Principles of liberal democracy

• Operating Principles of a liberal democracy include:

  • Equality of political rights
  • Majority rule
  • Political participation
  • Political freedom
• Representative Democracy: citizens elect representatives to represent them in the law-making body
• Liberal Democracy is a system of government based on popular sovereignty and the respect and protection of rights
• Tyranny of the majority is a system of government where the majority's rule is unchecked by a liberal respect for the political and legal rights of minorities
• Sovereignty refers to the authority to govern; states have the absolute right to govern within their territory and over their population without outside interference
• State Sovereignty allows a state to govern within its own territory
• Individual Sovereignty means individuals make their own choices in life
• Democracy is a form of government where people govern themselves
• 4 operating principles of political rights:

  • Equality of Political Rights
  • Majority Rule
  • Political Participation
  • Political Freedom
• Equality of Political Rights: entitlements essential to citizens' ability to take part in the conduct of public affairs
• Majority Rule: the idea that the will of the majority of citizens should be reflected in government and law, a key operating principle of a representative democracy
• Political Participation: occurs when people actively take part in their own government by using their political rights and freedoms to influence law making; ways include voting in elections and investing in government decisions
• Political Freedom: entitlements that enable people to participate in their government without intimidation, coercion, or pressure from those with power; examples include the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion