Democratic Interventions

• Actions taken by governments, organizations, or

international bodies to support, promote, or restore
democracy in a country.
Types of Interventions

✓Diplomatic Pressure Encouraging governments to hold free elections

and respect human rights.
✓Economic Sanctions - Penalizing regimes that violate democratic
principles.
✓Support for Civil Society - Funding and training for NGOs, media, and
activists to strengthen democracy.
Global Trend Toward Democracy

• Since the late 20th century, there has been a worldwide trend of
countries moving toward democracy.
• Democratic interventions often follow this trend, supporting
countries transitioning from authoritarianism to democracy.
Rise of International Norms

• It’s now a trend for international

organizations (like the UN, EU, and
NGOs) to promote democracy as a
global norm.
• Interventions reflect this trend by
pushing governments to adopt
democratic principles.
Trend of Hybrid Regimes and Illiberal Democracies
• As some countries move toward illiberal democracy, democratic
interventions adapt as a response, trying to reverse or improve
these trends.
 What is Democracy?
Understanding the Meaning, Types, and Principles of Democracy
Derived from Greek:
O Demos – "people"
O Kratos – "power"
•Definition: "Power of the people"
• “Democracy is government of the people,
by the people, for the people.”—
Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address,
1863
The Three Pillars of Democracy
• By the people - Citizens elect their leaders and representatives
• Of the people - Government represents rational, living beings; laws made by
people
• For the people - Government actions must promote the common good, human
rights, and equality
Key Characteristics of Democracy
• No hereditary or arbitrary class privileges
• Power lies with the people

• Contrasts
o Absolute monarchy: One person holds all power
o Oligarchy: Power rests with a few individuals
 Two Types of Democracy
• Direct Democracy:
o Citizens directly vote on laws,
governance
o Example: Plebiscite to create a province
• Representative Democracy:
o Citizens elect officials to represent them
o Examples: Electing congressmen,
councilors, president
Feature Direct Representative
Democracy Democracy
Who makes Citizens Elected
decisions? themselves representatives
Practical for No Yes
large countries?
Example Ancient Athens India, U.S., U.K.
Five Criteria for Democracy (Robert Dahl)
• To function effectively, democracy must meet 5 criteria:
1.The People (Demos)
2.Control of the Agenda
3.Enlightened Understanding
4.Effective Participation
5.Equality in Voting
1. The People (Demos)
• All adult citizens (18+) should register and participate
• Right to vote and be involved in setting government agendas
2. Control of the Agenda
• Citizens influence what issues are discussed
• Leaders represent people's will (e.g., law-making by elected officials)
3. Enlightened Understanding
• Citizens must have access to information to make informed choices.
• E.g. During ECQ, people followed guidelines and helped hospitals
4. Effective Participation
• Citizens should actively participate in political and social processes.
• Political - Voting, attending forums, running for office
• Social - Volunteering, joining community programs
5. Equality in Voting
• All votes are equal: 1 person = 1 vote
• No discrimination based on status, appearance, or background
 Modern Democracy Miranda et al. (2011)
• Modern political democracy is a system of governance where
rulers are held accountable by citizens
• Accountability is exercised
o Through competition and cooperation of elected
representatives
o Through civil society involvement
• Goal: Progressive improvement in quality of life within 50
years of democratic transition
Key Feature: Contested Elections

• Democracies fill government offices through contested

elections
• Two main components:
o Offices: Executive and legislative offices must be filled by
election
o Contestation: Existence of opposition with a real chance
to win
Four Democratic Rules (Requirements)

1.Chief executive chosen by popular election or elected body

2.Legislature must be popularly elected
3.More than one political party must compete
4.Power must alternate under the same electoral rules
Tenets/Principles of Democracy

1.Popular sovereignty and representative governance

2.Political participation and popular control
3.Political equality and freedom
4.Rule of law
5.Public accountability
Advantages of Democracy (1/2)

