- 學位論文
民主理論視角下的選舉權
Study of Suffrage: Perspective of Democratic Theory
摘要
本文之所以名為「民主理論視角下的選舉權」，即是試圖對做為當代代議民主的核心要素的選舉與選舉權問題進行規範研究，尤其注重從民主理論的角度來探討選舉與選舉權的當代意義和處境。國內學界近年來關於選舉的相關研究雖日益蓬勃，但多半是以發掘及釐清經驗事實為目標的實證研究，相形之下，對於選舉與選舉權問題所進行的規範研究則明顯較不活絡。 民主政治發展至今，已為一般大眾所普遍接受，並認為是較為理想或可行的政治體制。為了充分瞭解選舉對於民主實現的重要性，就必須釐清民主與選舉間的關聯，從而使得民主的功能能獲致充分的發揮。因此，審視「選舉」在民主政治中所扮演的角色，實為一件令人不容輕忽與值得探討的議題。 本論文採用文獻分析法將邊沁、詹姆士．彌爾、約翰．彌爾、熊彼得等四人對於民主理念、選舉權的主張作歸納、整理、分析與比較，以作為本文欲探討選舉權的民主理論基礎。 由於投票行為在現今多數國家中為普遍廣泛參與政治事務的一種方式，因此，諸多政治參與形式之一的投票行為便成為最被廣泛討論的議題。然而，雖然投票是民主政治的基本體現；但是，民主運作重要的精神體現，應是公民能夠對於公共政策能進行公開、理性的思辨與討論，而非僅限於選舉投票的參與行為。 因此，公民不能僅是因為擁有選舉權而自滿，而是更必須要擁有足夠的知識、教育與經驗，來充分行使其投票選舉權。因為，民主的命運應是掌握在其成員自己的手中，當政權最終決定於被治者的參與時，民主的治理就必須依靠在公民的共同參與及責任之上。換言之，討論公民的參與行為就不能忽視其所相對應的責任。 民主運作的重要精神體現，應是在於是否能夠於對公共政策進行公開的思辨與討論，而選舉投票僅是遂行這項機制的一個行動；更重要的是，民主是否有其商議的可能性。如果沒有了公民的參與、討論與商議的機制，任何制度都僅是流於形式的，而只有當公民能夠參與公共思辨和討論眾多議題的前提基礎上來進行投票選出代表們時，民主的代議機制才能保持其商議的性質，保有其應有的優越性。
並列摘要
The reason why this article called " Study of Suffrage: Perspective of Democratic Theory," is trying to study contemporary representative democracy as a core element of the election and voting rights, with particular emphasis from the perspective of democratic theory. The domestic academic research in recent years about the election are growing ever more prosperous, but most of the research is to explore and clarify the fact that the goal of empirical research, in contrast, normative research is clearly less active. Democratic political development has been generally accepted by the general public, and that is more desirable or viable political system. In order to fully understand the importance of the election for the realization of democracy, we must clarify the connection between democracy and elections, and we should making democracy function attainable full play. So, the role of election in democratic politics can’t be overlooked and worth exploring issues. The method to carry on in this study is document analysis with analysis of democracy theories of Jeremy Bentham, James Mill, John S. Mill and Joseph A. Schumpeter in suffrage. This thesis finds: Because voting behavior is very popular in today's broad participation in political affairs as a universal way, so empirical study of voting behavior has become the most widely discussed topics. Nevertheless, the vote is a basic expression of democratic politics. However, embodying the spirit of democratic functioning is important. Citizens should participate in the process of public policy with rational thinking and discussion, not just the act of participation in elections. Therefore, citizens can’t just be complacent because they have the right to vote, but also they must have enough knowledge, education and experience to fully exercise their right to vote. Because, the fate of democracy should rests in the hands of its own members, when the regime were finally decided by the participation of the governed, democratic governance must rely on the common participation of citizens and accountability. In other words, to discuss the participation of citizens can’t ignore their behavior corresponding responsibility. This thesis concludes: Embodying the spirit of democracy is that public policy should be speculated and discussed in public, and elections are only a mechanism of action to carry it out. But, more importantly, democracy should be a possibility of its deliberations. Without citizen participation, discussion and negotiation mechanism, any system is only a mere formality. It is only when citizens participate in public speculation and discussion based on the premise of many issues up for vote for representatives, the democratic representative institutions in order to maintain the nature of its deliberations, should maintain its superiority.