Overvie

Assign
authorit
y?
Exampl
es

Liberal Democracies
- Widely accepted form of
government today;
- Rule by the People
Athens and
Representative
Democracy Romans
- Modern democracies are a
mix of roam version +
women and slaves + some
form of direct democracy
such as referendums
Using elections within a broad
framework of liberal rights

Authoritarianism
- Not as common today
anymore
- Leaders do not pretend to
respect individual rights or
legal processes
- Tend to justify authority
using traditional or
charismatic principles

US, France

Nazi Germany, Stalins Soviet

Union and Maos China
Variations
- Monarchy
Hereditory Ruler (with
some divine
endorsement). Least
powerful form of
authoritarianism (only
absolute power in 6
countries today); Not likely
to form more.
- Theocracy
Religion is the leading
principle. Iran is the only
quasi-theocracy today.
Rules on charismatic
legitimacy. Not likely to
form more (Irans
performance is poor)
- One-Party Regime
Most robust examples
today. Based on
charismatic ideology
where other parties and
movements are banned.
Current examples are
China, Vietnam, North
Korea, Cuba (all built
around communist
ideology). Regimes have
broad organisational
bases, and how successful
they are depends on
generations of
indoctrination

Importance of Rights
- Rights support meaningful
representation
- Individual Rights
Allow all to participate in
voting, express views and
mobilise politically.
Prevents representatives
from curtailing rights once
elected
- Universal Suffrage
Extension of voting rights
without restrictions (such
as gender, race or beliefs)
Same rights support
contestation
- Running for office requires
rights to meet, speak,
raise money
- Rights ensure that groups
in power do not harass
opponents or restrict
contestation in future
- Tyranny of the majority
can become a problem
(nazi Germany)

In

Rights are written into

constitutions; are
intentionally difficult to
amend and enforced by
impartial courts.
Strength: Rational-Legal

Controls every aspect of citizens

lives

Practice

Logic of Rule by Common

People

Stable liberal democracies

are hard work:
- Respected legal structure
- Rights take a long time to
be recognized
- Only about 30 countries
qualify as full liberal
democracy (there is a
wide spectrum from full to
barely qualify like Serbia)
- Sustain through traditional
themes and effectiveness
- People support the
rational-legal justification
and democratic ideals, but
having shared identity and
material comforts help.

Critique
s or in
defense

For example:
- Constitutional Monarchies:
Monarch personify
national traditions, ritual
and pride (UK, Japan, DK)
while elected leaders have
political authority
- Countries without
monarchs: Use flags,
parades and leaders often
use traditional and
nationalist rhetoric
Cons: Difficult to Sustain
Most stable liberal democracies
are rich (high quality of life) but
easy to break down in the
context of poverty.
Money skews the system
Wealthy can influence elections,
buy better legal counsels etc.
Modern liberals
Government should act to ensure
disadvantaged citizens are not
excluded from benefits of liberty
Conservatives
Draw on religious or traditional

Dictatorship
Least principled form of
authoritarianism. Usually
involves a charismatic
leader with some
nationalistic themes.
Dictators claim to
unlimited authority less
effective than others.
Claims are extreme and
based on effectiveness
(Assads of Syria argue that
the country will be
overwhelmed by problems
otherwise); Rise of military
leaders
Arise during periods of
instability
Seek legitimacy through
elections.
Only Fiji currently qualifies

Use other tools to build

support and compliance
- Cult of Personality:
Propaganda of personal
worship
- Brutal Secret Police
- Nationalist Propaganda
Most authoritarian regimes
provide services to citizens
- Fall of Assads regime in
Syria may not benefit
Syrians much
- Government in China is
popular due to economic
boom
-

Exceptions are

values to promote morality

Concerned about runaway
expansions of rights (abortions,
gay rights, feminism etc)

kleptocracies: Government
officials who take
advantage of corruption to
extend personal wealth
and political power at the
expense of the population