3) a) Political democracy requires three key elements to be present in making co

Question

3) a) Political democracy requires three key elements to be present in making collective choices, namely, liberty, participation, and equality. Explain how these three elements are present in the liberal conception and the populist conception of democracy? 2 b) Explain Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem in the theory of social choice? What implications does it have for the coherence of the liberal versus populist conceptions of democracy? c) Why does Isiah Berlin think populist democracies are ultimately dictatorships?

Explanation / Answer

Ans (a) Liberal democracy is a political ideology which there is a free, fair and competitive elections between the multiple distintcs political parties and a separation of powers into different hands of the Government, a part of open society and equal protection of different rights such as Human rights , Civil rights and political freedom to all people.After the 20th century the liberal democracy became a prominent part in the political system of the world.

As according to the role of liberty in democracy it is very crucial and a core element to be present in democracy. It stresses on the importance of equality. Without liberty there can be no democracy. Its the base on which a country's democratic elements depend upon.The fundamental elements of modern society have liberal roots. Liberals established a constitutional order that prized important individual freedom such a sthe freedom of speech. Therefore, political democracy involves liberty.

Participatory democracy focus on thebroad participation of the individuals in the direction and operation of the political system It involves the participation of all the citizens of a particular countery to take part in decision making, it seeks to broaden the range of people who have access to such opportunities. Effective increasing the role of participation in democracy can lead to the development of an individual leading to the development of the society and a country as a whole. It basically refers to those voluntary activities by which the members of the society share in the selection of rulers, directly or indirectly in the formation of a public policy. Thus, it is necessary that participation should me there for a better political democracy.

Democracy is usually associated with equality.Equality can only be achieved when one changes his attitudes and start treating every individual with respect and dignity. Equality means the equal rights given to all the members in the nation. No person shall be discriminated on the grounds of caste, gender, religion, race, language, status, etc. Everyone has the right to get their individual dignity in the society. Hence, without equality there can be no political democracy.

The three elements viz. liberty. participation and equality is very crucial and important for political democracy to function. These are the basis of political democracy.

Ans (b) The Arrow's Impossibility theorem is the social choice paradoxshowing an impossibility of having an ideal voting structure that is of fairness criteria. This theorem tells that a clear order of prefernces cannot be determined while adhering to mandatory principles of fair voting procedures.For example :

Consider the following situations where voters were asked to ranked their prefernces of candidates A,B and C

. 45 votes A>B>C (45 people prefer A over B and prefer B over C)

. 40 votes B>C>A (40 people prefe B over C and prefer C over A)

. 30 votes C>A>B (30 people prefer C over A and prefer A over B)

Candidate A has the most votes, so he/she would be the winner. However, if B was not running, C could be the winner, as people prefer C over A.( A would have 45 votes and C would have 70 votes). This result is demonstration of Arrow's theorem.

Ans (c) According to Isiah Berlin," there is a shoe in shape of populism, but no foot that will fit into it." Isain Berlin was of the opinion that populist democracies can lead to dictatotships. This means that populism emergence and success is usually connected with crisis of democratic systems. People do not feel anymore that they can voice their dissatisfaction effectively, or thatb their interest is the imporatnat factor for elites in power. Populism can be seen only as a threat to the democracy. It can be seen as a salvation or even challenge for the democratic system. It leads to dictatorships which in turn can cause a negative impact on any particular economy. Therefore, Isoah Berlin was of the opinion that populist democracies are ultimately dictatoships.

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