COMMENTS ARE WELCOME. Powers behind control: An essay on democracy Peter L. Hupe Department of Public Administration Erasmus University Rotterdam hupe@fsw.eur.nl To be presented at the Annual Work Conference of the Netherlands Institute of Government‚ held at Erasmus University Rotterdam‚ October 29‚ 2004 Workshop 3: Institutional Rearrangement of the Public Domain 1 Abstract In contemporary Western democracies the role of government is not what it used to be. In the public
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To what extent should we blame liberal principles for the inequalities that exist in society‚ and should these liberal values be challenged whenever possible? The source expresses the idea that liberalism has created a discrepancy between the rich and the poor‚ inequality among individuals‚ and a lack of services for the people due to little government involvement. The source believes that if the principles of liberalism were to be questioned whenever possible‚ it would lead to a more equal society
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is conducted in accordance with excellence.” (Aristotle‚ N. Ethics 1295a- 25) In terms of Democracy‚ Plato and Aristotle differ extensively. For instance‚ Plato considers Democracy as a fundamentally corrupted form of government‚ where the possession of power rests upon the will of the masses‚ which for Plato are incapable of achieving true knowledge. Conversely‚ Aristotle recognizes Democracy among the best forms of governance. However‚ he argues that democratic rule‚ if exercise in the form
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PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY From “Democracy for All‚” Street Law‚ Inc.: http://www.streetlaw.org/democlesson.html People from around the world have identified the basic principles‚ which must exist in order to have a democratic government. These principles often become a part of the constitution or bill of rights in a democratic society. Though no two democratic countries are exactly alike‚ people in democracies support many of the same basic principles and desire the same benefits from their government
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What is Democracy? There seems to be a great confusion what the word Democracy means. In spite of the fact that at least in some parts of the world one can hear it from the media every day. Democracy by definition means the government by people. That means that all the people should be able to have their say in one way another in everything that affects their lives. Dictionaries usually say that this right can either be exercised directly (by every member of a community having the possibility to
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Does "community" refer to democracy? If not‚ could it or is it too deeply embedded in the conceptual lexicon of the Romantic‚ authoritarian and racist Right? This is the question‚ one already asked by American neo-communitarianism‚ that is emerging again in Europe at the precise moment when‚ some‚ especially in France and in Italy‚ are risking thinking community anew. At issue is not only a legitimate question‚ but in some ways even an inevitable one‚ in which democractic culture deeply examines
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The article‚ “On the Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education” written by Robert Harris explains how vital and essential a liberal arts education can be in society. Liberal Arts is an area of study (literature‚ language‚ and history) that is set to give general knowledge rather than specific skills for a single profession (Merriam-Webster‚ n.d.). Skills that can be gained at a liberal arts institution include: critical and creative thinking skills‚ increased ability to learn new ideas‚ intelligent opinions
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Liberals vs. Conservatives There are two different sides in government‚ Liberals and Conservatives. Liberals believe that the government should take care of the people and that it is the government’s job to make sure every one has equal opportunity. Conservatives believe it is the government’s job to provide the freedom to pursue their goals. (Limited Government) There are three major topics that make it easier for someone to decide the best side. The three include abortion‚ same-sex marriage‚
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conservative or liberal is used to describe political and economic views and affiliations. The meaning of "conservative" or "liberal" is different in social‚ economic and political views and standings. Liberals are more open minded and believe in change. Conservatives on the other hand like to keep the old structures in place they feel there is no room for change. Conservatives value group cohesion like [family‚ race‚ religion‚ and nation] because groups evoke stability. Liberals value groups a
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Media democracy is a set of ideas advocating reforming the mass media‚ strengthening public service broadcasting‚ and developing and participating in alternative media and citizen journalism. The stated purpose for doing so is to create a mass media system that informs and empowers all members of society‚ and enhances democratic values. It is a liberal-democratic approach to media studies that advocates the reformation of the mass media with an emphasis on public service broadcasting and audience
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