What is democracy?
Democracy isn't a standalone field, but rather a concept studied across various disciplines. Political science takes the lead, examining its structures, functions, and challenges. Philosophy explores its theoretical foundations and justifications. History analyzes its evolution and different forms throughout history.
What are the main features of democracy?
- Interdisciplinary: Draws from various disciplines to create a comprehensive understanding of democracy.
- Focus on Popular Rule: Examines how power is vested in the people and exercised through mechanisms like elections and citizen participation.
- Normative and Empirical: Analyzes the ideals of democracy (normative) and how it functions in practice (empirical).
What are important sub-areas in democracy?
- Comparative Politics: Compares different democratic systems (e.g., presidential vs. parliamentary) and their effectiveness.
- Democratic Theory: Explores different justifications for democracy, its core principles (like liberty and equality), and potential challenges.
- Political Participation: Analyzes how citizens engage in the democratic process (voting, activism, etc.).
- Democratization: Studies the