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HSY2601 ASSIGNMENT 4 semester 1 2023
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HSY2601 ASSIGNMENT 4 semester 1 2023
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HSY2601 Assignment 4 Semester 1 2023Topic 1:
Liberal democracy and autocracy “As imperial Germany enjoyed universal
manhood suffrage from 1871, it was a more democratic society than Britain
with its qualified franchise.” Do you agree?
Discuss critically. Write an essay of 800-1500 words (three to five pages) in
length.
The question of whether imperial Germany enjoyed universal manhood suffrage
and was a more democratic society than Britain with its qualified franchise is a
complex one that requires a critical examination of both the political systems of the
two countries and their respective histories. While it is true that Germany granted
universal manhood suffrage earlier than Britain, this alone is not sufficient to
determine the level of democracy in the two countries. This essay will examine the
historical context and political systems of both countries to determine whether the
claim holds true.
Firstly, it is important to note that the concept of democracy is multi-faceted and
can be interpreted in various ways. One common definition of democracy is a
system of government in which power is held by the people, either directly or
through elected representatives. However, there are various forms of democracy,
such as liberal democracy and direct democracy, which emphasize different
aspects of democratic governance.
In the case of imperial Germany, universal manhood suffrage was introduced in
1871, meaning that all men over the age of 25 had the right to vote. However, this
did not necessarily mean that Germany was a more democratic society than
Britain. While the franchise was wider in Germany, the political system was still
largely autocratic, with power concentrated in the hands of the Kaiser and his
appointed ministers. The Reichstag, which was the lower house of the German
parliament, had limited power and was subject to the Kaiser's veto. In addition, the
upper house, or Bundesrat, was dominated by appointed representatives of the
German states, rather than elected representatives.
, On the other hand, Britain had a more liberal democratic system, in which power
was more evenly distributed between the monarch, the elected parliament, and the
judiciary. While the franchise was limited to men who met certain property and
residency requirements, this was gradually expanded over time to include more of
the population. By the early 20th century, nearly 60% of adult men had the right to
vote, and women were also granted the vote in 1918 (albeit with some restrictions).
Moreover, Britain had a tradition of constitutional government that placed limits
on the power of the monarch and ensured that the government was accountable to
parliament. This was exemplified by the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which
established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty and the Bill of Rights. The
British political system also had a strong tradition of individual rights and
freedoms, such as freedom of speech, which were protected by the common law
and the judiciary.
In contrast, Germany did not have the same tradition of constitutional government
or individual rights. The country was only unified in 1871, and prior to that, it was
divided into numerous smaller states with different legal and political systems.
This meant that there was no strong tradition of constitutionalism or individual
rights that could be drawn upon in the creation of a democratic political system.
Furthermore, the political culture of Germany was influenced by authoritarian and
militaristic values, which were reflected in the country's political institutions and
policies. The German military had a strong influence over the Kaiser and the
government, and this was reflected in the country's aggressive foreign policy in the
lead-up to World War I.
In conclusion, while it is true that imperial Germany enjoyed universal manhood
suffrage earlier than Britain, this alone does not mean that Germany was a more
democratic society. The political system of Germany was still largely autocratic,
with power concentrated in the hands of the Kaiser and his appointed ministers,
while the political system of Britain was more liberal democratic, with power
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