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Majoritarianism is a political philosophy or agenda that asserts that the majority of a population should have the authority to make decisions that affect society. It often raises concerns about the potential for the majority to disregard the rights and needs of minority groups, leading to a 'tyranny of the majority'.
Tyranny of the majority is a scenario in a democratic system where the majority enforces its will on a disadvantaged minority, potentially leading to oppression and injustice. It highlights the tension between majority rule and individual rights, emphasizing the need for constitutional safeguards to protect minority interests.
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Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. It is characterized by principles such as equality, freedom, and participation, ensuring that all citizens have a voice in decision-making processes.
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Pluralism is a framework that acknowledges and values the coexistence of diverse perspectives, beliefs, and cultural practices within a society or system. It emphasizes dialogue and mutual respect among different groups, aiming for a harmonious coexistence without forcing conformity or assimilation.
Minority rights are essential for ensuring that individuals belonging to ethnic, religious, or linguistic minorities can maintain their unique cultural identities while enjoying equal protection and participation within a society. These rights are crucial for fostering social cohesion, preventing discrimination, and promoting equality and justice in multicultural societies.
Electoral systems are the mechanisms by which votes are translated into political power, significantly impacting the nature of representation and governance within a democracy. They vary widely across the world, influencing party systems, voter behavior, and the overall political landscape in profound ways.
Political representation is the activity of making citizens' voices, opinions, and perspectives 'present' in public policy making processes. It involves elected officials acting on behalf of their constituents, balancing the need for accountability with the autonomy to make informed decisions for the common good.
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Populism is a political approach that seeks to disrupt the existing social order by rallying the common people against the perceived elite or establishment. It often involves charismatic leadership, appeals to nationalism, and promises to return power to the ordinary citizen, sometimes at the expense of democratic norms and institutions.
Social contract theory posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of a ruler or government in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. This theory serves as a foundational concept in political philosophy, explaining the origin of society and the legitimacy of state authority over the individual.
Majority rule is a fundamental principle of democratic governance where decisions are made based on the preference of more than half the members of a group or society. It ensures that the largest number of people have their interests represented, but it can also lead to the marginalization of minority groups if not balanced with protections for minority rights.
Deliberative Democracy is a form of democracy in which deliberation is central to decision-making, emphasizing the role of discussion and argumentation in reaching consensus. It aims to create more informed and legitimate decisions by involving diverse perspectives and encouraging public reasoning among citizens and representatives.
Democratic Theory explores the principles and practices that define democracy, focusing on how power and decision-making are distributed among citizens. It examines the balance between majority rule and minority rights, aiming to create systems that are both fair and effective in representing diverse interests.
Majority-rule voting is a decision-making process where the option receiving more than half of the votes is selected. It is widely used in democratic systems to ensure that the choice reflects the preference of the majority of participants.
At-large voting is an electoral system in which representatives are elected by the entire voting population of a region rather than from individual districts. This system can lead to greater representation for the majority group while potentially marginalizing minority voices, as it often results in a winner-takes-all outcome.
Religious nationalism is the fusion of religious and national identities, where a nation's political and cultural identity is deeply intertwined with a specific religion, often leading to policies that favor the dominant religious group. This phenomenon can strengthen social cohesion within the dominant group but may also marginalize minority groups and escalate conflicts based on religious and national identities.
Vote wastage refers to the phenomenon where votes do not contribute to the election of a candidate, either because they are cast for losing candidates or are surplus votes for winning candidates beyond what is necessary to win. This can lead to unequal representation and is often discussed in the context of electoral systems like first-past-the-post, where the distribution of votes can significantly impact the overall outcome despite the popular vote.
Consent of the governed is a foundational principle of democratic governance, asserting that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and legal only when consented to by the people it governs. This principle underpins the idea that authority is derived from the will of the people, typically expressed through free and fair elections and active civic participation.
Direct election is a democratic process in which voters directly cast ballots for candidates or parties they wish to elect to a specific office, rather than through an intermediary body. This method is often seen as a way to enhance accountability and representation, as it reflects the direct will of the electorate.
First-past-the-post voting is an electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority. This system often leads to a two-party system and can result in 'wasted votes' and lack of proportional representation.
Direct democracy is a form of government in which political decisions are made directly by the entire body of eligible citizens, rather than by elected representatives. This system emphasizes active participation and engagement from the populace in decision-making processes, often through mechanisms like referendums and initiatives.
Electoral bias refers to the systematic advantage or disadvantage that a political party or candidate experiences in an electoral system, often due to factors like district boundaries, voting rules, or demographic distributions. It can lead to outcomes where the distribution of seats does not accurately reflect the popular vote, thus impacting the perceived fairness and legitimacy of elections.
Presidentialism is a system of government where the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch, and the president is both the head of state and government, elected independently of the legislature. This system often emphasizes the separation of powers, checks and balances, and a fixed term for the president, which can lead to both stable governance and potential gridlock between branches.
Legislative representation refers to the process and structure through which elected officials act on behalf of their constituents in legislative bodies, ensuring that diverse interests and perspectives are considered in the creation of laws and policies. Effective representation is characterized by accountability, responsiveness, and inclusivity, which are essential for maintaining democratic legitimacy and trust in governance.
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Vote share refers to the percentage of total votes that a candidate, party, or option receives in an election, reflecting their level of support among the electorate. It is a crucial metric for understanding electoral outcomes, influencing political strategy, and analyzing the distribution of political power within a democratic system.
A supermajority requirement is a rule that stipulates a proposal must receive a higher threshold than a simple majority, often two-thirds or three-fifths, to be approved. This mechanism is used to ensure broader consensus for significant decisions, preventing major changes from being made without substantial support.
Communalism refers to a socio-political ideology that emphasizes the division of society into distinct religious or ethnic communities, often leading to conflict and tension. It can undermine national unity by prioritizing communal identity over common citizenship, potentially resulting in violence and discrimination against minority groups.
A public referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal, often resulting in the adoption or rejection of a new law or policy. It serves as a tool for direct democracy, allowing citizens to express their opinion on specific issues rather than through elected representatives.
Constituency representation is a democratic system where elected officials represent specific geographic areas, ensuring that the interests and needs of local populations are addressed in legislative bodies. This system aims to balance national governance with local accountability, fostering a direct link between constituents and their representatives.
A multi-party system is a political system in which multiple political parties across the political spectrum run for national election, and all have the capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition. This system often leads to a more representative and diverse political landscape, but can also result in fragmented governance and the need for coalition-building.
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