...Democracy = a political system based on the idea that government should serve the interests of the people. Legitimacy = the extent to which a government has the right to rule and exercise power. Power vs. Authority: * Power= the ability to make someone do something that they would not do of their own free will * E.g - Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends – the military * Authority = the right to exercise power (based on the consent of those being ruled) * E.g - Legal/rational – HOC * E.g – Traditional – HOL Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media What makes a government legitimate? * Referendums (‘Yes’ answers) * High turnout * Free, fair and regular elections * Lack of dissent * Displays of public support How legitimate is the UK? Legitimate | Not legitimate | * House of Commons is elected | * Electoral system unfair and distorts political representation (FPTP) | * Government elected with mandate to govern | * Every government elected has only achieved the minority of the popular vote | * House of Lords has traditional authority and political influence is...
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...The Power of Government Alvin Woodall National Government 1103 The project that I choose was “The power and influence of political parties in state/ local government and how it has changed over the years.” I will show what powers state/local governments have and some of the changes that state/local government has gone through. What the state/local government did in the past. How political parties influence what goes on in state/local government in the present. How these powers and influence affect the people and what the people can do to control this power and influence of the political parties in state/local government. How the power of the state governor has changed since colonial times. What responsibilities the state government has to local governments. How the local governments influence the state government. Show the different kinds of local governments and what powers they have. How the state/local government political parties differ in what they think. I will show how County Governments, Town or Township Governments, Municipal Governments and Special-Purpose Local Governments work. What means political parties use to get the people to vote for them. How the political parties in state/local government could use their power and influence for the good or bad of the people. What Special-Purpose Local Governments are and how they help the community. How the power and influence the political parties in state/local government affect the national government and how...
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...After Lenin’s death, a power struggle ensued that resulted in a shift from collective leadership in the Soviet Union to Josef Stalin emerging and establishing his position as the individual leader of the state. To the majority of the Communist Party this was an improbable development as it was thought Trotsky would succeed Lenin. Trotsky had originally affirmed allegiance to the Mensheviks after the spilt of the social democrats in 1903, nevertheless the outbreak of revolution in 1917 witnessed Trotsky joining the Bolshevik party and playing a crucial part in the communist takeover that followed. He began his time in government as the foreign commissar and was principle negotiator in the peace terms with Germany; he then became war commissar and played a vital role in the preservation of the Bolshevik regime by leading the red army to victory against the whites in the civil war. It was down to these factors that Trotsky was seen as the evident heir of Lenin. As well as this Stalin had never posed any threat, Kamenev had described Stalin as ‘a small town politician… a man with no ideas or ambitions’ . However, Trotsky and other leading politicians such as Kamenev and Zinoviev underestimated Stalin’s abilities. Trotsky especially, felt secure as the next successor to Lenin and so when opportunities arose to eradicate Stalin from the party he made the mistake of not taking hold of them. For example, Lenin’s last testament called for the removal of Stalin however Trotsky failed to...
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...Capitalism-(Russia)--In a capitalist or free-market economy, people own their own businesses and property and must buy services for private use, such as healthcare Socialism (Norway)-- Socialist governments own many of the larger industries and provide education, health and welfare services while allowing citizens some economic choices Communism (Cuba)-- In a communist country, the government owns all businesses and farms and provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare. Politics - how is the government run? Dictatorship (Iraq)-- Rule by a single leader who has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights. Totalitarian (China)-- Rule by a single political party. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country. Theocracy (Iran)-- A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity. Monarchy (Jordan)-- A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes has absolute power. Power is passed along through the family Parliamentary (Israel)-- A parliamentary system is led by representatives of the people. Each is chosen as a member of a political party and remains in power as long as his/her party does Republic (USA)-- A republic is led by representatives of the voters. Each is individually chosen for a set period of...
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...What use is the Westminster Model of British Government? The Westminster model for centuries has always been the face of British politics. “Traditionally British political scientists tended to believe that the Westminster model provided democratic and effective government” and “was well suited to gradual and evolutionary change, capable of adapting where appropriate but conserving traditions and conventions that had proven themselves to be effective over a long period” (McAulla, 2006, p. 14). However, within recent decades the debate of whether the Westminster model is of use to the British government was created. This can largely be a result to the United Kingdom joining the European Union and aspects of devolution. To answer the question of what use is the Westminster model of British government, the Westminster model must firstly be understood. Thus, I will first explain the core features of the Westminster model and then assess its use of British government. The Westminster model is a unique one and parliamentary sovereignty exemplifies this. Under the Westminster system, power resides exclusively in a single national authority; parliament with no entrenched and autonomous powers being vested in any other body (Norton, 2004, p. 324). As such, no national body can question the legitimacy of its decisions, however, theoretically, the monarch holds the power to dissolve parliament. Other than that, parliament can pass any bill it wishes in theory and can remove any previously...
