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Essay / Liberal Democracy Essay - 786
From the Greek polis to French absolutism to Italian fascism, the political system has varied in both spatial domain and temporal range. The dynamism with which the zeitgeist moves from one political system to another raises an essential question: is there a definitive form of government? The dynamism that spread other forms of governance in the past now appears to favor liberal democracy, and many make the argument that liberal democracy is the final form of government. However, to establish such a case, three conditions must be met. This essay will discuss what the three conditions are, how the three conditions are not met, or in cases where they are, why they are insufficient for the end of the history of liberal democracy and d other shortcomings in the current policy framework that suggest otherwise. . - The first condition is that liberal democracy is the best form of government. This is because I interpret the political system as being analogous to consumer goods where consumers (citizens for forms of government) are attracted to the better product. It must be optimal at two levels of analysis: by being compatible with human nature and with the current social zeitgeist. Regarding human nature, liberals posit that humans tend to prioritize the idea of ββthe individual over the community and that human nature is not malleable. However, given that no empirical evidence systematically and rigorously supports such a claim, and that there are a plethora of other claims, such as those of conservatives and Marxists, and that equally valid empirical evidence (such as that which support those of liberals) support incongruence. According to these claims, it is difficult to determine whether human nature is compatible with liberal democracy. Furthermore,...... middle of article ......d of liberal democracy, for example Islamic fundamentalism). For example, radical Islamism in Iran, initially led by Ayatollah Khoemeni. Even if such radical Islamism may fade, it is difficult to imagine other moderate Islamic countries renouncing their religious ideals and abandoning Sharia law. The second argument is that although all countries may appear to be de jure liberal democracies, and thus ending the story, they may in fact be de facto authoritarian regimes or illiberal democracies. For example, although the trend toward liberal democracy after the 1816 Treaty of Westphalia is rather clear and supported by empirical evidence β as shown by democratic indices such as Freedom House and Polity IV β the argument that democracy liberal is the ultimate form of human government seems rather controversial.