1.
2.
3.
Two final categories of definitions:
substantive and process-oriented.
Raise some of the implications involved
in choosing different definitions of
democracy.
Point out things that democracy is not.



More maximalist in nature.
Demand that democratic regime must
succeed in providing outcomes that
promote equality among citizens.
Frequently democracy must extend beyond
formal politics to society and economy.

Anne Phillips (feminist): outcomes should allow
all women to have equal chance with men at
participating.
• Social and economic inequalities prevent.
• Actual participation most important measure of
democracy.

Charles Tilly: such approaches “identify
some minimum set of processes that must
be continuously in motion for a situation to
qualify as democratic”.
•Tilly: regime is “democratic to the degree that
political relations between the state and its
citizens feature broad, equal, protected, and
mutually binding consultation.”
•Democracy inheres in the processes going on
in relations between the state and citizens.
•Participatory democracy or deliberative
democracy.
•e.g. Benjamin Barber: “strong democracy in
the participatory mode.”

On one hand, want to choose a definition that
is analytically useful.
◦ Points towards more minimalist definitions.

On other hand, want to choose definition that
remains true to principles of democracy.
◦ Points towards more demanding definitions.
◦ But analytical drawbacks to maximalist substantive
definitions, and are they attainable?


Dichotomous = 2 values or categories
Continuous = a spectrum of infinite
measures, not separated into distinct
categories
1.
2.
Not necessarily capitalism or economic
freedoms.
Not necessarily more orderly, stable, or
consensual than nondemocracy.


Democracy depends on minimal coercion
and maximum consent.
Results in three constant paradoxes re:
stability:
1.
Conflict vs. consensus. There must be
disagreements and opposition in order to
allow competition…Yet not too much
disagreement!
2.
Representativeness vs. governability.
Governments must be responsive to
constituencies, yet must be able to govern
effectively.
3.
Consent vs. effectiveness.
•
•
•
•
Democracy requires consent.
Consent based on legitimacy.
Legitimacy based on effectiveness.
Effectiveness requires unpopular decisions.