1. Prevention of tyranny - Avoids dictatorship through representation

2. Protection of rights - Ensures fundamental human rights
3. Guarantee of freedom - Supports personal and religious freedom
4. Self-protection - Safeguards personal and property rights
5. Self-determination - People choose their life paths
Advantages of Democracy (2/2)
6. Moral autonomy - Encourages ethical decision-making
7. Human development - Promotes education and health
access
8. Restriction of inequality - Fights injustice and exploitation
9. Peacekeeping - Promotes diplomatic conflict resolution
10. Promise of prosperity - Offers growth opportunities and
support systems
 Types of Democracy
• Parliamentary Democracy
- A democratic form of government that began
in Great Britain.
• Key Features
• Leading party or coalition forms the government.
• Leader becomes the Prime Minister or Chancellor.
Presidential Democracy
• Executive and Legislative Branches
are separate
• President is elected separately
 Jeffersonian Democracy
• Originator: Thomas Jefferson
• Key Ideas
• Equal political opportunities for all male
citizens.
• Leadership by the most capable
individuals, elected by the people.
Jacksonian Democracy

• Symbol: Andrew Jackson

• Focus:
• Addressed the needs of
ordinary people.
• Opposed elitism and promoted
common citizen involvement.
• Extended suffrage to non-
property-owning men.
Liberal or Constitutional Democracy
• Principles:
• Free and fair elections
• Universal suffrage
• Open political competition
• Forms:
• Constitutional Monarchy: Monarch’s
power is limited (e.g., UK)
• Constitutional Republic:
• Federal: States govern themselves but
are united (e.g., USA)
• Unitary: Strong central government
(e.g., France)
Social Democracy

• Era of Origin: 19th Century

• Focus
• Reforming capitalism
• Promoting access to education, healthcare, and
fair wages
• Government regulation for social welfare
ILLIBERAL/AUTHORITARIAN DEMOCRACY
• Elections exist, but civil liberties
and political freedoms are
limited
SOME PREFERRED DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES

• Explains why people choose to engage in these democratic

activities
A. Suffrage for Eligible Citizens and Qualified
Voters
• Elections happen periodically in the Philippines
• Candidates must meet Commission on Elections requirements
• Eligible voters: 18+, male/female, all ethnicities and social classes
• Voters must register with the Commission on Elections
• Suffrage = right to vote, allowing people to exercise sovereignty by
choosing leaders
B. Protest Against Election Fraud

• Election fraud includes vote buying and result manipulation

• Citizens must be vigilant and report fraud
• Protests help stop unfair elections and promote clean democratic
processes
C. Communicating with Local Government
Officials
• Citizens express opinions on local/national issues
• Propose projects and suggest community activities
• Voice opposition to misconduct and policies
• Maintains a healthy democratic nation through active civic
engagement
D. Public Assembly and Consultation

• Republic Act 880 (“Public Assembly Act of 1985”) protects peaceful

assembly rights
• Allows rallies, demonstrations, marches, public meetings, parades
• People express opinions, protest, or air grievances publicly
• Supports democratic ideals and freedom of expression
E. Conduct of a Plebiscite to Amend the
Constitution
• Constitutional changes require public approval via plebiscite
• Plebiscite = electoral process to accept or reject amendments
• Majority vote needed for ratification
• Ensures people participate directly in important political decisions
UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICES IN
DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS
• Oppressive acts that curtail human rights and freedom
1. GENDER BIAS
• Preference for male children in many traditional societies
• Females receive fewer rights and privileges
• Gender bias: prejudicial attitudes toward males or females
2. Wealth Distribution and Poverty
• Widening gap between rich and poor
• Unequal income distribution causes poverty
• An undemocratic social practice affecting economic fairness
3. Race Relations, Suffrage, and Political
Marginalization
• Discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, socioeconomic
status
• Some groups excluded from voting or running for office (e.g.,
disabled, minorities)
• Political marginalization: being pushed to society’s fringes with less
power
4. Cultural Domination, Representation, and
Politics of Recognition
• Cultural communities face crises of representation
• Indigenous peoples often treated as less important
• Loss of identity recognition and political voice