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...There hasn’t been a comparison about the shifting possession of religious power in Cambodia. By analysing the use of monks as political actors by the regimes and analysing the shift in religious power we can find out how both regimes used religion to establish a base of power in society. Additionally, this can learn us more about the different uses of religion by communist-inspired and western-inspired parties and it’s relation with the wider uses of Judeo-Christian secularism and laicism by respectively the United States and the Soviet Union. This essay tries to analyse the way in which the Sangha was used by the Republican and communist forces. The main question of this essay is: ‘How did the Republican Party (1970-1975) and the Khmer Rouge...
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...Groups Definition: “an organisation which seeks to influence a comparatively small range of public policies and which is not attributed to a recognized political party.” Function of Pressure Groups Governing process: they play a key role in the governing process. They are involved in all stages of the policy making process, ensuring the interests of the public are taken into account. Representative function: they either represent; Sections of the public The interests of the general public. (They claim) Educative function: they help to educate/inform the public and the government about politically important issues. Opportunities: they provide more opportunity for political participation than parties do. Scrutinize: they often scrutinize legislation, giving suggestions on how it may be improved. Tension release: pressure groups provide an outlet for people’s emotions, particularly if they are strong ones about certain issues (for example, the Iraq war, dog hunting etc.) This is a highly important function, as it helps maintain a peaceful society, as people can channel their emotions in a non-violent way. Types of Pressure Group Insider: a pressure group that has strong links with decision makers and are regularly consulted on areas of policy. They are so called because they work inside the political system through MPs, peers and committees. They may have this access because they are deemed to be relatively moderate by the government, who want to...
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...Backbench Mps are highly effective within the British Political system, as they‘re able to scrutinize government actions and hold them to account in numerous ways. Their role in Parliament in westminster ensures the democratic legitimacy of UK government and gives the government authority and a right to exercise political power. Backbench Mps also increase the overall representation of the UK through Parliament. However, with growing government powerl, often called exessive, there have been recent fears among politicians that as elective dictatorship has formed in the UK, and backbench MPs have little power in holding the government to account due to the party system, which ensures MPs are dictated by ministers and party whips, where persuasive ways reduce their effectiveness withing the political system. I will therefore outline the arguments both for and against how effective backbench MPs are in British Politics today. Firstly, backbench Mps are key in calling the govenrment of today to account, making them answerable for their actions and policies. This is achieved through questions to the Prime Minister and questions to ministers. Through Prime Ministers questions which takes place weekly for half an hour, backbench Mps from the governing party and the opposition are able to scrutinize the weekly actions of the govenrment. Backbench MPs also use this system to increase the representative function of Parliament, through raising specific issues of their constituents from...
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...“limitless” power throughout England over a poor population in which society has an isolated nature by the use of dictatorship. As the isolated nature of the characters may be the genesis of the party’s power, this is only one factor. Telescreens, CCTV, and hidden microphones are situated in the ‘1984’ society, to manipulate the minds and alter the thoughts of the general population. The undeveloped, urban life and land of ‘1984’ portrays the dangers of totalitarianism. Furthermore, the novel is set in the future, which exposes the Party, a totalitarian government, and their control on the past and thriving strength. Truly then, the setting of the novel (isolated nature) affects the development of various themes such as psychological manipulation, dangers of totalitarianism, the party’s subversiveness, historical control leading to power. The party’s way of dealing with subversive people is to make them disappear, and eventually remove them from history, therefore giving the party absolute power to change the past and the future. In 1984, ‘people simply disappear’, their ‘name was removed from the register’ and their ‘one-time existence was denied and forgotten’. In a totalitarian society, Orwell illustrates that if citizens cast criticism or dissent, they are ‘abolished’ to conserve complete control and avoid a rebellion. Orwell’s view on this political concept was constructed through his experience of the nightmarish atrocities committed by fascist political regimes such...
