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RegimesRey Ty

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Source:•Michael G. Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, & Walter S. Jones. (2012). Political Science: An Introduction. New York: Pearson Longman.

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Kinds of Regimes

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Democracy

Demos

People

Kratos; Kratein

Rule; Power

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Democracy

Direct D:citizens vote

directly; referendum

Representative D: people elect representatives to make laws &

govern

Constitutional D: government

is limited

Illiberal D: regimes elected

to power but lack civil rights

& limits on gov’t

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Features of Representative Democracy

Popular accountability

Political competition

Alternation in power

Uncertain electoral

outcomes

Popular representation

Majority decisions

Right to dissent &

disobedience

Popular equality

Popular consultation

Free press

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Freedom House

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Democrcy in Practice: Elitism

Elite Theory: a small minority makes policy

decisions

Gaetano Mosca:

government aways falls into

a few

Robert Michels’ Iron Law of

Oligarchy: No matter how

democratic, a small elite runs

any organization

Robert Dahl: government is

too large & issues are too complex, no

choice but let a small group

make decisions

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Democracy in Practice: Pluralism

Interest groups drive policy

decisions

Interest groups make sure

government listens to the

people

Only a pluralist society can be

truly democratic

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Democracy in Practice: Polyarchy

Polyarchy: Interest groups compete

(pluralism), but elites run each group (elite

theory)

Arend Lijphart calls this “consociational

democracy:” elites agree among themselves on

the rules of the game & followers abide by these

rules

When elite accommodation breaks

down, conflict takes place

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TotalitarianismA political system in

which the state has total control over its citizens

Elites monopolize instruments of force,

including secret police & military

The regime controls the economy & allocates

resources

Different from dictatorship & authoritarianism, which

are regimes that seek power for individuals & cronies

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Totalitarianism

All-encompassing ideology that restructures

society

Regime promotes

official history, economy, politics, &

social development

One party system led by

one leader

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Authoritarianism

A small group governs

authoritarian regimes; usually not ideological

Not control everything;

many matters are left up to individuals,

provided they don’t threaten

the regime (culture,

economy, etc.)

Individual freedoms limited;

hierarchy, obedience, &

order are important

Courts & legislature might be

democratic but controlled by

the regime

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Authoritarianism & Developing Countries

After WW2, many new

countries were born, called themselves democracy

Many leaders thought

centralized power Is needed

for political & economic survival

Leaders thought they knew what their countries

needed & rigged elections

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Types of Authoritarianism

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*

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Democratization of Authoritarian Regimes

1) Authoritarian countries with rapid economic growth

2) Collapsed Soviet-type states with slow economic growth

When authoritarian regimes allow free markets, middle class is formed, & become

ready for democracy

Slowly, regimes ease up & allow democratic reforms

Not happening in petro-states; wealth & power in hands of a

few & delay democracy

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Why Democracies Fail

Because they come too soon; stable

democracies need large, educated

middle class

Newly enfranchised & gullible voters fall for extravagant or

extremist candidates who offer simple

solutions

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What Block Democracy

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Reference:•Michael G. Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, & Walter S. Jones. (2012). Political Science: An Introduction. New York: Pearson Longman.

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