government and Politics - Democracy and Political Participation

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  • Created by: JM
  • Created on: 10-04-13 12:14

Democracy and Political Participation

What is democracy?

Democracy: A particular type of political system that involves to varying degrees, citizen participation. Common principles are that decisions are reached after open discussions and debate on political activity, that government is accountable to the people and that there is a free flow of information. Many modern states aspire to or claim democratic status.

Abraham Lincoln defines democracy as:

  • Government BY the people
    • Where the people themselves make the important decisions which affect them. This could also be known as direct democracy.
  • Government FOR the people
    • Whoever governs us does so in the broad interests of the people, they are not governing their own interests and cannot only concern/associate themselves with just one section of the community and should take all interests and beliefs into account and should also be accountable to the people they are representing. This

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