*** [[Karl Popper]] > I call the type of government which can be removed without [[violence]], "[[DÉMOCRATIE|democracy]]" [[Joseph Schumpeter]] > The democratic *method* is that institutional arrangement for arriving at political decision in which *individuals* acquire the [[pouvoir|power]] to decide by means of *competitive* struggle for the people's vote **democracy is a method, it's not a goal** representatives are granted power and sometimes their interests will go against those of their voters. It's expected and we have to be aware of that. They won't sacrifice for the common good[^1] = [[théorie des choix publics]] competitive struggle = elections have to be fair, free and open **Democratic competition** : - analogy with the market. Votes are currency on this market. *[[parti politique|Parties]] and politicians* = **offers** and *voters* = **consumers**. Offerers have initiatives on their program but they are, in some way, dependent on the voters[^2] - It should be *free* and *open*.[^3] Voters should have a real choice between existing alternatives and the press can freely inform voters about candidates. Any candidates that want to participate in election can do so. - Competition is not perfect because even if everybody can start a campaign, not everybody can "really" start a campaign and have a chance to win it based on what they own for example[^4] [[Adam Przeworski]] > Democracy is any system in which governments are selected and replaced by means of competitive elections A good balance between having a dominant class[^5] and a people that think they have the power. *We have peace and oppression at the same time* Violence decreases when we have *"political alternation"* Why change representatives regularly[^8] : - it's arbitrary and **preferences of people change** - Voters may chose the "**wrong**" political leaders - **Losers** of the election, if they know that is temporary, **are less likely to revolt** Why use election instead of sortition[^6] ? (according to [[Adam Przeworski]], so not that good) - they force governments to be **moderate** and not abuse their power. Because of democratic accountability[^7] (les politiques ont une carrière qu'ils veulent garder) -> it might be just a little bit but it's juste a bit = This is part of [[contrôle et sanction des représentants]] - they are public display of force. Minorities do not rebel. And Parties powerful enough to overthrow a government are elected instead. ## Liens [^1]: l'homme présidentiel n'existe pas vraiment [^2]: [[Les valeurs sont-elles une marchandise comme une autre ?]] [^3]: ça reprend les principes de la [[concurrence pure et parfaite]] [^4]: [[aristocratie élective]] [^5]: [[classe dominante]] [^6]: [[Tirage au sort]] [^7]: [[principe de révocabilité]] [^8]: [[réitération de l'élection]]