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American Democracy Introduction When Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech in Gettysburg, he gave, probably, the brightest and the most famous definition of democracy in American history. He defined democracy as government of the People, by the People, for the People (Lincoln n. p. ). These words imply the base of democratic state that can be applied in relation to any nation that strives to create democratic society. Democracy is, probably, the most arguable and difficult form of governments. It is full of internal conflicts and discrepancies.
Its implementation into political life demands considerable efforts. Democracy, actually, is aimed to ensure accountability rather than effectiveness. Democratic government, probably, is not able to act as effectively as dictatorship. Yet, democratic government is based on support of nation and theoretical and practical approaches to the state are constantly re-examined as the powerful, metaphysical effect of practices that make such structures appear to exist (Mitchell p. 94).
Democracy, at least American model of democracy, never represents a final version. Democracy is in a constant process of development. The paper dwells on main principles of American model of democracy and to explain the importance of democracy for state development. Some scientists claim that the West influences state formation in the Third World states, by introducing bureaucratic institutions, democratic standards and principles of social, constitutional and economic liberalism. However, such external pressure distorts institutional development and undermines democratic practices.
The aim of this paper is to prove that American model of democracy can serve the example of democracy for all other world countries. Yet, overpressure can lead to undesirable consequences because every nation has right to independently determine model of democracy based on its own cultural, political and social principles. Fundamental principles of American Democracy So, in order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of American influence on state formation in the Third World states by introducing its democratic fundamentals, we need to provide the reader with general concepts of American Democracy. There are several fundamental principles that influence the process of development of democracy and its effective functioning in the United States of America. They are as follows: Constitutionalism.
Legislative process should take place within the limits of certain parameters. Besides, the country should have approved methods of working out the law and implementing modifications. Constitution is the law, and at the same time it is much more than a simple law (Urofsky n. p. ). Constitution is the main state document that establishes the limits of powers of various state institutions. It is also establishes the limits of state power.
Democratic Elections. The country can not be considered democratic until the state officials are not elected by the citizens of the country by way of free elections in accordance with open and just procedure in relation to all its citizens. Although the mechanism of election can differ, the basis is to remain unchangeable for any democratic society. They are as follows: equal possibility to participate in elections for all citizens, protection of individual from overpressure and influence and open and conscientious counting of votes (Urofsky n. p. ). Federalism, State Government and Local Administration.
America is the unique government concerning their federal system of administration. It foresees separation of powers between national, local and state administration. Even if the Third World countries negate American model of democracy, still American experience in this specific case should be definitely taken into account. Besides, decentralization of power considerably complicates illegal takeover. Lawmaking. Legislative authorities acknowledge the fact that they account on their electorate.
Besides, the citizens directly or indirectly contribute to this process. Legislative authorities, in their turn, aware of fact that they should make laws taking into account the interests of citizens, otherwise, they will fail during elections. The key aspect here is feeling of responsibility before people. Independence of Judicial Authorities. American judicial system plays an important role in protection of human right. Presidential Powers.
The President of the United States has power, and, at the same time, his power is limited by the government. In such a way, the country avoids dictatorship. The Role of Mass Media. Mass media plays an important role in protection of human rights and establishment of democracy. In conditions of democracy American people rely on mass media as a tool that unmasks corruption, unlawful actions, wrongful acts or police misconduct. The country cannot be free without freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of broadcasting.
The Role of Initiative Groups. This aspect was a subject for heightened debates because some citizens consider that those people, who have more money, can have more influence on initiative groups than those who have mid- and low income. Society has Right to Obtain Information. The main principle of democracy here is transparency. From one side, the nation has right to be informed about the actions of state authorities, whereas from the other side, not all actions of government should become a public data. Protecting Minorities Rights.
The government can not be considered democratic when it systematically deprives certain minorities of full pledged state protection. Civilian Control of the Military. Democratic government foresees that military forces should be controlled by civil authorities, where the role of militaries is understood as servants and not governors of the country. The main principle here is that military forces should always be subordinated to government and their task should be to protect democracy. American Institutional Dead Weight The period of American Revolution was known as a time of effective novelties and achievements.
The Founding Fathers formed the main principles of democracy that became the base of modern constitutionalism not only in America but in other world countries. American society is significantly different from European and society of developing countries. Yet, Europeans were captivated by evolution of American democratic principles. The democratic evangelism of the XX century starts its history with Philippines. President McKinley defined American democratic intervention as favorable assimilation.
