The Future of Democracy: Bureaucratic Apparatus

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of power in a democratic system?

Secrecy

Corruption

Autonomy

Transparency (correct)

What is the main difference between a system with competing elites and a single power group?

The existence of free elections

The number of power groups (correct)

The method of governance

The level of corruption

What is the goal of the creators of the first democratic regimes?

To destroy the hard nucleus of power (correct)

To establish an autocratic system

To create an oligarchy

To promote elite competition

What is incompatible with democratic ideals?

The existence of oligarchies Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the presence of invisible power in a democratic system?

It corrupts democracy Signup and view all the answers

What is currently being attempted in centres of power?

The extension of democratic procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of extending democratic procedures?

It is limited by stunted development Signup and view all the answers

What is the current state of democratic realization?

It is partially realized Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary obstacle to democracy mentioned in the passage?

The growth of the bureaucratic apparatus Signup and view all the answers

In a democratic society, power is transmitted from:

The base upwards Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the process of democratization?

The growth of the bureaucratic apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the public authority in the eyes of property owners?

Protection of private property Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is the result of the dismantling of the Welfare State?

A reduction of democratic power Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between democratization and bureaucratization?

They are interconnected Signup and view all the answers

What is the night-watchman state also known as?

The minimal state Signup and view all the answers

What is the natural right that property owners expect the state to defend?

The right to property Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the over-loading of government in democratic systems?

Citizens' rapid and numerous demands Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of autocratic systems in responding to demands?

Their ability to make quick decisions Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between democratic and autocratic systems in terms of demand satisfaction?

Autocratic systems are better at satisfying demands Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the 'over-loading' of government in democratic systems?

It leads to the necessity for drastic choices Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase 'L'ere des tyrannies'?

It refers to the inter-war years Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall tone of the author's vision for the future of democracy?

Optimistic Signup and view all the answers

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.