PROCEDURAL DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW

Abstract

It is commonly thought that while the rule of law is a requirement of liberal democracy it is not a requirement of procedural democracy. Using Robert Dahl’s account of procedural democracy, this article examines the relationship between the rule of law and procedural democracy. It argues that the rule of law is, in fact, a requirement of procedural democracy. This article defends three claims. First, the protection of political liberties, and free and fair elections, which are both essential for procedural democracies, depend on the rule of law. Second, the absence of the rule of law undermines the relationship of vertical accountability between politicians and voters—an essential aspect of procedural democracy. Finally, shortcomings of a regime with respect to the rule of law facilitates democratic backsliding in regimes that partially satisfy the requirements of procedural democracy.

Keywords

• Liberal Democracy
• Procedural Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Democratic Backsliding
• Vertical Accountability

PROSEDÜREL DEMOKRASİ VE HUKUKUN ÜSTÜNLÜĞÜ

Abstract

Hukukun üstünlüğü, liberal demokrasinin bir şartı olarak kabul edilse de prosedürel demokrasinin bir şartı olarak görülmemektedir. Bu makale, Robert Dahl’ın sunduğu prosedürel demokrasi tanımını merkeze alarak hukukun üstünlüğünün prosedürel demokrasinin de gereği olduğunu savunmakta ve prosedürel demokrasi ile hukukun üstünlüğü arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektedir. Bu makale üç iddiayı savunmaktadır. İlkin, prosedürel demokrasi için şart olan hakların güvence altına alınması ve seçimlerin adil ve özgür olmasının sağlanması için hukukun üstünlüğünün tesis edilmesi gereklidir. İkinci olarak, prosedürel demokrasinin temel amaçlarından biri olan dikey hesap verebilirliğin, seçmenlerin seçilenlerden hesap sorabilmesinin, sağlanmasında hukukun üstünlüğü büyük önem taşır. Son olarak, hukukun üstünlüğüyle ilgili sistematik kusurlar, prosedürel demokrasinin gereklerinin kısmen yerine getirildiği rejimlerin daha otoriter rejimlere dönüşmesini kolaylaştırmaktadır.

Keywords

• Liberal demokrasi
• Prosedürel demokrasi
• Hukukun üstünlüğü
• Demokratik gerileme
• Dikey hesap verebilirlik

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