Electoral democracy: systems, participation, and representation

Electoral Democracy

Different forms of government have been tried in just about every country on Earth since the beginning of modern history, with varying successes. Out of all these processes, the "lesser" of all evils has been democracy, according to Winston Churchill. However, democracy is not perfect at all, though it seems to be a better-suited government for humankind, especially because it provides us with many freedoms. Minimal democracy is defined as the 20th century democratic political system which means that its most powerful decision-makers are selected through "fair, honest and periodic elections in which candidates clearly compete for votes and in which virtually all the adult population is eligible to vote," according to Samuel Huntington. This definition is an adequate definition for electoral democracy because it provides one with all the elements that should make up an electoral democratic process. This essay will thus provide the reader with the strengths and weaknesses of this definition and central thesis by first arguing for this definition and then arguing against it and eventually establishing that this is, in fact the correct definition for electoral democracy. [1: Huntington, S. (1991). The Third Wave. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ]

The definition for democracy includes providing fair and honest periodic elections. In the United States, where electoral democracy is the means by which we elect representatives, periodic elections happen not only every four years for the most important leader, but in between these periods for all leaders in government, starting with a mayor and continuing up through the House of Representatives and the Senate. In other words, elections are a very important part of a democratic government. This thesis thus holds a central element to what electoral democracy means. [2: Rabinowitz, G. & MacKuen, M. (2006). Electoral Democracy. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.]

Another strength of this definition is its mention that representatives are elected through fair and competitive elections in which most of the adult population can vote. This is vital for a democracy to prosper. The adult population must be all inclusive and must definitely have the right to vote, for only this can make it equal. Furthermore, the representatives to government must compete for votes by participating in town hall meetings or debates. A third point this definition makes, which further strengthens it is that the elections must be fair. Indeed, without fair elections one does not have a true democracy. [3: Kallen, H. (1997). Culture and Democracy in the United States. Berrue Circle: Transaction Publishers.]