Democracy in Hawaii

Throughout the semester the Idea of Democracy was discussed from a broader world perspective to a more specific perspective, as the idea of Democracy in Hawaii. From the study of “Wars, Funs and Votes” by Paul Collier it became clear that democracy is not easy to achieve and there are a lot of problems that arises from it. Firstly, Collier explains that there is a lot of corruption and dishonest tactics involved which prevents low-income countries to move to a more stable economy and society. One of these dishonest tactics is that political leaders do not have to do a good governing job to get elected because of ethnic loyalty as Collier explains “a society can function perfectly well if its citizens hold multiple identities, but problems arise when those subnational identities arouse loyalties that override loyalty to the nation as a whole” (page. 51). The second problem that prevents democracy from working effectively is that “in low-income countries, democracy made the society more dangerous” (page.20). According to Collier the reason for that problem with democracy is that lower income countries tend to be more diversity and with that diversity the trust level decreases which creates a more dangerous society.

In contrast, the book “Making Democracy” work by Robert Putnam clearly explains what factors are important and necessary in making democracy work. This book uses Italy as an example of a country where democracy has consistently succeeded and continues to positively succeed. Putnam explains that in order for democracy to work the state government needs to work together in favor of the community. In Italy this was done by the constructions of the institutions and these institutions are independent as they shape politics and future results, but at the same time they are dependent and shaped by the place’s history. Trust is a necessary component to making democracy work and political transparency builds trust which on its own builds