Do you agree that in modern liberal democratic societies the state is now reduced to being ‘one actor amongst many’ ?
Do you agree that in modern liberal democratic societies the state is now reduced to being ‘one actor amongst many’ ?
In the contemporary world, most societies hold a liberal democratic basis. They are governed by political parties for which have been obtained the right to the legal rule through democratic election processes. In that respect, a liberal democracy is one that grants power to the government while ensuring limits of its power through a system of checks and balances. It may be described as a system that protects individuals and minorities from the potential surpasses in government power. This is ensured through laws that protect individual and minority rights. Due to these provisions, it is argued that the state has been reduced to one actor among many in the society. However, this essay seeks to bring out a contrarian view. It will be posited that the state has maintained a strong position in the society and has been use as a tool for the circulation of sectarian benefits. Similarly, the essay will explore various interpretations of power, as well as their development over the past 30 years.
In many nation-states, state power has been preformed to a greater extent than that of the civil society. An example can be seen through states administered by authoritarian regimes. In such societies, state power is so great that elections are often foregone. However, the legality of such status is weak and is readily to be eliminated (Davis 2009). Authoritarian regimes such as Communist Romania collapsed because of lack of legitimacy. There are three main views on democratic power. The first view is that of pluralism. It declares the maintenance of power among various groups in the society (Ricci 1971). The second is the Elite theory. It suggests that power in nation-states is held in the hands of a select group of elitists. The third is Marxism, as assumed by Karl Marx and Neo-Marxists. It is based on the economic power of different classes that exist in
In the contemporary world, most societies hold a liberal democratic basis. They are governed by political parties for which have been obtained the right to the legal rule through democratic election processes. In that respect, a liberal democracy is one that grants power to the government while ensuring limits of its power through a system of checks and balances. It may be described as a system that protects individuals and minorities from the potential surpasses in government power. This is ensured through laws that protect individual and minority rights. Due to these provisions, it is argued that the state has been reduced to one actor among many in the society. However, this essay seeks to bring out a contrarian view. It will be posited that the state has maintained a strong position in the society and has been use as a tool for the circulation of sectarian benefits. Similarly, the essay will explore various interpretations of power, as well as their development over the past 30 years.
In many nation-states, state power has been preformed to a greater extent than that of the civil society. An example can be seen through states administered by authoritarian regimes. In such societies, state power is so great that elections are often foregone. However, the legality of such status is weak and is readily to be eliminated (Davis 2009). Authoritarian regimes such as Communist Romania collapsed because of lack of legitimacy. There are three main views on democratic power. The first view is that of pluralism. It declares the maintenance of power among various groups in the society (Ricci 1971). The second is the Elite theory. It suggests that power in nation-states is held in the hands of a select group of elitists. The third is Marxism, as assumed by Karl Marx and Neo-Marxists. It is based on the economic power of different classes that exist in