Democratic Interventions Module

Democratic Interventions Module

• This module defines and explains democracy, identifies preferred democratic practices, and analyzes their reasons
• It illustrates the benefits of democratic participation and importance of participation for democracy
• It distinguishes participatory and representative democracy and generates criteria to assess prevailing political and social institutions
• It explains the ill effects of undemocratic practices, including gender bias, poverty, marginalization, racial inequality, and cultural domination
• It conceptualizes viable alternatives to undemocratic practices and identifies ways to safeguard democracy and prevent abuse

Understanding Democracy

• Democracy is the "power of the people" derived from Greek words "demos" (people) and "kratos" (strength or power)
• In a democracy, there are no hereditary class distinctions or arbitrary class privileges
• The people hold the supreme power in a democracy and have the sovereign will
• Former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as "government of the people, by the people, for the people" in his Gettysburg Address of 1863

Types of Democracy

• Parliamentary democracy: A leading party or coalition forms a government with its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor
• Jeffersonian democracy: All male citizens are entitled to equal political opportunities; leaders are chosen by the people
• Jacksonian democracy: focuses on the needs of ordinary people, extends suffrage to those without property
• Liberal or constitutional democracy: based on free and fair elections, universal right to vote, and a competitive political process, can be monarchial or republican
• Social democracy: 19th century concept that promotes universal access to health, education, and wages; reforms capitalism through state policies