Application: Critiques of Democracy, assignment help
We're the ideal place for homework help. If you are looking for affordable, custom-written, high-quality and non-plagiarized papers, your student life just became easier with us. Click either of the buttons below to place your order.
Order a Similar Paper
Order a Different Paper
The United States often is singled out as a shining example of
democratic governance; however, the U.S. system of governance is not
immune to criticism. Scholars from the right and the left point out
flaws in the U.S. system from its founding to its present state. An
interesting feature of democratic governance is that loyal opposition
and dissent are built into the system. Some democracies, including the
United States, have benefited greatly from those who criticized the
status quo. Not everyone who criticizes aspects of a democratic system
is a detractor. On the other hand, not all criticisms are valid. In
fact, some criticisms may be destructive or easily refuted. One asset of
democratic systems is the ability to improve and reform successfully
when faced with a legitimate criticism. Evaluating which criticisms
provide an adequate justification for reform is a more difficult task.
To prepare for this Assignment:
- Review
the article “Democracy, Nationalism and Culture: A Social Critique of
Liberal Monoculturalism” in this week’s Learning Resources. Take note of
critiques of democracy in the article. - Review the articles “Plato’s Criticisms of Democracy in the Republic”
and “Is Democracy Possible?” in this week’s Learning Resources. Pay
particular attention to dissenting arguments about democracy. - Think about why critiques of democracy might be an important element of democratic governance.
- Reflect on the role of critiques of democracy in reforming and improving democratic governance.
- Using
the knowledge you have gained from this course, the Learning Resources
for this week, and/or your own research on democracy, select two
critiques of democracy for this Assignment. - Consider (as they
relate to governance and public policy) the validity of the critiques,
their constructive or destructive nature, and how they might be
rebutted.
The Assignment (3–5 pages):
- Briefly describe the two critiques of democracy that you selected.
- Evaluate them as follows (as they relate to governance and public policy):
- Explain why and how the critiques might be valid and constructive.
- Explain why and how the critiques might be invalid and destructive.
- Explain how you might refute or support these critiques.
- Share insights and/or draw conclusions based on your evaluation of critiques of democracy.
Support
your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its
preparation while adhering specifically to APA style of reference.
Readings
- Gilley, B. (2009). Is democracy possible? Journal of Democracy, 20(1), 113–127.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. - Santas, G. (2007). Plato’s criticisms of democracy in the Republic. Social Philosophy and Policy, 24(2), 70–89.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. - Conversi, D. (2007). Democracy, nationalism and culture: A social critique of liberal monoculturalism. Social Compass, 2(1): 156–182. Retrieved from http://www.researchgate.net/publication/227683178_Democracy_Nationalism_and_Culture_A_Social
_Critique_of_Liberal_Monoculturalism
Media
- Laureate Education (Producer). (2014a). Critiques of and challenges to democracy [Audio file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
In
this media piece, a subject-matter expert discusses how democracy poses
a challenge to the resolution of a public policy issue by means of
governance and/or public policy. - Laureate Education (Producer). (2009b). Perspectives on the world speaker series: Politics in an age of partisanship with Christine Todd Whitman [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 40 minutes. “Perspectives on the World Speaker Serires: Politics in an Age of Partisanship with Christine Todd Whitman” Transcript (PDF)
Optional Resources
- Jenco, L. (2003). Thoreau’s critique of democracy. Review of Politics, 65(3), 355–381.
- Miller, J. (2002, Aug. 28–Sept. 1). Democratic rhetoric and democratic audiences. Paper presented at the American Political Science Association 2002 Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.