Part 15/21:
Indirect (Representative) Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to decide on their behalf (most modern democracies, e.g., France). Variants include:
Parliamentary systems: Parliament holds supremacy (UK, Germany).
Presidential systems: Executive leader (president) plays a strong role (USA).
Ideological Variants:
Liberal democracy: Emphasizes individual rights, rule of law.
Majoritarian democracy: Focuses on majority rule.
Participatory democracy: Advocates for broader citizen involvement.
Democracies of the "People's" type: Often associated with Marxist regimes, claiming representational fidelity but criticized as authoritarian.
Critical Perspectives on Democracy
Despite widespread admiration, critics argue: