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Questions and Answers
What is autocracy?
It is a form of government that is run by a single self-appointed leader, known as an autocrat.
What is liberal democracy?
It is a democratic system of government in which individual rights and freedoms are officially recognized and protected, and the exercise of political power is limited by the rule of law.
What is bourgeois?
It refers to the social middle class dominated by commercial and industrial interests.
What are the defining characteristics of a democratic regime?
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How many articles are in the Malaysian constitution?
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What must individuals do to participate in Malaysian elections?
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Citizens must be knowledgeable and educated to exercise their voting rights effectively.
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The ‘public sphere’ is the social space in which different opinions are expressed, problems of general concern are discussed, and ___ solutions are developed communicatively.
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According to Habermas, where did the development of the public sphere primarily take place?
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Since when are Malaysians aged 18 and above eligible to vote?
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The media has no role in shaping public opinion.
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What is one of the criticisms of liberal democracy mentioned in the content?
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The media functions as a channel for the ___ of political viewpoints.
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What does the term ‘manufacture of consent’ refer to?
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Study Notes
Liberal Democracy
- Definition: A democratic system where individual rights and freedoms are recognized and protected, and political power is limited by the rule of law.
- Historical context: Emerged from the bourgeois critique of autocracy in early modern Europe, culminating in the French Revolution of 1789.
- Key characteristics:
- Constitutionality: Agreed set of procedures and rules governing elections and political activities.
- Participation: A substantial proportion of citizens participate in the democratic process.
- Rational choice: Citizens have access to information and are able to make informed decisions.
Public Sphere
- Definition: A social space where different opinions are expressed, problems are discussed, and collective solutions are developed communicatively.
- Historical context: Emerged in 18th-century Britain, facilitated by newspapers and coffee-house debates.
- Key characteristics:
- Accessibility: Open to all citizens.
- Information exchange: Facts and opinions circulate freely.
- Institutional guarantees: No censorship or control.
Media and Public Sphere
- Importance of media in democracy:
- Inform citizens of current events.
- Educate citizens on the significance of facts.
- Provide a platform for public discourse and opinion formation.
- Give publicity to governmental and political institutions.
- Serve as a channel for political viewpoints.
- Criticisms of media:
- Absence of genuine choice and pluralism.
- Capitalist and power influences.
- Manufacture of consent through propaganda and manipulation.
- Limitations of objectivity in journalism.
Challenges to Democracy
- Citizen apathy and low voter turnout.
- Absence of genuine choice and pluralism.
- Capitalist and power influences.
- Manufacture of consent through propaganda and manipulation.
- Limitations of objectivity in journalism.
Social Media and Democracy
- Impact on public opinion and political discourse.
- Influence on citizen participation and engagement.
- Potential for manipulation and control of information.
References
- Brian McNair (2018) An Introduction to Political Communication.
- Federal Constitution.
- Pelaksanaan Umur Kelayakan Pengundi 18 Tahun dan Pendaftaran Pemilih Secara Automatik (PPSA).
- The Straits Times.
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Description
Test your understanding of liberal democracy, a system that protects individual rights and freedoms, and limits political power by the rule of law. Learn about its historical context, constitutionality, and participation.
