Liberal Democracy
Liberal democracy, with a capitalist economy, is the only form of social organization that will work in this world. Socialism and Communism appear to be sound in theory, but would never come close to achieving what capitalism does. Liberal democracy and capitalism allow for a beneficial competition where communism does not. This competition, in the liberal tradition, on both political and economical levels, allows for the best balance of security and freedom to the people under the government. However, this liberal tradition does not take care of every problem, but it does a better job than any alternative. Competition is a necessity in this world. A more competitive market allows for a more functional government. This market generates the most wealth, making the government’s job much easier. When the government is working better, it takes care of the people better. People are most happy when they feel secure in their living environment and when they feel their liberties are protected. Liberal democracy; thereby, creates a successful foundation for liberty and security. A balance between liberty and security in a country can be achieved with political and economic competition in the liberal tradition.
When the market is at its peak of competition, the government is at its best performance. A government will work well if it has sufficient funds. The more money a government has the more tasks it can accomplish. It can build parks and restore highways, and many other things that make everyday life more enjoyable. The government depends on the economy for support. The more competitive the market is, the more wealth it acquires. The government will run better with a competitive market. This...
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... organization that will do better than a liberal democracy; all of these failed. They all failed because they don’t work, and won’t work. The system of political and economic competition is not perfect, but it the best solution compared to any other alternative. This system works better than all the others because there is no coercion. The free market thrives on voluntary choices made by the population. Competitive elections are the only way to go. There is no other method that allows the masses of people to voice their opinion; every person’s vote counts. This way the people put in office who they want, instead of putting up with someone that the government appointed. In history lies the real proof that a liberal democracy works. There is no denying the liberal democracy with a capitalist economy allows for a balance between liberty and security.
Since the resurgence of unregulated capitalism in the late 20th century, social inequalities have grown significantly, with one percent of the most powerful countries attaining more wealth than half the world (Dunklin 2). Canada’s income gap has also risen, exacerbating morbidity and mortality (Bryant 47). However, the extent that government should reduce social inequities is controversial in a liberal democracy, which prioritizes economic freedom. That being said, social inequalities may lead to wealthier individuals gaining an advantage in policy making (Bryant 54; Rein 63), undermining the liberal democratic value of political equality. Moreover, the ideal of economic freedom is shrinking in today’s global economy, which exhibits massive enterprises stifling competition and creating economic instability (Foster 2). In light of these issues, the aim of this essay is to detail how unregulated capitalism detracts from a liberal democracy by undermining political equality and economic freedom.
I believe that the Liberal view will be politically successful for the rest of the 21st century. I think that this political ideology has the people’s best interest as its main priority and that is the most important ideal of any political ideology. I feel that this ideology is on the rise instead of the decline due to that fact that its focus is on life, liberty, and property. I feel that any issue that has a strong basis for human rights will last for a long time.
Liberals see humans as both moral and rational beings, who are egotistical and altruistic as well as competitive and cooperative (Mullaly, 2007). They assume that everyone should be able to support themselves, because they are sufficiently motivated by self-development, and through this motivation they can be successful and move upwards in class status (Mullaly, 2007). The nation-state in the liberal paradigm exists to ensure fair competition, and generally acts in the best interests of society to promote harmony (Mullaly, 2007). The basic liberal belief is in equality of opportunity, which stresses that anyone can move up through the class system (indeed, they often see the class system as being “upper class”, “middle class” and “those working towards middle class”, ignoring the “low class” component of society) through hard work and individual effort, after being granted basic equality (Mullaly, 2007). Liberals are in general favour of social change that improves conditions for individual members of society, but do not see a reason to change society as a
Throughout history the world has experienced several types of socio-economies, from Mussolini’s fascism to Mao’s communism. All of those economies have its weaknesses and strengths and most have countries that can validate its effectiveness. However, to decide which economy is truly better for society, there has to be criteria on which to judge the economy’s effectiveness. So what is a society? In essence, it is a network of bonds we as human beings forged under the assumption, that working together we can all be happier than if we were only looking out for ourselves. With society, everyone is able to concentrate on what they do best, reap the benefits from the skills of others, and avoid the conflict that would arise otherwise. Thus, it follows that the ultimate goal of society is the happiness of everyone. And currently, there is only one economy that has staved off the test of time and reached that goal. Capitalism, with its merit system, flexible cost adjustments, and by having no other economic contenders is able to achieve a better society than any other socio-economic system can.
Democracy is a structured system in which government officials are elected based on a majority of votes by the people. Democracy stresses the governance by the people through their elected representatives. If you don’t think the official you elected is governing based on the reasons you voted for him, you can elect a different representative in the next election that is the beauty of democratically held elections. Its important to remember a democracy doesn’t call for socio economic equality; the equality in a democracy is that everyone has equal representation through government. In essence a democracy is something where it doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, the color of your skin everybody’s votes for elected officials are worth the exact same.
In the modern world, in order to achieve an economic justice, the government needs to create opportunities for citizens through jobs and corporations. The economy will improve, without equality, but through private ownership that will encourage economic development and innovation. Furthermore, with the jobs being given directly from private ownership, the state would not have that much power to control the freedom and welfare of the citizens. This economic system is Capitalism which is more superior than socialism, an economic system that has no private ownership and manufactures are controlled and owned by the state, in achieving economic justice.
Today, more than ever, there is great debate over politics and which economic system works the best. How needs and wants should be allocated, and who should do the allocating, is one of the most highly debated topics in our current society. Be it communist dictators defending a command economy, free market conservatives defending a market economy, or European liberals defending socialism, everyone has an opinion. While all systems have flaws and merits, it must be decided which system is the best for all citizens. When looking at both the financial well being of all citizens, it is clear that market economies fall short on ensuring that the basic needs of all citizens are met. If one looks at liberty and individual freedom, it is evident that command economies tend to oppress their citizens. Therefore, socialism, which allows for basic needs to be met and personal freedoms to be upheld, is the best economic system for all of a country’s citizens.
Representatives elected by the people through free and fair elections. A liberal democracy is a form of representative democracy. Elected representatives who hold power are limited by a constitution that emphasizes protecting individual liberties equality rights to minority groups. Many liberties protected such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to private property. Privacy, equality before the law is guaranteed through various institutions and statutory laws. Liberal democracy prevents majoritarism. The system supports free market system and the demands of goods steer the economy rather than the government. However the few elite that are chosen to represent in liberal democracy may not respect the will of the
Liberal democracies were born mainly for two reasons: limiting the arbitrary power of a state and protect the individual freedoms of every citizen with a judicial system. Thus, the main aim of a liberal democratic regime is to promote freedom. Freedom not in
Liberal Democracy is form democracy in which a representative government operates under principles of liberalism. What is meant by this is that the rights of minorities and, especially the individual, are being protected. It is characterised by fair, free and competitive elections between multiple political parties. It’s also characterised by a separation of powers into different branches of government, by the rule of law in everyday life as part of an open society, and by the equal protection of human rights , civil rights , civil liberties and political freedoms of all persons. (history learning site, 2000). Individualism is important in Liberal Democracy. All persons are perceived as unique. They have personal and distinctive qualities. Individuals have the capacity of making moral decisions by themselves, without being interfered with, (individual sovereignty). The individual owes nothing or little to anyone or society. “Liberty signifies a protected sphere of non-interference or independence under the rule of law” (garry, 1986). Liberals believe in meritocracy, as one has to use...
Most hegemonic societies are structured on the assumption that public can be classified as innately superior or inferior to each other. Differences were thus based upon biological functions, the colour of one’s skin, one’s geographical origins and even one’s professions and ways of livelihood. Such notions were challenged in the seventeenth and the eighteenth centuries when feudal traditions in the West began to be replaced with more liberal philosophy of rationalism. The spirit of liberal feminism may be traced back to the great social and political upheaval of the French Revolution. It may be identified in Mary Astell’s (1700) angry defense of women’s equality. “If absolute sovereignty be not necessary in a state how comes it to be in a family? … If all men are born free, how is it that all women born slaves?” Many liberal feminists explain women's exclusion or inequality with reference to contemporary notions of female inferiority. They argue that women are interiorised and rendered incapable of reason because of the upbringing and education of both men and ...
This essay is about a political ideology. A political ideology means a package of interrelated ideas and beliefs about government, society, the economy and human nature that inspire and affect political action (Mintz, Close, Croci 51). Each ideology has different perspective to show that how the world works. The ideology I choose is liberalism and liberalism is the best form of government. From historical view liberalism involves the struggle for individual freedom (Mintz, Close, Croci 51). I have four arguments to prove that why liberalism is the best form of government. The arguments are that liberalism government gives more economically advantage than any other government, liberalism government
...iety. The source clearly displays its perspective that liberalism should not have an influence in society blames it for the world’s inequality. The source creator believes that any type of liberalism should be avoided. In Nazi Germany, there were little or no liberal principles seen in society. The lack of liberalism could be seen as the cause for the corruption of the country and the high death toll. On the other side, labor unions were created by the idea of implementing liberal ideals into society. When labor unions became popular, the wellbeing physically and economically grew substantially. Concluding on the idea that when liberalism is present in society and the government, the people have a better way of life. It is my firm belief that in order for a nation or nation-state to be successful and have equality, liberalism must play an important role in society.
One of the first and major differences between a Communist and Democratic government is their contrary economic systems. In a communist government, the community owns the major resources and means of production. The goal of such a system is to prevent any one person or group of people from becoming radically rich, while others are extremely poor. The system attempts to eliminate lower class by balancing the wealth between rich and poor, therefore giving everyone equal pay and ownership. Unfortunately, this results in an increased lower class. However, in a Democracy, free enterprising is permitted, and smiled upon. ? Here, free enterprising helps the economy to flourish. People can organize their own businesses and receive their own profits if it succeeds, or debts if it fails. In this system, the harder a person works, the more money they receive, allowing them to ‘make ends meet.’ The downside to democracy is that people can get a high paying job through education, but may work just as hard at a lower paying job and receive less money. As Winston Churchill once said, "The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries." Generally, Democracy’s seem be more successful economically.
Government intervention occurs when markets are not working optimally i.e. there is a Pareto sub-optimal allocation of resources in a market/industry. In simple terms, the market may not always allocate scarce resources efficiently in a way that achieves the highest total social welfare.