The concept of liberal democracy. In general, liberal democracy implies the following: recognition of the people as a subject of power; priority of individual freedom over society and the state; freedom of private property and business; non-interference of the state in the personal life of citizens; parliamentarism and separation of powers; effective control by representative bodies over the government.
The concept of collectivist democracy. This concept contrasts liberal individualism with collectivist forms of life and an understanding of rights and freedoms; the priority of the state and society over the individual; general political mobilization and participation of all citizens in the political process even if they don't want it; declarative nature of rights and freedoms; restriction of individual life.
The concept of pluralistic democracy. This concept inherited from the liberal such fundamental values as separation of powers, respect for human rights, and individual freedom. At the same time, pluralistic democracy largely corrects some of the principles of liberal and collectivist concepts. For example, in a pluralistic concept, it is no longer a person or a people, but a group is a central element of the political process; general political will is the result of conflicting interactions between different groups and a compromise; liberal “egoism” is partially limited by group and public interests; the state takes on part of the functions to protect the interests of individuals and social minorities; power is dispersed across various institutions and thereby creates a system of checks and balances that prevents its monopolization.
The concept of elitist democracy. In accordance with it, power in the country is exercised by elites competing among themselves, and people's participation in government is limited by the right to give preference to one or another elite that claims to be in power or is in power.
In the United States, with its system of checks and balances, separation of powers, but at the same time, the practice of official lobbyism and interest groups, both the liberal and pluralistic concepts of democracy, as well as the concept of participations, are clearly expressed.
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