What is democracy ? - the response to Widmalm and Persson by Ludviq Beckman
Photo by Jessica Pamp via Unsplash
In my previous post, I wrote about research and opinions regarding democracy by political scientists Sten Widmalm and Thomas Persson. Recently, Widmalm’s and Persson’s article was criticized by political scientist Ludviq Beckman. One of Beckman’s main points is that the term democracy is ambiguous and has multiple meanings and that Widmalm and Persson were not clear enough in defining what democracy is. Therefore, Beckman argues that their concerns regarding democracy are not clear enough and need to be clarified:
However, the article does not clarify what either Widmalm and Persson or the respondents understand by "democracy."
Beckman argues that the claim that Swedes are "increasingly" willing to negotiate away democracy lacks stronger evidence. According to Beckman:
We have yet to find out what Swedes thought before. In principle, it could be the opposite: that ordinary Swedes were previously more inclined to restrict democracy.
As Beckman writes, answering the question of whether temporary restrictions on democracy are justifiable requires understanding what "democracy" means. One possibility is to understand democracy as an ideal procedure, which is what is taught in introductory political science courses. In this sense, democracy is not fully realized in any form of government.
Beckman writes that the ideal of democracy presupposes, among other things, "effective and sufficient" opportunities to participate in all decisions, which is not the case in Sweden and other countries because of the representative/parliamentary systems rather than direct democracies, as in Switzerland. Beckman writes that someone willing to restrict democracy's ideal to deal with issues such as crime and the environment may believe that representative bodies should handle these issues rather than be decided through referendums.
Another suggestion, according to Beckman, is that democracy refers to the political freedoms and rights in the Swedish constitution (Grundlagen = Basic Law). He argues that it is relevant to remember that the Swedish constitution allows for limitations of political freedoms and rights, as happened during the pandemic. Beckman writes that if Swedes, meaning participants/respondents in the study, are aware of this and believe that this is the question- they have no different opinion than that of authorities and political bodies:
Perhaps this is what really concerns Widmalm and Persson. They hint – but do not explicitly state – that temporary restrictions on democratic rights are never justifiable. Under the current system, for example, freedom of speech can be limited concerning national security, public order, individual security, public supply, privacy, and the prevention and prosecution of crime. If that is Widmalm and Persson's view, they should advocate for comprehensive constitutional reform.
Furthermore, Beckman writes that instead of criticizing Sweden's constitution, Widmalm and Persson express concern that Swedes have an opinion similar to what is expressed in the constitution.
When it comes to references to Tingsten and democracy as "over-ideology" not colored by political and party-political sympathies, Beckman writes that:
Unfortunately, it is still being determined whether Tingsten is helpful. Anyone embracing democracy as an "over-ideology" does so for reasons, and there may be reasons for democracy that are compatible with its temporary limitations. What reasons Widmalm and Persson have for being democrats are not clear, only that it is about "fundamental principles." But principles are precise reasons, and why their reasons do not allow for temporary restrictions on democracy remains shrouded in mystery.
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