Critiques of Democracy, political science homework help

Critiques of Democracy

Note: This Assignment is due by Day 3, prior to the
Discussion.

The United States often is singled out as
a shining example of democratic governance; however, the U.S. system of
governance is not immune to criticism. Scholars from the right and the left
point out flaws in the U.S. system from its founding to its present state. An
interesting feature of democratic governance is that loyal opposition and
dissent are built into the system. Some democracies, including the United
States, have benefited greatly from those who criticized the status quo. Not
everyone who criticizes aspects of a democratic system is a detractor. On the
other hand, not all criticisms are valid. In fact, some criticisms may be
destructive or easily refuted. One asset of democratic systems is the ability
to improve and reform successfully when faced with a legitimate criticism.
Evaluating which criticisms provide an adequate justification for reform is a
more difficult task.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review the
  article “Democracy, Nationalism and Culture: A Social Critique of Liberal
  Monoculturalism” in this week’s Learning Resources. Take note of critiques
  of democracy in the article.
• Review the
  articles “Plato’s Criticisms of Democracy in the Republic” and “Is
  Democracy Possible?” in this week’s Learning Resources. Pay particular
  attention to dissenting arguments about democracy.
• Think about
  why critiques of democracy might be an important element of democratic
  governance.
• Reflect on
  the role of critiques of democracy in reforming and improving democratic
  governance.
• Using the
  knowledge you have gained from this course, the Learning Resources for
  this week, and/or your own research on democracy, select two critiques of
  democracy for this Assignment.
• Consider (as
  they relate to governance and public policy) the validity of the
  critiques, their constructive or destructive nature, and how they might be
  rebutted.

The Assignment (3–5 pages):

• Briefly
  describe the two critiques of democracy that you selected.
• Evaluate them
  as follows (as they relate to governance and public policy):
• Explain
  why and how the critiques might be valid and constructive.
• Explain
  why and how the critiques might be invalid and destructive.
• Explain
  how you might refute or support these critiques.
• Share
  insights and/or draw conclusions based on your evaluation of critiques of
  democracy.

Support your Assignment with specific
references to all resources used in its preparation.

Readings

• Gilley, B. (2009). Is democracy possible? Journal of Democracy, 20(1),
  113–127.Retrieved
  from the Walden Library databases.
• Santas, G. (2007). Plato’s criticisms of democracy in
  the Republic. Social Philosophy and Policy, 24(2), 70–89.Retrieved
  from the Walden Library databases.
• Conversi, D. (2007). Democracy, nationalism and
  culture: A social critique of liberal monoculturalism. Social Compass, 2(1):
  156–182. Retrieved from http://www.researchgate.net/publication/227683178_Democracy_Nationalism_and_Culture_A_Social
  _Critique_of_Liberal_Monoculturalism

Optional Resources

• Jenco, L. (2003). Thoreau’s critique of democracy. Review of Politics, 65(3),
  355–381.
• Miller, J. (2002, Aug. 28–Sept. 1). Democratic rhetoric and democratic audiences.
  Paper presented at the American Political Science Association 2002 Annual
  Meeting, Boston, MA.