Understanding Democracy Types and State Models
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Forms of Government and State Models
Democracy
Form of government where sovereignty resides directly with the citizens in the Assembly, where decisions are made through their direct participation.
Representative Democracy
Form of government where the people delegate their power to elected representatives through universal suffrage. Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Problems in Modern Democracy
Voter Abstention
Represents a loss of trust by citizens in political parties and their faithful representation of citizen interests. Citizens often feel betrayed and consequently abstain from voting.
Participatory Democracy
A political project seeking to increase citizen participation and democratic control over power structures by combining methods of direct and representative democracy.
Democratic State of Law
A state model emerging from 20th-century Liberal Revolutions. It recognizes national sovereignty, separation of powers, universal suffrage, political pluralism, and extensive declared rights and freedoms.
Welfare State
A state model developed after World War II in Europe. It is a democratic state of law that also aims to ensure fair and decent living conditions for citizens, building a system that combines economic growth and social progress.
Summary of Key Concepts:
- Democracy: The political system in which sovereignty rests with the people.
- Direct Democracy: Citizens are directly involved through the Assembly; decisions are made by citizens.
- Representative Democracy: Citizens participate through regular elections to elect representatives who make decisions and represent the people.
- Participatory Democracy: Citizens participate directly and permanently in several ways; decisions are made by citizens.
Foundations of the Rule of Law:
National sovereignty, separation of powers, bill of rights and freedoms, and a constitution.
Democratic State Characteristics:
Political pluralism and universal suffrage.
Welfare State Function:
State intervention in the economic system to ensure decent and fair living conditions.