Skip to content

Liberal Democracy

Definition

Search organisations working on Liberal Democracy in the Democracy Landscape →

Liberal democracy is a form of democratic rule that maintains a balance between the principle of limited government - limited power - and the ideal of popular consent - the ability of citizens to participate directly in state governance. As a result, liberal democracy enables citizens to participate directly in the governance of their society and state.

Forms of Liberal Democracy

A liberal democracy can take on a variety of constitutional forms, including monarchy or republic. It may operate under a parliamentary, presidential, or semi-presidential system. Liberal democracies typically have universal suffrage.

Characteristics

It places a premium on power separation, an independent judiciary, and a system of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of government. Liberal democratic characteristics are founded on a system of regular and competitive elections based on universal suffrage and political equality. These characteristics are:

  1. Multi-party systems with at least two persistent.
  2. Viable political parties.

Further reading

  • Wikipedia: Liberal democracy
  • "Frostpunk 2 Is a Political Philosophy Simulator", Contemplative (YouTube video essay) — an accessible introduction to Carl Schmitt's critique of liberal democracy (that political conflict can't be managed away by neutral procedure) and Chantal Mouffe's answer to it (agonism: opponents treated as legitimate adversaries rather than enemies), told through the factions and council votes of a city-builder game.

See also