24 Questions
What is a characteristic of power in a democratic system?
Transparency
What is the main difference between a system with competing elites and a single power group?
The number of power groups
What is the goal of the creators of the first democratic regimes?
To destroy the hard nucleus of power
What is incompatible with democratic ideals?
The existence of oligarchies
What is the result of the presence of invisible power in a democratic system?
It corrupts democracy
What is currently being attempted in centres of power?
The extension of democratic procedures
What is a limitation of extending democratic procedures?
It is limited by stunted development
What is the current state of democratic realization?
It is partially realized
What is the primary obstacle to democracy mentioned in the passage?
The growth of the bureaucratic apparatus
In a democratic society, power is transmitted from:
The base upwards
What is the consequence of the process of democratization?
The growth of the bureaucratic apparatus
What is the primary function of the public authority in the eyes of property owners?
Protection of private property
According to the passage, what is the result of the dismantling of the Welfare State?
A reduction of democratic power
What is the relationship between democratization and bureaucratization?
They are interconnected
What is the night-watchman state also known as?
The minimal state
What is the natural right that property owners expect the state to defend?
The right to property
What is the primary reason for the over-loading of government in democratic systems?
Citizens' rapid and numerous demands
What is the main advantage of autocratic systems in responding to demands?
Their ability to make quick decisions
What is the result of the mismatch between the speed of demands and the slowness of decision-making in democratic systems?
The mechanism for inserting demands and extracting responses becomes out of phase
What is a key difference between democratic and autocratic systems in terms of demand satisfaction?
Autocratic systems are better at satisfying demands
What is the significance of the book 'The Breakdown of Democracy' by Juan Linz?
It draws on material to do with the aftermath of the First World War
What is the implication of the 'over-loading' of government in democratic systems?
It leads to the necessity for drastic choices
What is the significance of the phrase 'L'ere des tyrannies'?
It refers to the inter-war years
What is the overall tone of the author's vision for the future of democracy?
Optimistic
Study Notes
The Growth of the Bureaucratic Apparatus
- In a democratic society, power is transmitted from the base upwards, whereas in a bureaucratic society, power descends from the top.
- The process of bureaucratization is a consequence of the process of democratization, resulting in a simultaneous growth of both democratic and bureaucratic systems.
- The dismantling of the Welfare State, which required a large bureaucratic apparatus, may lead to a reduction of democratic power.
The Relationship Between Democracy and Bureaucracy
- Historically, democratic states have become more bureaucratic, as the process of democratization leads to an increase in bureaucracy.
- This is because those who have the right to vote, typically property owners, ask the public authority to perform functions, such as the protection of private property.
- This leads to the constitution of the state as an association of property owners for the defense of their natural right to property.
Democracy and Invisible Power
- Democracy is characterized by the 'visibility' or transparency of power.
- The presence of invisible power, such as oligarchies or elites, corrupts democracy.
- The existence of power groups that take turns to govern via free elections remains the only concrete form in which democratic principles have been realized.
The Limitations of Democracy
- The speed of demands made by citizens is in contrast to the slowness of the complex procedures of a democratic political system, leading to an 'overloading' of government.
- This results in dissatisfaction, as the mechanism for inserting demands into the system and the one for extracting responses are increasingly out of phase.
- Autocratic systems, on the other hand, can control demand and make decisions more quickly.
The Future of Democracy
- Despite the challenges, democratic regimes have continually enlarged their territory compared to the inter-war years.
- The growth of democracy is not a catastrophic vision, but rather a gradual expansion of democratic systems.
This quiz explores the obstacles to democracy, particularly the growth of bureaucratic apparatus and its impact on power structures in society.
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