1. Comparative Politics Different democracies

2. Monarchy Image used under Creative Commons from Eddo via Wikimedia Commons

3. Republic Photo used under Creative Commons from kmezonkmezon

4. Unitary state Image used under Creative Commons from Lokal_Profil via Wikimedia Commons Lokal_Profil

5. Federal state Image used under Creative Commons from Lokal_Profil via Wikimedia Commons Lokal_Profil

6. Parliamentary system Image used under GFDLfrom The_Tom via Wikimedia Commons

7. Presidential system Image used under Creative Commons from Jackaranga via Wikimedia CommonsJackaranga

8. Political Party PartiesParty system Image used under Creative Commons from Wilfredor via Wikimedia Commons

9. Electoral system Electoral system (voting system) Image used under Creative Commons from Ssolbergj via Wikimedia CommonsSsolbergj

10. Measuring democracy? Dichotomous conceptContinuous concept

11. Difference in measures Thin Freedom House: – Electoral democracy: Competitive, multiparty political system Universal adult suffrage Regularly contested elections conducted on the basis of secret ballots, reasonable security and the absence of massive voter fraud Significant public access of major political parties to the electorate through the media and through generally open political campaigning – Political freedom: Somewhat more demanding criteria Covers electoral process, political process, functioning of government, a few aspects of participation “Thin” is based on and academic definition of democracy: – Dahl’s concept of polyarchy – 8 components Thick Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Democracy Index 2010Democracy Index 2010

12. Dahl’s concept of polyarchy 1.Almost all adult citizens have the right to vote 2.Almost all adult citizens are eligible for public office 3.Political leaders have the right to compete for votes 4.Elections are free and fair 5.All citizens are free to form and join political parties and other organisations 6.All citizens are free to express themselves on all political issues 7.Diverse sources of information about politics exist and are protected by law 8.Government policies depend on votes and other expressions of preference Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Democracy Index 2010Democracy Index 2010

13. Difference in measures Thin Freedom House: Freedom House – Electoral democracy: Competitive, multiparty political system Universal adult suffrage Regularly contested elections conducted on the basis of secret ballots, reasonable security and the absence of massive voter fraud Significant public access of major political parties to the electorate through the media and through generally open political campaigning – Political freedom: Somewhat more demanding criteria Covers electoral process, political process, functioning of government, a few aspects of participation “Thin” is based on and academic definition of democracy: – Dahl’s concept of polyarchy – 8 components Electoral democracy Thick Economist Intelligence Unit 1.electoral process and pluralism 2.civil liberties Basic human rights: speech, expression, press, religion, assembly, association… 3.the functioning of government 4.political participation 5.political culture Liberal democracy Does not include: – Economic and social well being, which many argue are crucial components of democracy Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Democracy Index 2010Democracy Index 2010