A comparison of the varying conceptions of the term "democracy" in the writings of R.A. Dahl and C.B. Macpherson

M.A. (Politics)What is democracy? In the second half of the twentieth century the term, which may relate either to a form of government or a form of society, has become much used and, in the writer's opinion, misused. Indeed, Macpherson believes there is "a good deal of muddle about democracy" (Macpherson 1972:1). At the start of the century's last decade this process appears to have accelerated as the term has become ever more topical, encouraged hugely as the process is by the predominance of mass media communication. The writer considers that democracy is not only a topical term but an important concept, for students of politics as well as for the pub Li.c at large. It is a term which surely requires better understanding of its meaning if the concepts and principles to which it relates are to be valued and appreciated appropriately. At the beginning of his enquiries, which result in this dissertation, the writer assumes "democracy" to mean a form of government Which ensures an equal say in its direct control for all citizens of sound mind. Franchise qualifications should provide for a reasonable minimum age but must disregard any other differences, such as sex, race or religion. This dissertation is undertaken in an endeavour to clear away some of the confusion, or "muddle", which exists regarding democracy. The writer anticipates that elucidation will enhance not. only the possibility of wider understanding but also prospects for meeting the need for concerted, tenacious and widespread efforts to obtain meaningful improvement in levels of democratization. The writings of two prominent political theorists, Robert Allen Dahl and Crawford Brough Macpherson, will be examined to ascertain and compare their views on democracy, with the subsidiary objectives of clarifying the meaning of democracy and ascertaining whether real democracy exists in any sizeable political system. It is the writer's hypothesis that although the basic conceptions of democracy found in the writings of Dahl and Macpherson indicate major differences, certain similarities have been perceived: and that these similarities will prove valuable in stabilizing the meaning of democracy, and in establishing to what extent (if any) true, that is direct, democracy exists