These plans embraced gradual development of self-government, the system of state education, and attempts to introduce American democratic principles. Constitution that was adopted in 1935 was also created under considerable American influence. The most famous attempt to export American principles of democracy was the attempt of Woodrow Wilson to make the world safe for democracy. Wilson didnt plan that other countries will adopt an American model of Constitution, but he underlined the importance of such fundamental principles like self-determination, free elections, and power of law, human rights, independence of legislative authorities and other democratic principles.
Czech Republic was the most successful democracy raised from the ashes of World War I. After capitulation of Japan (1945) McArthur acted quickly in order to assure working out of new constitution. He ordered his administration to create constitution that satisfied American principles. American almighty hand helped to work out constitutions and favored the process of democratization of post-Communist countries. Both state and private organizations influenced the development of democracy. Usually democratic help was given by means of technical assistance, such as helping parliaments to renew their legal procedures, creation of independent legislative authorities, and help in working out new constitutions and laws.
Central-European and Eurasian legal initiative of American Association of lawyers was the most effective. American persistence in spreading democracy in relation to the Third World states undermines the model of democracy based on its own cultural, political and social principles. Some scholars claim about Western democracy brought to Arabic countries either by tanks, at democratic fairy-tales, or channels of finance capital tracing and political technologies in order to gain the victory over the world terrorism. However, what concerns American intervention into Arab conflict, America was rather concerned about the prospect of a large united Arab state under vigorous revolutionary leadership (Lustick p. 670). At the same time, Arabian hostile attitude to American democracy is based on deep animosity of Arabs in relation to America.
This hostility influences Arabian political mentality so greatly that it should be examined as a separate, third factor of instability at the Middle East. Yet, Id like to add that in this separate case I agree with American policy on all points. Nevertheless, democratic influence on other countries is still too obtrusive. Latin America suffers from over-friendly American support. According to Miguel Angen Senteno, American as a large, unwieldy and all-powerful state undertakes all efforts to actively participate in Latin American political life.
The all-mighty state determines the future of citizens and dictates the thrust of their lives. The United States ensnared Latin America in economic and political snare and the best possible solution for the country would be the removal of this institutional dead-weight (Senteno p. 2). Under influence of American model of democracy, for example, the gap between coastal and internal Chinese regions is constantly increases following by mal distribution of financial capital. For its turn, such situation can cause social problems and undermine social stability of the country. The Third World states try to avoid over-pressure from the side of American government. Possible solutions can be as follows: Desire to reach the balance between effectiveness and justice.
Active democratic help from the side of American government can lead to potent differentiation of society in the Third World states. Latin America, China, Africa, and other countries are no exception to this rule. The representatives of nationalism policy consider that realization of American principles of democracy and the effectiveness priority conduct to no decrease of domestic demand and annual intake. - State authorities should withstand domination of West ideological postulates. They should stop worshipping foreign principles and create new national culture. According to opinions of some scholars, democratic globalization can be examined as a complex process of economical, political and cultural penetration of the West into all world countries. The Third World states should not only implement sound policy but take into account the differences between foreign and local experiences.
The countries should have opportunity to withstand global cultural and terminological domination. The provincial countries should thoroughly reshape cultural-civilization problems. Jackson (1982) also speaks about the limits to what international society can contribute to the further development of the other countries. Only then the Third World states will be able to create a necessary niche for development of national democratic conscience and retain the right for national vital space. The countries should have an opportunity to find democratic sources in sphere of traditional culture and create new democracy taking into account their own traditions. Conclusion From the standpoint of arguments explored in the essay, democracy is the aim of primary importance for all countries.
The Third World states are no exception to the rule. Although the American model of democracy embraces the most important objectives of successful and effective government, the United States should avoid implementing obtrusive policy in relation to the Third World. In conclusion Id like to remind that the word expression the end justifies the means cannot be taken as a guide to action in relation to democracy. The countries have inherent right to independently determine model of democracy based on its own cultural, political and social principles. Bibliography: 1. Jackson, Robert H. , Robert, Carl G. (October 1982).
Why Africa's Weak States Persist: The Empirical and the Juridical in Statehood. World Politics, Vol. 35, No. 1. pp. 1 - 24 2. Lincoln, A. The Gettysburg Address. Retrieved October 30, 2006.
web 3. Lustick, Ian S. The Absence of Middle Eastern Great Powers: Political Backwardness in Historical Perspective. 4. Miguel Angen Senteno. Blood and Debt: War and the Nation-State in Latin America. The Pennsylvania State University Press: University Park, Pennsylvania. 5.
Mitchell, T. (March 1991). The Limits of the State: Beyond Statist Approaches and Their Critics. The American Political Science Review, Vol. 85, No. 1. pp. 77 - 96 6. Urofsky, Melvin I. (November 2001). Introduction: The Root Principles of Democracy.
Retrieved October 30, 2006. web
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