Que) Examine the basic tenets of Liberal Democracy.
Or Discribe the main instruments of direct democracy.
Liberal Democracy
Liberal democracy is a liberal political ideology and a form of government in which representative democracy operates under the principles of classical liberalism. It is characterized by elections between multiple distinct political parties, a separation of powers into different branches of government, the rule of law in everyday life as part of an open society, a market economy with private property and the equal protection of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and political freedoms for all people. To define the system in practice, liberal democracies often draw upon a constitution to delineate the powers of government and enshrine the social contract.
The term “liberal in liberal democracy does not imply that the govemment of such a democracy must follow the political ideology of liberalism. It is merely a reference to the fact that the initial framework for modern liberal democracy was created during the Age of Enlightenment by philosophers advocating liberty. They emphasized the right of the individual to have immunity from the arbitrary exercise of authority. At present, there are numerous different political ideologies that support liberal democracy Examples include conservatism, Christian Democracy, social democracy and some forms of socialism.
Liberal democracy operates very well in the United States and Western Europe.
Basic Tenets Of Liberal Democracy
Majority Rule
One of the features of liberal-democracy is that it operates under the principle of majority rule. In the taking of major national decisions, the will of the majority is obtained though a free and fair elections Another major conduit for getting the will of the people, especially, in between general elections is a referendum.
Protection of Minority Interests
In spite of the fact that majority rule is practiced, at the same time the interests of the minority are respected and attempts are made to protect those interests. Issues are dispassionately discussed both sides where an attempt is made to arrive at a mid-point.
Preference for bi-partisan or multi-partisanship
A liberal democratic usually practices a by-party or multi-party system. This allows the parties to operate without any fear of repercussions or reprisals from any quarter
Power Sharing
Under a liberal-democracy, power is not left in the hands of a few people, it is distributed. Power operates on such principles like Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Rule of Law etc. This is to ensure that the powers of the state are not left in the one individual of group of individual
Protection of Individual Liberty
In a liberal-democracy, the constitution provides that rights of individual, such as the freedom of association, the right to life, right to own property. etc., are recognized and protected by the state.
Free Press
A liberal-democracy upholds the freedom of the press. As such, the media is given room to operate and never hijacked by the state apparatus this rights are not absolute, they must be exercised within a certain limit provided under the laws of the land. Examples of the mass media include radio, television, newspapers and more recently the internet
Pressure Groups
Under a liberal-democracy, pressure groups are allowed to freely operate without any fear of being victimized. Their main function is to keep the government on its toes and to influence their policies.
Impartial Judiciary
A liberal-democracy also makes room for an impartial judiciary. This is to ensure that when the rights of citizens are trampled upon, they can have a place to seek redress. In Ghana, the commission on human rights and Administrative justice is established by law to protect those whose rights have been abused by government officials in the discharge of their duties.