off the top of my head, I can ramble on jargon of adjectives that politicans may throw out there to seem progressive through the eyes of democracy. Concepts such as “neo-democracy” or “military democracy.” or “conservative democracy.” Arguably, I feel as though these are filler words to distract the public into thinking we live in a democratic set up…So I guess the question of the course is; how functional is our democratic adjectives… and are they tangible reality we can see.

When I read Collier and Levitsky, the terminology I derive, is conceptual democracy… but its exactly that. A concept, not a real political example. Honestly, it still doesn’t make sense to me. Procedural democracy, meaning the concepts of political procedures found in democracy… but no execution of democratic procedures.

Here is one example of a concept of democracy, no proof if it was executed in society though. “Direct Democracy”

http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/concepts.htm#direct

This next concept of democracy “Interactive Democracy” is where citizens interact via technology to “better” the democratic state through suggestions. Anyone can suggest a policy.

http://interactivedemocracy.blogspot.ca/

http://articles.cnn.com/2013-01-07/middleeast/world_meast_bahrain-unrest_1_key-strategic-role-bahrain-s-independent-commission-appeals-court

In this quick blirb in CNN on jan 7th 2013, states, the verdict of the 13 pro- democracy protester’s taken to trial in Bahrain’s high court. The verdict was 5 year to life for the protesters. Interestingly, they were held in a democratic like trial, with appeals, lawyers etc. However, they were guilty of being pro democracy. However, Bahrain’s high court states the following: “The government has defended its judicial procedures and decisions, saying it provided fair trials.”

How is sentencing life in prison, and removal of citizenship for all activists…a fair process of democratic-like procedures?

Its only taken a week to figure out the blogger world…I’m terrible at navigating the murky waters of online think tanks or forums…

Let me see,

I am a fourth year Poli Sci/ International Relations major minor soon, and hopefully to graduate this coming spring. I hope to someday fulfill my dream and move to the land of spanish moss and sweet tea where I can work in a foreign affairs department in a very republican state in the south of the U.S lol. When I am not following American politics, debating with my family from Georgia about politics, I am going to ballet class and watching grey’s anatomy.

My favorite class I took at UBC was Global Environmental Politics, which also interests me, but I suppose its really all politics in general. Something quirky about me is I have chronic hiccups, and I am obsessed with eating cereal…clearly I am addicted.

See you all in the early morn:)