Democratic and Undemocratic States: A Comparative Analysis
Democratic and Undemocratic States
Democratic States
Monarchies and Republics
Some states are democratic parliamentary monarchies. In these states, the highest authority is the King, but the sovereignty of the people is recognized. Other democratic countries are parliamentary republics. In these states, the functions of the Head of State are performed by the President of the Republic, who is elected by the citizenry. The state government is in the hands of the Prime Minister.
Liberal and Social States
- Liberal: These states try not to interfere in the economy or social relations. They consider that the economy must operate according to its own rules and under the law of the market, believing that supply and demand regulate prices and labor conditions.
- Social: These states prioritize the need to intervene in various economic and social fields. They put up a series of instruments, such as pensions and unemployment benefits, which are intended to achieve the greatest possible equality among all citizens.
Centralized and Decentralized States
- Centralized: In these states, decisions that affect the regions or territories are taken up by the central government (e.g., France and Poland).
- Decentralized: In these states, power is shared with different territories, which have delegated powers (e.g., Germany).
Undemocratic States
In several countries, power has been exerted or is exercised by one person or a group, deciding according to their interests:
- Absolute Monarchy: The King concentrates all power directly or elects people who exercise these functions on his behalf, acting on behalf of God (e.g., Saudi Arabia and Oman in Asia).
- Dictatorship: A person, with the support of a political party, ethnic group, or the Army, governs with absolute power. Dictatorships have been frequent in Latin American countries and currently exist in many African and Asian countries.
The State: Between Globalization and Regionalization
The state has transferred part of its power to supranational institutions. Regions and big cities are trying to highlight their economic importance, historical and cultural skills to manage, demand, and share some power.
Globalization
Factors influencing the transformation of the more traditional state:
- The globalization of the economy, because capital flows from one country to another without borders.
- The widespread use of new information technologies allows information to circulate through networks in real-time. Globalization has created a global system that includes states that are part of it. For the operation of this system, states have reached agreements, and supranational organizations have been created. These institutions assume part of the sovereignty of the states involved.
Regionalization
Regionalization is understood as places that have a well-developed economic activity, personality, and differentiated cultural and social spaces. Types of regions include:
- Stateless nations, such as Quebec (Canada).
- Consolidated and very different regions, such as Bavaria (Germany).
- Large urban areas and global cities, such as New York, Tokyo, and London.
Principle of subsidiarity: The principle by which the institution closest to the citizenry takes certain decisions.
The State Today
The state still maintains its relevance, although some functions have changed:
- States are coordinators of the regions and cities that comprise their territory, distributing wealth and competencies and ensuring compliance with laws and equal rights and duties of all citizens.
- The state guarantees the creation and maintenance of basic infrastructures that connect different parts of the territory and connect with other countries.
- States are involved in the fight against global terrorism.