An Alternative Democracy Other than Liberal and Social Democracies?

Most of the nations of the world have a government based on either Liberal or Social Democracy. Liberal Democracy is defined as a representative form of entity that values on individual liberties and a free market economy. The United States is the prime example of a Liberal Democracy. Social Democracy is also a representative entity which the government provides certain entitlements such as Universal Healthcare and education. The free market economies in social democracies are heavily regulated which includes high taxation. Germany and Greece are examples of Social Democracies. Is there an alternative democratic form of government other than the liberal and social democracies?

In Glenn Sanakatsing’s document “PEOPLE’S VOTE COMPATIBLE WITH PEOPLE’S FATE A democratic alternative to liberal democracy” he proposes an alternative to the current systems of liberal and social democracy. He proposes an alternative which is a representative democracy based on development theory. Development theory is collection of ideas about how desirable change in society is best achieved. He argues of the multiple failures of both liberal and social democracies. Both systems are based on delegation as a means of creating and directing national policies. The voter selects a delegate and that delegate through a top to down approach creates laws and policies which all citizens have to follow. He argues that the delegate main purpose in governing is to secure power for him/herself and survival for the political party. In most nations there are two types of political parties known as the right and the left. In the United States conservatives and liberals dominate the political spectrum and there is no room for other political principles such as libertariani...

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...lues, principles are examples of culture and one can contribute to any aspect of the culture while institutions are specific in nature and has no room for any kind of flexibility or diversity.

In conclusion there are alternatives to the liberal and social democracies. The development theory is the alternative and has been attempted through the East Asian Model. However despite some early success it did not bring long term economic benefits. As more and more nations are seeing the flaws of liberal and social democracies new idea and principles will be forged in order to bring equality and harmony to the nation. The development theory is what it is a theory that needs real practical policies that can bring benefits for everybody. Maybe future generations can solve the current problems of economic and political instabilities that are seen throughout the world today.