Freedom of Expression, Association, and Elections in Democracies

This sociology essay, drawing on Dahl's work, explores the crucial role of freedom of expression, association, and free and fair elections in a large-scale democracy. It discusses how freedom of expression empowers citizens to participate in political life, evaluate government actions, and voice their needs. The essay also examines association autonomy, enabling citizens to form groups and political parties to represent their interests, and the importance of free and fair elections for political stability and economic relationships. The essay emphasizes that without these freedoms, democracy suffers, and economic and political development are hindered. The essay references various scholarly articles to support its arguments, highlighting the interconnectedness of these democratic elements and their impact on a nation's internal strength and international relations. This essay is a valuable resource for students studying political science and sociology, offering insights into the essential components of a democratic society.

Running Head: Sociology
Sociology (Economics)
Essay
System04104
2/29/2020

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1. Freedom of Expression
Dahl (2005) in his article “What Political Does Large-Scale Democracy Require?” has
explained about the six factors and ‘freedom of expression’ is one of them. According to
Dahl (2005), freedom of expression required for people or citizens of a country to participate
effectively in political life. The freedom of expression provides opportunities for the people
to evaluate the work of government and make the government responsible for their
responsibilities towards the people (Dahl 187). Freedom of expression is a weapon in the
hand of citizens in a large democracy to express their demands and needs to the government
and also asked them to focus on their role towards the society. This will further force the
government to think about the economic factors such as export or import things for the
citizens and for their wellbeing. This will also help the government to form relationship with
rest of the world. Freedom of expression does not mean to convey your issues or matters to
others rather it is also the right of people to listen what other have to say (Dahl 197).
However, it is mentioned in the article that without freedom of expression, citizens cannot
influence the government neither they can present their agendas in front of the government.
The author also concluded his words about effective use of freedom of expression and said
that silent people are helpful in authoritarian ruler and they would badly affect the democracy
because they can be a disaster for a democracy (Dahl 197).
2. Association Autonomy
To express the interest or agenda, it is the right of citizens to form collaboration with people
having same ideology or agenda to represent in front of the government. The freedom of
association autonomy provides crucial rights to the citizens to directly form an independent
association or organisations. This group or association can be also in form of political parties

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or in any interest groups that can represent the interest or agenda of people towards the
government. However, the right of people to form an independent group or political parties
also help them to support or criticise the government for their activities, which are not in
favour of the citizens (Wright 18). The power of association in the hands of people forces the
government to care about the interest of people and continuously focuses on the needs of
citizens in the country. However, it has been seen that freedom of association or forming
political parties cannot be seen in those countries that are capitalist country or dependent on
one political party rule such as China. The freedom of autonomy and forming parties against
or in favour of government can only be seen in liberal democracy such as USA, India, and
Britain etc. However, the association autonomy helps the citizens of the country to ensure
their effective participation in the democracy and shows their understanding about the works
of government and also help the government to understand the needs of people and fulfil their
demand on time to time (Burch 40).
3. Free, Fair, and Frequent Elections
Free and fair election is the soul of a liberal democracy and ensures political stability in a
country. In a democratic country, it is the right of people to vote and form government who
works in favour of its citizens (Obydenkova and Salahodjaev 185). The citizens have equal
and effective opportunity of vote and which is really necessary for the people to enjoy their
rights to form governments. The free and fair voting facility for citizens in the country is
essential in order to establish a strong and effective democracy that not only helps the country
to show its liberal democracy. This will also help the country to establish good relationship
with other country and establish economic relationship with them (Shabbir 110). The internal
strength and democratic rule helps the country to trade with other part of the world and
without fair and free facility of government, the strong economic relationship cannot be

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possible. However, the equal value of vote helps the democracy to form frequent elections
and ensure a stable government that will further help a nation to establish an economic
relationship with other nations and form trade relationship with the countries. Free and fair
election in a country shows the strength of people and their believe in the present government
that allow other nations to establish economic relationship with the government. It has been
seen that the election and process of election somewhere shows the type of democracy in the
country that will further allow the country to set import and export relationship with other
economy.

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References
Burch, Kurt. "A primer on problem-based learning for international relations
courses." International Studies Perspectives 1.1 (2000): 31-44.
Dahl, Robert A. "What political institutions does large-scale democracy require?." Political
Science Quarterly 120.2 (2005): 187-197.
Obydenkova, Anastassia V., and Raufhon Salahodjaev. "Climate change policies: The role of
democracy and social cognitive capital." Environmental research 157 (2017): 182-189.
Shabbir, Ghulam. "Corruption, Democracy and Economic Growth: Does Conditionality
Matter?." Pakistan Economic and Social Review 55.1 (2017): 99-117.
Wright, Robin B. The Iran primer: power, politics, and US policy. US Institute of Peace
Press, (2010): 17-20.