The Basic Concepts of a Liberal Democratic Theory of the State

The Basic Concepts of a Liberal Democratic Theory of the State

Liberalists believe that everybody is free and equal and has the same

rights and choices as anyone else. This is best summed up in the

Constitution of the U.S.A., which states "all men are created equal".

In a modern Liberal democracy people enter in to a contract with those

who govern them for a fixed period of time. In the U.K. this is set at

5 years although the government can choose to call an election at any

time throughout this period. The government is not permitted to break

this "contract" and cannot stay in power for any longer than 5 years

without an election being held. Once an election is called all of the

main political party's campaign to try and win support from the

voters. Anybody over the age of 21 who is a citizen of the country or

commonwealth may also choose to nominate themselves to be a candidate

in an election even if they are not a member of a political party.

(Some restrictions apply) To ensure than there are no time wasters,

candidates are requested to pay £500 before an election and they get

it back if they win a 5% of the vote. A Liberal democracy also has to

be representative so that all areas of the country and people from

different backgrounds, race, religion should have some form of

representation in parliament. During an election, people have the

right to choose who they want to be elected and should be under no

pressure or influence to vote for somebody they don't want to. Men and

women over the legal age limit (18) have the right to one vote each,

provided they are on the electoral register although certain people

such as members of the...

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the principles of everybody being free and equal and having the

opportunity to do something about a government that is not

representing the publics best interests. It can also be seen that

elections should be free and fair and the governments must also follow

rules (constitutions). It can also be seen that there are many

different countries that adopt this style of "State" although none of

them are exactly the same as the U.K has an unwritten constitution

whereas the U.S.A. has a written constitution. In a Liberalist State,

it can also be found that the media and pressure groups can influence

the government as well as the voters. Overall it can be seen that this

"State" wants people to be represented by a government that cannot do

whatever it feels is best as they will be voted out at the next

election.