College of Education

School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 – 2016/2017

Lecturer: Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Department of Political Science

Session Overview

• This session discusses the nature of modern democracy. It highlights the features of democracy. It explains the types of democracy and examines the merits and demerits of democracy. By the end of the session, students should be able to:

• Define Democracy and explain its various types

• Identify the features of democracy

• State the merits and demerits of democracy

• Examine the claims that democracy means government of the people, for the people and by the people

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 2

Session Outline

• Defining Democracy

• Types of Democracy

• Features of Democracy

• Merits of Democracy

• Criticisms of Democracy

• Discussing the nature of modern day democracy

• Conclusion

• Review Questions

• References

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 3

Reading List

• Refer to relevant unit of the Poli 442 Social and Political Theory Module

• Iain, Mclean, Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics,(New York: Oxford University Press, 1996). Chapters 3-5.

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 4

Democracy Explained

• It is a system of government where the governing power is exercised by the people themselves whether directly or indirectly

• Abraham Lincoln defines it as Government of the People; Government for the people; and Government by the People

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG Slide 5

Types of Democracy

• Direct/ Athenian Democracy

• Indirect/ Representative Democracy

• It may be substantive where it adheres to the ideals beyond election. It is procedural when mere democratic features like elections are adhered to without giving people the chance to really choose their leaders

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG Slide 6

Features of Democracy

• Majority rule

• Rule of law

• Protection of minority rights

• Periodic Free and Fair Elections

• Transparency

• Accountability

• Popular Participation

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG Slide 7

Merits of Democracy

• Protection of rights

• Prevention of arbitrary rule

• Ensures legitimate, inclusive and sound governance.

• Ensures stable and peaceful democratic transitions.

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG Slide 8

Criticisms against Democracy

• Popular rule as a façade

• Political instability arising out of elections

• Democracy is expensive

• Oligarchic in nature

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG Slide 9

DISCUSSION

• All governments, whether democratic or dictatorships are governments of the people.

• A democratic government is a government of the people

• Similarly, a dictator is a government of the people no matter how repressive and abusive it may be in governing a country.

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG Slide 10

Discussion (Cont)

• But do governments govern for the people in the real sense of promoting the interest of the people?

• For governments to be seen as governing for the people, they must demonstrate selflessness and be seen to be identifying themselves with

the interest of the ordinary citizenry.

• There cannot be government for the people if politicians strive to protect and fight for their own interest while pussy-footing the interest

of those who elected them to power.

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 11

Discussion (cont)

• Can we have government by the people themselves?

• For a nation to have government by the people, the features of democracy as outline must all be respected and be allowed to exist.

• Election results must reflect the wishes of the people.

• There should be accountability, transparency and governmental responsiveness.

• Parliament must play a role as countervailing authority to the powers of the executive.

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 12

Discussion (Cont)

• Leaders must be frugal in spending the public purse

• These and the other allied features of democracy must be present for governments to be adjudged as governing for the people.

• How present are they in many democracies in the world, particularly in Africa?

• Is modern day democracy oligarchic? (A system of government headed by powerfully few people who are either rich, educated or famous)

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 13

Conclusion

• All governments are government of the people. However in many developing democracies, the governments do not govern in the interest of the citizenry.

• Such democracies cannot also pride themselves as “government by the people”

• Modern day democracy in many developing countries can be described as oligarchies.

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 14

Review Question

• Critically examine the features of democracy in any African country

Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS Slide 15

References

• Mclean, Iain, Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics,(New York: Oxford University Press, 1996).

• McClelland, J.S., A History of Western Political Thought, (London: Routhledge, 2002).

• Merriam, Charles, New Aspects of Politics (Chicago: University of Chicago).

Prof. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

Slide 16