Question

how do you define a good democracy

Answer 1

A quality democracy is a ‘good’ democracy. As is evident, the defining problem concerns what is intended by the adjective. Starting from the definition mentioned above, and from the prevailing notions of quality, I consider a quality or good democracy to be one presenting a stable institutional structure that realizes the liberty and equality of citizens through the legitimate and correct functioning of its institutions and mechanisms. A good democracy is thus first and foremost a broadly legitimated regime that completely satisfies citizens (quality in terms of result). When institutions have the full backing of civil society, they can pursue the values of the democratic regime. If, in contrast, the institutions must postpone their objectives and expe nd energy and resources on consolidating and maintaining their legitimacy, crossing over even the minimum threshold for democracy becomes a remarkable feat.