Industrialized democracy
An Industrial Democracy is a stable democracy
that has lasted for a long period of time Industrial Democracies are generally formed after experiencing 4 crises: 1) Creating the Nation and State 2) Defining the role of religion in politics 3) Handling pressures for democracy 4) Managing the Industrial Revolution |
Sovereignty, authority, and power
Nationalism
Because these countries stress free thought, governmental control is limited and thereby these regimes derive their support from national pride. |
Sovereignty
Industrial democracies take root mainly in western Europe and parts of the world the Europeans colonized. These include the United States of America, Great Britain, and Japan. Constitutionalism These countries have derived their authority from established doctrines. In Great Britain's case, their authority is derived from the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Common Law, and the Constitution of the Crown. Religion Religion is another important factor in some industrial democratic regimes. Some countries separate church and state (eg: the US), but others use religion as a source of national pride and identity. Parliamentary, Semi-presidential, v. Presidential Parliamentary systems are based upon the Westminster system in Britain, where there is little separation of powers. Instead, their executive and legislative powers are fused and the chief executive is often chosen by parliament rather than by the people. The United States of America is the only country with a democratic presidential system, whereas Austria, France, Finland, and Portugal all have Semi-Presidential systems. |
Political & economic change
Gradualism
Most industrial democracies established their policies over time (rather than with sudden radical changes). In the case with Britain, power was moved from the king to Parliament and the House of Commons was formed - initiating a democracy. Industrialization All current industrial democracies experienced technological innovations in the production of goods. Industrialization has also provided for a richer and stabler economy in enabling exports. Capitalism & Wealth Industrial democracies support countries with the highest GDPs The markets are run by the people with little government intervention in what one would call a laissez-faire economy |
Citizens, society, & the State
Equality & Civil Liberties
These countries take pride in their equality, having granted civil liberties to all their citizens, including women.
These liberties include the freedom of speech, religion, association, and press (and are often defined in the constitution)
Social Cleavages
Every country will have clashing ideologies within their people.
There are conflicts of religion, politics, social class etc.
For example, people of certain political parties will form coalitions to elect public officials
Open Civil Society
The people lead independent lives with a media separate from the government
(NOT WITHSTANDING POLITICIANS IN THE MEDIA..... oh yes i did)
These countries take pride in their equality, having granted civil liberties to all their citizens, including women.
These liberties include the freedom of speech, religion, association, and press (and are often defined in the constitution)
Social Cleavages
Every country will have clashing ideologies within their people.
There are conflicts of religion, politics, social class etc.
For example, people of certain political parties will form coalitions to elect public officials
Open Civil Society
The people lead independent lives with a media separate from the government
(NOT WITHSTANDING POLITICIANS IN THE MEDIA..... oh yes i did)
political institutions
Linkage Institutions
This defines the relationship between the people and the government and helps define one's opinion of governmental policies. Competitive Elections It's in the name, a democracy for the people, by the people, and this implies that we elect our leaders in competitive elections where both oppositions have a realistic chance of winning (and no, gerrymandering is not allowed). These elections are brought about by the electoral system that governs the way elections are held. Majority Will As states above, the citizens of these countries have the right to elect (and run) for office, often forming coalitions and catch-all parties Because of majority will and competitive elections, Industrial DEMOCRACIES have LESS CORRUPTION |
public policy
Transparency
Transparency strengths the bond between the government and the people. It stresses the importance of publicly displaying government actions => LESS corruption Devolution This involves the transferring of some power to local governments, providing for a more stable, and less tyrannical society (yay less tyranny!) Rule of Law These countries have a code of laws in which the people must abide or...well good luck. say bye to your civil liberties |