Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy
In both established and new democratic societies, a functioning national democracy often coexists with one-party rule or authoritarianism at the local and/or regional levels. Because local dysfunction eventually filters up to higher levels, local democracy must be vigilantly protected. This article...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Journal of Moral Theology, Inc.
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Moral Theology |
| Online Access: | https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/11437-local-authoritarianism-as-a-barrier-to-democracy |
| _version_ | 1797654085282824192 |
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| author | Cristina L. H. Traina |
| author_facet | Cristina L. H. Traina |
| author_sort | Cristina L. H. Traina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In both established and new democratic societies, a functioning national democracy often coexists with one-party rule or authoritarianism at the local and/or regional levels. Because local dysfunction eventually filters up to higher levels, local democracy must be vigilantly protected. This article suggests twofold Christian responses. First, although corruption—like nepotism and appropriation of national funds—certainly exacerbates one-party rule and authoritarianism, in most cases these patterns can be traced directly to structural weakness in laws surrounding party formation, voting, and representation. Christians should work to identify and alter these weaknesses. Second, Christians can reshape politics by infusing it with robust claims about human dignity, justice, flourishing, and the common good, as well as demonstrating practices of open dialogue cultivated in Christian community. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:54:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-54b5238bd285473d90e908e8e8e243aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2166-2851 2166-2118 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:54:14Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Moral Theology, Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Moral Theology |
| spelling | doaj.art-54b5238bd285473d90e908e8e8e243aa2023-10-20T17:34:33ZengThe Journal of Moral Theology, Inc.Journal of Moral Theology2166-28512166-21182019-06-0182Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to DemocracyCristina L. H. TrainaIn both established and new democratic societies, a functioning national democracy often coexists with one-party rule or authoritarianism at the local and/or regional levels. Because local dysfunction eventually filters up to higher levels, local democracy must be vigilantly protected. This article suggests twofold Christian responses. First, although corruption—like nepotism and appropriation of national funds—certainly exacerbates one-party rule and authoritarianism, in most cases these patterns can be traced directly to structural weakness in laws surrounding party formation, voting, and representation. Christians should work to identify and alter these weaknesses. Second, Christians can reshape politics by infusing it with robust claims about human dignity, justice, flourishing, and the common good, as well as demonstrating practices of open dialogue cultivated in Christian community.https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/11437-local-authoritarianism-as-a-barrier-to-democracy |
| spellingShingle | Cristina L. H. Traina Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy Journal of Moral Theology |
| title | Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy |
| title_full | Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy |
| title_fullStr | Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy |
| title_short | Local Authoritarianism as a Barrier to Democracy |
| title_sort | local authoritarianism as a barrier to democracy |
| url | https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/11437-local-authoritarianism-as-a-barrier-to-democracy |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cristinalhtraina localauthoritarianismasabarriertodemocracy |