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Democracy

There is no widely accepted definition of democracy, nor is there consensus on the yardsticks for measuring democracy.

However, all countries regardless of their ideological differences have elements of democracy.

Therefore, it is possible to place a value judgment on any country’s level of democracy based on a constant set of assumptions.

The 4 tenets of democracy

1. Universal Suffrage and Political Participation

2. Equality before the law3. Checks and Balances4. Human Rights

These 4 tenets will serve as a framework for us to further map the indicators and by extension, the level of democracy in any political state.

Philosophical assumptions

Democracy is universal

Democracy is the ideal form of government

Democracy equates to prosperity

Constitution and the rule of law accurately reflects

the practice of law enforcements

Existing models of evaluating democracyInstitutions Freedom

HouseDemocracy Index (The Economist)

Methodology Public Opinion Survey: Numerical Scale of 1-7, rating based on 25 indicatorsForeign and domestic news reportsAcademic analyses

Public Opinion Survey: Numerical Scale of 1-10, rating based on 60 indicators

Indicators A. Freedom of Expression

B. Organizational Rights

C. Rule of LawD. Individual RightsE. Electoral ProcessF. Political PluralismG. Functioning of

Government

A. Electoral B. Civil LibertiesC. Functioning of

governmentD. Political

participationE. Political culture

Inadequacies of Current Models• Odd (number) and narrow numerical

scale creates arbitrary ratings due to unclear demarcations

• Numerical ratings are subjective to each individual and to each topic within an individual’s choice (opinion-based)

• Consequentialist approach does not fully reflect a country’s level of democracy (country’s level of democracy is largely based on the satisfaction of its people)

Our Model of Democracy

Democracy Review:Measuring Equality Rankings Cum Extra

Rubbish

Functionality of Government

Only determinable by quantitative methods such as public opinion

surveys (instrumental), therefore discussion of this section will be excluded from the presentation.

Checks and Balances

Legislature Executive Judiciary

Political Representation

Electoral Process

Political Pluralism

Participatory culture

Right and capacity to participate

Political Representation- Electoral ProcessCategory Indicators Iceland

Free and Fair Elections

•Regularity of elections•Inclusivity and accessibility of citizens to voting•Independence of voting process from governmental intimidation and party control

•Regular (Once every 4 years)•Universal Suffrage (18 years), Optional voting•Highly independent and free elections

Proportional Electoral Boundaries

•Equal representation in proportion to population•Presence of Gerrymandering

•Political party representation is proportional to overall electoral support•Probably not

Political Pluralism- representation of minority groups in governmentIN PARLIAMENTAlthingi divided into 6 constituencies, 63 members1999 constitution amendment balanced the weight of different districts of the country whereby voters in the rural districts have greater representation per head than voters in Reykjavík 

IN GOVERNMENT Element of

arbitrariness as governmental appointment is subject to negotiation amongst political party leaders (>50%)

In the event that negotiation fails, the President appoints a Cabinet

Minorities may be compromised

However, a 2006 report on Iceland from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)

expressed concerns in a number of areas. ECRI urged the Icelandic authorities to strengthen its anti-racism legal provisions, as well as establishing a special body

to combat racism.

Pluralism- Minority Representation  If the number of votes per seat in

parliament in one constituency goes below half of what it is in any other constituency, one seat shall be transferred between them.

Recent Example: 2007 Elections-One seat from the

Northwest constituency was transferred to the Southwest

Right to Participate in the Political Process  Anyone who is eligible

to vote, with the exception of the President and the judges of the Supreme Court, can stand for parliament.

However, a minimum of 5% of the national vote is needed to run for proportionally distributed seats (constituencies)

Capacity to participate in political process Various polls are held to reflect public

opinion (e.g. Capacent Gallup, Frettablaoio, Bifrost University Research Institute)

Public Referendum- Recent Example: Icelandic Debt Repayment

6 March 2010 Approve terms of state guarantee under the

Depositors and Investors guarantee Fund, which entails the return of a 3.8 billion Euro loan to the UK and Netherlands

Rejected with a resounding opposition vote of 93%

Political Culture

Participatory Culture Political Education

None compulsory in the education system Independence of Public Political

Activities 2009 protests over economic crisis forced

Geir Haarde to step down as Prime Minister.

Organisational Rights

Corporate Protection

Corporate Freedom

Trade Unions

Individual Rights

Economic Rights Social Rights Civil Rights

GDP per capita $39,800 (2009 est.) 19th

Unemployment rate 8.8% (2009 est.), 1.642% (2008 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini coefficient: .25 (2005) 135th lowest

Guarantee to basic necessities of lifeProper sanitation Access to drinking water

Protection for persons with disabilities

Employment, education, or the provision of state services

Infrastructure

Insufficient care and resources to persons with mental disabilities.

Minorities (foreigners and immigrants)

Laws are argued to be discriminatory

HDI 2009: 0.969 (3rd)

HealthcareInfant mortality rate

3.23deaths/ 1000 live births (218th)

EducationSchool attendance

compulsory till 15 and free through public university level

Literacy rate 99%School life expectancy 18

years

Equality before the law

Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention

Right to a fair trial

Freedom of expression and press

Freedom of peaceful assembly and association

Freedom to practice religion and culture

Respect for political rights: right of citizens to change government

ConclusionConclusion

Overall, Iceland is a highly democratic country, fulfilling most requirements in the D.R.M.E.R.C.E.R. model.

Strong legislature with good implementation, but limited efficacy hampered by inefficiency.

YAY!!!!