Table of contentsIntroductionWhat is democracy?The similarities between minimalist and maximalist democraciesThe differences between minimalist and maximalist democraciesConclusionReferencesIntroductionDemocracy is a multifaceted concept with various interpretations and implemented worldwide. Two important approaches to democracy are maximalist and minimalist democracy. Although both systems aim to uphold democratic principles, they differ in their degree of inclusiveness and government intervention. This essay offers an in-depth comparative analysis of maximalist and minimalist democracy, exploring their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages and their relevance in contemporary political landscapes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayWhat is Democracy?Democracy, as eloquently defined by former US President Abraham Lincoln, is a government that works “of the people, by the people”. , and for the people." Essentially, democracy means a system of governance in which all members of a state or polity play an active role in decision-making processes. Various theories of democracy mainly revolve around the fundamental principle of “government by the people”, which involves the direct involvement of individuals in making decisions that impact their lives and shape the societal landscape In the words of Bühlmann (2008), democracy. is a system that retains political sovereignty from the people, allowing citizens to exercise it directly The etymology of the term "democracy" dates back to ancient Greece, where "demokratia" combines "demos," meaning "the people." , with "kratos" meaning "rule", "power" or "strength". Essentially, democracy is a system in which citizens participate in governance, either through direct participation or by electing representatives at regular intervals. It embodies the ideal of a government “of the people, by the people and for the people”. There are two distinct but interconnected forms of democracy: minimalist democracy, aiming to ensure effective and fair governance, and maximalist democracy, encompassing government run entirely by and for the people, characterized by improved representation, increased participation and greater potential for social justice. The similarities between minimalist and maximalist democracies. Maximalist and minimalist interpretations of democracy share fundamental principles. First, they recognize that the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights is an integral part of the functioning of a democratic system. Human rights flourish in a democratic framework, allowing the population to formulate the laws that govern them and to exercise public control over the three branches of government: the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. It is crucial that human rights are most effective when state authority is accompanied by autonomy and independence, ensuring equal treatment of all individuals before the law. Thus, in any democratic system, maintaining a clear separation of powers is essential to guarantee the autonomy and independence of the judiciary. These components – democracy, human rights and separation of powers – are intimately interdependent. Second, both maximalist and minimalist democracies emphasize the importance of elections as a cornerstone of democratic governance. Electoral laws play a rolea central role in the organization and supervision of elections, the governance of the electoral process and the allocation of votes to the corresponding seats. Elections encompass active and passive electoral rights: the former gives citizens the right to vote, while the latter grants them the right to stand for election. Free democratic elections are characterized by the unlimited ability of citizens to choose from a wide range of candidates or parties, ensuring a fair and transparent process. This allows individuals to choose their leaders through free and fair elections, a characteristic of both forms of democracy. Third, they uphold the rule of law as a fundamental aspect of democratic governance. The rule of law emphasizes the existence of essential principles and procedures that guarantee individual freedoms and facilitate political engagement. At the heart of this concept is the notion of personal liberty and freedom of expression, ensuring that state power is governed by law. The rule of law directly opposes the idea of ​​a “police state” or a “despotic state” because it guarantees equality before the law, even for government employees and officials. In a democratic state, all citizens are equal before the law, which allows them to participate fully in political life. Finally, maximalist and minimalist democracies adhere to the principle of separation of powers, which involves dividing state authority into three distinct branches. : legislative, executive and judicial. The legislative branch formulates and adopts laws, the executive branch implements laws and government policies, and the judiciary provides the legal framework for the exercise of power. The separation of powers serves as a system of checks and balances within a democratic state, enabling the effective control and influence of state power, primarily through self-regulation. The distribution of state power and the specific responsibilities of each organ are generally defined in a country's constitution. Generally, two systems of governance predominate: the “parliamentary system” and the “presidential system”. Both aim to ensure a fair and transparent distribution of state authority between different bodies. The Differences Between Minimalist and Maximalist Democracies In the parliamentary system of governance, the government derives its authority from the elected parliament, representing the will of the people. Ministers in government can also hold dual mandates. It is important to note that Parliament has the power to establish and dissolve the government. The responsibilities of government and parliament are often closely linked, with the government generally responsible for drafting and proposing laws. However, the fate of these bills ultimately rests in the hands of Parliament, which must vote on them. The government therefore relies on Parliament to approve the bills it presents. Furthermore, political parties play a central role, as majority in Parliament is a prerequisite for obtaining government positions. As Hetherington (2009) points out, the concept of democracy is highly controversial, leading to various definitions and measures of democracy. Different research projects, such as Polity IV and Freedom House, employ different definitions, resulting in distinct measures of democracy, including minimalist and maximalist approaches. The minimalist perspective could view democracy as simply a system of periodic elections and measure the presence or absence of elections in different countries. On the other hand, the maximalist approach..