liberal democracy

   The form of government practised in the West that tries to combine the powers of democratic government with the liberal values associated with individual freedom.

   Democracy involves more than people having voting rights. It is essential that there are opportunities for citizens and the media to exercise freedom of speech, assembly and political opposition. A liberal democracy balances the principle of limited government against the ideal of popular consent. There are checks on the power of government to protect citizens from arbitrary or unfair action, so that a liberal democratic regime is characterised by pluralism, limited government, open government, and an independent judiciary.

   In liberal democracies, the power of government is limited by the recognition of free play between autonomous voluntary associations within society. There are several checks and balances. Important focuses of power include trades unions, professional associations and private companies. The task of government is to reconcile and coordinate these various interests, only imposing coercion when other methods of harmonisation fail to operate effectively.

   Liberal democracies are characterised by a spirit of tolerance towards competing groups and particularly towards the views of minorities. There is due recognition of everybody’s interests but it is understood that government should be concerned with the good of the whole community.

   Further reading: M. Cole, Democracy, Edinburgh University Press, 2006