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Summary Potential Questions - Democracies, autocracies and transitions (FY)
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Potential questions that could pop up in the DAT exam 2023 (based on readings and lectures).
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Lecture 1 Potential Exam Questions1. Examine Amartya Sen's perspective on the intrinsic value of democracy, focusing on how
he connects democratic processes to fundamental human capabilities and freedoms.
Amartya Sen posits that democracy possesses intrinsic value by virtue of its ability to
promote fundamental human capabilities and freedoms. According to Sen, democratic
processes serve as a means to enhance human development and overall well-being. By
providing individuals with the opportunity to participate in decision-making, express their
views, and safeguard basic rights, democracy becomes a crucial vehicle for fostering
essential aspects of human flourishing beyond its immediate outcomes.
2. Contrast Amartya Sen's perspective on the intrinsic value of democracy with Adam
Przeworski's minimalist view on its instrumental value. Explore how Przeworski defines
democracy's instrumental value, particularly in terms of competitive and repeated
elections.
While Amartya Sen emphasizes the intrinsic value of democracy tied to human
development, Adam Przeworski takes a minimalist stance, focusing on the instrumental
value of democracy. Przeworski argues that competitive and repeated elections are the
essential mechanisms defining democracy's benefits. These elections, according to
Przeworski, not only determine who governs a society but also provide a means for
expressing dissatisfaction with governance, contributing to accountability and overall
political stability.
3. Explore the concept of democracy as an independent variable in economic growth,
considering the Lee hypothesis. Discuss how democratic leaders' focus on short-term gains
might impact economic development. Evaluate Amartya Sen's call for systematic data in
understanding the relationship between democracy and sustained growth.
Democracy's role as an independent variable in economic growth is examined through the
Lee hypothesis, suggesting that democracies may lead to sustained growth. However,
Amartya Sen calls for systematic data to scrutinize this link. The idea that democratic
leaders prioritize short-term benefits over long-term development is explored in the context
, of economic growth, raising questions about the true impact of democracy on a nation's
economic trajectory.
4. Analyze available data on the economic growth of democratic and autocratic regimes. How
does the data support the idea that democracies exhibit either positive sustained growth or
none at all, while autocratic regimes are more prone to severe variation? Discuss the
implications of these findings for the instrumental value of democracy.
The available data indicates that democracies display either positive sustained growth or
none, contrasting with autocratic regimes that are more prone to severe economic variation.
This suggests that democracy's instrumental value lies in its potential for providing stable
economic conditions. The implications of these findings raise questions about the economic
effectiveness and stability of democracies compared to autocracies.
5. Investigate the relationship between democracy and climate change, considering the short-
sightedness of democratic decision-making. How does the data suggest that democracies
may be less effective in addressing climate change compared to autocratic regimes?
Discuss the implications of this trend for global environmental challenges.
The lecture delves into the intricate relationship between democracy and climate change,
highlighting a potential drawback in democratic decision-making—its short-sightedness.
The data presented indicates that democracies may be less effective in addressing climate
change compared to autocratic regimes. This phenomenon raises concerns about the ability
of democratic systems to implement long-term policies and strategies needed to tackle
global environmental challenges.
6. Examine Amartya Sen's argument against economic preconditions for democracy. How
does Sen challenge the notion that economic stability is a prerequisite for democratic
participation? Discuss the implications of this perspective for promoting democracy in
diverse socio-economic contexts.
Amartya Sen challenges the conventional view that economic stability is a prerequisite for
democratic participation. According to Sen, democracy should not be contingent on
economic preconditions, arguing that people can engage in democratic processes even in
, challenging economic conditions. This perspective has significant implications for the
promotion of democracy in diverse socio-economic contexts, emphasizing the inclusivity
of democratic participation.
7. Explore Amartya Sen's claim that democracy is a universal value. Define Sen's concept of
universal value in the context of democracy and elaborate on the aspects he emphasizes as
universally valuable. Provide examples to support Sen's argument regarding democracy's
broader significance.
Amartya Sen asserts that democracy is a universal value, implying that its significance
transcends cultural and regional boundaries. Sen defines universal value in the context of
democracy as something most people would inherently find valuable. He emphasizes
aspects such as the ability to participate in decision-making, express views, and protect
basic rights as universally valuable. Examples supporting Sen's argument showcase how
these democratic principles resonate across diverse societies, reinforcing democracy's
broader significance.
, Potential Questions
Lecture 2
1. Explore the historical evolution of the term "democracy," considering its etymology and early
conceptualizations. Examine how the notion of "rule by the people" has changed over time,
addressing questions of who, what, how, when, and where.
The term "democracy" has a rich etymological history, originating from the Greek words 'demos'
(people) and 'kratos' (rule). In its early conceptualizations, democracy signified a form of
governance where the people collectively held power. This concept evolved over time, prompting
questions about who constituted the people, what governance mechanisms were employed, how the
system operated, when it emerged historically, and where democratic principles were applied.
2. Analyze the early theoretical treatments of democracy by Plato and Aristotle. Compare Plato's view
of government as a realm of experts with Aristotle's classification of regimes based on rulership.
Assess their concerns about democracy, including issues of mob rule and susceptibility to class
warfare.
Plato and Aristotle provided foundational insights into democracy. Plato viewed government as a
realm for experts, fearing the pitfalls of mob rule in democracies. In contrast, Aristotle, in "The
Politics," classified regimes based on the number of rulers and discerned good and bad forms of
each. Both philosophers expressed concerns about the susceptibility of democracies to class
warfare, portraying them as potentially unstable and dangerous systems.
3. Contrast the features of Athenian democracy, as outlined by Aristotle, Herodotus, Thucydides, and
Xenophon, with early 'democratic' governance structures such as council and village governance.
Discuss how suffrage, free speech, political equality, and decision-making methods differed in these
contexts.
Athenian democracy, as chronicled by ancient historians, emphasized suffrage for free, adult males,
free speech, political equality, and direct participation in decision-making. In contrast, early
'democratic' experiments, as highlighted by Ali and Stasavage (2020), Koelble and Lipuma (2008),
and Parekh (1992), varied significantly. Governance structures like council governance and village
governance differed in processes and size, incorporating features such as election by lot and/or
direct decision-making, showcasing the diverse nature of early democratic practices.
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