Democracy

Democracy Expansion

In a democracy, the government is the spokesperson for the people and the needs they would like to be met. The government is a group of people in the state who have the ultimate authority to act on behalf of that state. A democracy is a state in which citizens vote to choose the best candidate. Democracy derived from liberalism, which is the ideology that individuals develop their capacities to the fullest. A democracy reflects the liberal value that individuals are responsible for their own choices. Citizens can be free to run their lives as they want. Democracy requires an attitude of mind, a belief that every citizen has the right to a hearing, a sense that no doors are closed to talent and energy.

Democracy in Africa is slowly coming together, but not fast enough. 1993 was the first presidential in 10 years. Abiola won, but soon went to jail for treason and the military remains in power. The wave of democratization called “second liberation” began at the end of the cold war. Political institutions have to be built in order for Africa to become a full fledge democracy. "Most of Africa lacks the crucial educated middle class and professional classes and the mediating private and public institutions that compose a civil society”(William Pfaff). Political conflicts have brought a collapse of government of authority. The low levels of income at about $300 per year continent wide and huge trade deficits is not a good standing in moving toward a democracy. The only six countries that have seen economic growth are Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Gambia, and Burkina Faso. The United States, other western countries, and the UN have assisted in the democratization process. The United States aid has totaled 1.2 billion as of 1995, which is less than 10% of the 13.7 billion foreign aid budget.

The British Monarchy coexists with a democratic government and is based on history and tradition. A monarchy has three main parties. The Conservative Party is the government party that enforces the laws passed. The liberal party is a separate group that makes decisions to make the government act for the people. The labor party makes the decisions on which they want in th...

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...icultural groups, trade protection and cooperate as the bureaucracy and the business interests set up most public policies. This party maybe undergoing changes or may be strengthened because no clear party leadership has emerged to take the place of the LDP hegemony. One reason that Japan has one dominant party is because Japans society consists have oriented to social groups. The power of agricultural groups is one of the main reasons for Japanese- American tensions over trade. One’s family or factory or association demands intense loyalty and support. The Japanese are about politics and groups formed around political issues.

Taiwan is a country that used Japan as a mato in the government system. Taiwan has transformed over the past decade from a single party dictatorship to a fledging democracy due to the generation changes, economic influence, and native-born Taiwanese. Taiwan has a president that is head of the state and represents Taiwan in its foreign relations and at state functions. The National Assembly elects the president to six-year terms. National Assembly can declare change to the Republic of China’s border.