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Essay
2009
The modern society makes a clear distinction between democracy and authoritarianism. The primary goal of this research is today there’s a very thin line between democracy and authoritarianism.
The word “democracy” has a Greek origin and literally means “the people to rule” (Encarta, 2005). In today’s world we often hear that democracy is good and authoritarianism is bad. However, things aren’t always black and white. The concept of democracy nowadays, in spite of the common traits, differs very much from the direct democracy of the ancient Greeks. Today, all people are considered to be equal, women have political rights, and slavery has been abolished. The citizens have the right to elect their representatives in the government.
The origins of modern democracy date back from 1643 with the first popular revolt against monarchy in England (Encarta, 2005). The events after that rebellion lead to the adoption of constitutions limiting the power of the monarch by the end of 19th century. In most monarchies a representative body was constructed. The most popular model of such institution was the British Parliament (Encarta, 2005). The events from the 20th century led to major changes in the political map of the world. Many countries abandoned the monarchist model and established republics instead.
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In conclusion: the subject of discussion cannot be whether to choose democracy or authoritarianism, because today they’re almost the same. Never has been before such resemblance between them since the events from 11 September 2001. The governments of countries, which are democratic in general, are trying to create new rules in order their national securities to be protected. However, this just leads us to a new form of the authoritarianism. (Perhaps after fifty or sixty years it will have its definition in the history books.) We must not excuse the denial our liberties and legal rights due to matters of national security.
Bibliography:
1. "Absolutism." Microsoft® Encarta® 2006 [DVD] (2005). Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation
2. Albright, M. & Weber, V. (2005) In Support of Arab Democracy: Why and How?, USA: Council on Foreign Relations
3. Aspden, P. (2004) Selling Democracy, British Council
4. "Autocracy." Microsoft® Encarta® 2006 [DVD] (2005). Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation
5. Bilan, A. (1919) A Proletarian Dictatorship vs. Parliamentarism, USA: The Ohio Socialist (58), p.4, also available at: http://www.marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1919/0305-bilan-proldictvsparl.pdf [Accessed: 30 August 2009]
6. Craner, L. and Wollack, K. (2008) New Directions for Democracy Promotion, USA: International Republican Institute
7. Tavares, J. and R. Wacziarg (2001), “How democracy affects growth”, European Economic Review (45), 1341–1378.
8. http://www.fee.org/pdf/the-freeman/July-Aug%2006%20Bovard.pdf [Accessed: 30 August 2009]
9. http://www.openthegovernment.org/govtsecrecy.pdf [Accessed: 30 August 2009]
10. "Democracy." Microsoft® Encarta® 2006 [DVD] (2005) Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation
11. "National Socialism" Microsoft® Encarta® 2006 [DVD] (2005). Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation
Темата е разработена 2009 г.
Не съдържа таблици.
Ключови думи:
democracy, authoritarianism, modern society, political rights, national security, power of the monarch, liberties and legal rights
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