Instructions For This Assignment: Read, Review, And Respond

Instructionsfor This Assignment You Will Read Review And Respond To

Instructions for this assignment, you will read, review, and respond to the Required Unit Resources article “A Critical Note on 'The Rise of Illiberal Democracy'” by Jørgen Møller. You should provide a short summary of the article and state whether you agree with the author’s main points. Make sure you address the following points in your review: describe the different types of governments and political systems; explore the various components of the American political system; identify the influences of power, authority, and legitimacy. Please note that your review should be a minimum of two pages. Use APA Style throughout, including all references and citations.

Paper For Above instruction

The article “A Critical Note on 'The Rise of Illiberal Democracy'” by Jørgen Møller offers a comprehensive critique of the contemporary conditions and conceptual challenges associated with illiberal democracies. Møller’s analysis delves into the transformation of democratic regimes into forms that, while technically democratic in procedures such as elections, lack the substantive qualities of liberal democracies, including respect for human rights, rule of law, and separation of powers. This paper provides a summary of the article’s core points, evaluates the author’s perspective, and discusses related concepts of governance and political legitimacy in the context of the American political system.

Møller begins by distinguishing between liberal and illiberal democracies. In liberal democracies, institutions and norms uphold individual rights, transparency, and checks on government power. Illiberal democracies, however, often maintain the facade of democratic processes like voting but undermine their integrity through manipulation, restrictions on opposition, and erosion of judicial independence. Møller argues that the rise of illiberal democracies poses a significant challenge to the international liberal order and threatens democratic consolidation worldwide.

A key component of Møller’s critique is his focus on how voter behavior and institutional design influence democratic quality. He emphasizes that merely holding elections does not guarantee democracy’s health if other institutional and normative elements are absent. He warns that populist leaders and majoritarian schemes can undermine democratic principles when they bypass constitutional frameworks or diminish checks and balances. This insight underscores the importance of maintaining strong institutions that can resist populist pressures and protect minority rights.

The article also explores the implications for global governance, emphasizing that the threat of illiberal regimes extends beyond national borders, affecting international stability and the legitimacy of democratic ideals. Møller calls for renewed vigilance and reform to strengthen democratic institutions and safeguard liberal principles.

In evaluating Møller’s critique, I largely agree with his assessment of the vulnerabilities inherent in modern democracies, particularly the danger posed by populist leaders who exploit democratic systems to entrench authoritarian tendencies. His emphasis on institutional robustness and normative adherence aligns with broader political science literature emphasizing the importance of checks and balances. Moreover, his analysis highlights the need for civic education and institutional reforms to bolster democratic resilience.

Understanding the different types of governments and political systems is essential to contextualize Møller’s concerns. Democracy, at its core, is a political system where citizens have the power to participate in decision-making, either directly or through elected representatives. Within democracy, variations exist: liberal democracy, characterized by the protection of individual rights and rule of law; direct democracy, where citizens vote directly on policy issues; and deliberative democracy, emphasizing discourse and consensus-building.

Authoritarian regimes, on the other hand, centralize power and limit political pluralism, often suppressing opposition and controlling information. Totalitarian systems, a more extreme form, seek to control nearly every aspect of public and private life. Hybrid regimes combine elements of democracy and authoritarianism, often maintaining formal democratic processes while undermining their substance.

The American political system exemplifies a federal republic with a strong democratic orientation. Its core components include the executive branch (headed by the President), the legislative branch (Congress, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate), and the judiciary (Supreme Court and lower courts). These branches operate under a system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Constitution enshrines these principles, fostering stability and legitimacy.

Power, authority, and legitimacy are foundational to understanding governance. Power refers to the capacity to influence or control others’ behavior, often by political actors through policies or coercion. Authority is the recognized and accepted right to wield power, which institutions derive from laws, traditions, or democratic consent. Legitimacy concerns the belief by citizens and the broader community that authority is rightful and should be obeyed, rooted in legal-rational, traditional, or charismatic legitimacy. These concepts intertwine; legitimacy is crucial for the stability of authority and the effective exercise of power. When legitimacy erodes, regimes face instability, protests, or even revolution.

In conclusion, Møller’s critique of illiberal democracies underscores the importance of safeguarding institutional integrity and democratic norms. Understanding the spectrum of government types enhances our comprehension of the vulnerabilities within democracies, especially in the context of rising populism and authoritarian tendencies. The American political system’s emphasis on checks and balances exemplifies institutional design aimed at legitimacy and stability, although ongoing vigilance is necessary to counter threats to democratic principles. Reinforcing the normative foundations of democracy remains essential for maintaining both national and international legitimacy.

References

• Brennan, G., & Jaworski, P. (2014). Government by the People: Political Power. Routledge.
• Dahl, R. A. (1989). Democracy and Its Critics. Yale University Press.
• Linz, J. J., & Stepan, A. (1996). Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America, and Post-Communist Europe. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Møller, Jørgen. (2019). A Critical Note on 'The Rise of Illiberal Democracy'. [Journal/Source details].
• Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How Democracies Die. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• O'Neil, P. (2015). Essentials of Comparative Politics. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
• Pogge, T. (2008). World Poverty and Human Rights. Polity Press.
• Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
• Ziblatt, D., & Levitsky, S. (2017). How Democracies Die. Bloomsbury Publishing.