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...Firstly, referendums have been held to prevent the internal collapse of political parties. This refers to situations in which a political party is divided over a political issue, and the lack of consensus jeopardises the stability of the party. Failure to reach a consensus may cause revolts amongst back-bencher's, rendering party whips redundant. This can seriously danger the electoral prospects of the party, as publicly divided parties causes the electorate to lose confidence. Referendums therefore provide a democratic form of dispute resolution. A good example of this being exercised in practice is the 1975 referendum over the UK's membership to the European Union. This prevented the collapse of Harold Wilson's Labour Government. Secondly, referendums are used when Government is confronted with extremely controversial political issues. Governments use referendums in these circumstances because deciding the issue themselves may sometimes lead to serious public discontent, once again jeopardising the public popularity and electoral prospects of the party. Membership to the EU is an example of such an issue. An even more obvious example is the Good Friday Agreement referendum. Thirdly, referendums are used to further democracy, and in particular, direct democracy. Political parties in modern, liberal-minded countries all have democracy as a central theme of their electoral manifesto. The 1997 Labour Party manifesto is a key example, as it explicitly expressed a commitment towards...
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...procedures * Rules about political parties, typically changes to election laws * Eligibility to vote * How candidates and political parties are able to stand (nomination rules) and how they are able to get their names onto ballots (ballot access) * Electoral constituencies and election district borders * Ballot design and voting equipment * Scrutineering (election monitoring by candidates, political parties, etc.) * Safety of voters and election workers * Measures against bribery, coercion, and conflicts of interest * Financing of candidates' and referendum campaigns * Factors which affect the rate of voter participation (voter turnout) Electoral Reforms in India: Issues and Challenges before theElection Commission INTRODUCTION “An election is a moral horror, as bad as a battle except for the blood; a mud bath for every soul concerned in it.” - George Bernard Shaw Electoral reform means introducing fair electoral systems for conducting fair elections. It alsoincludes recuperation of the existing systems to enhance and increase the efficiency of the same.One of the most important features of our democratic structure is elections which are held atregular intervals. Free and fair elections are indispensable for a healthy democracy. India has an indirect form of democracy which implies that the government draws its authority from the “willof the people”. It is the citizens who have the sovereign power to elect the...
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...can affect Marketing? Prove with example? GOVERNMENT INSTABILITY: If the government cannot ensure the basic services it provides for people, such as security and the possibility of procuring food and shelter, it loses the power to enforce laws and political instability ensues. Political instability is associated with the concept of a failed state. So it means that government which fails to fulfill their task is known as Government Instability. Affect Of Government Instability On Marketing: The instability of the government has an adverse impact on the marketing and industrial activity in a country. If governments are unstable, consumers often become more cautious in their spending habits. they're usually frightened about job security and so want to put their earnings into saving rather than spending. This is usually because traditional investors normally want to invest in areas of stability so as to ensure a reasonable return on capital. If the situation is unstable, employers shed jobs. And so it goes on. Global instability makes it difficult for companies that are not doing well to capture their market shares. The success of the Business Continuity Program when it comes to planning to counter political instability largely depends upon Stability of Government, Type of Government, Economic and trade policy of Government, Diplomatic events in surrounding countries And Readiness of the company in international competition. It also strongly...
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...government, The Party, is an adherent of a totalitarianism political system. The Party uses various methods to keep their people oppressed in order to stay in power. The unknown government leaders in the novel cling to the utilization of censorship, propaganda, and secret police in order to keep the citizens of Oceania laden with ignorance and little individuality; to withhold their grasp on political power in the superstate. The Party ensures the effectiveness of these three methods by preforming actions such as: censoring people by not allowing the possession of personal journals as well as obliterating all forms of literature, spreading propaganda, such as their slogans and mass exposure to their figure of a political leader Big Brother, and finally application of a constant pressure radiated by a mysterious and unmerciful group of police, the Thought Police. A key practice used by Winston's government to maintain control politically is censorship. For example, Winston secretly purchases a diary to keep record in, though “[it] was not illegal (nothing was illegal, since there [are] no longer any laws), but if detected it [is] reasonably certain that it would be [punishable] by death, or at least by twenty-five years in a forced labor camp” (9). Even though it is not illegal, the small action of purchasing a diary could cause sever consequences for Winston just because his government does not want expression of individual thoughts. This supports the idea that the party abides by...
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...The initial consolidation of the Nazi power in 1933The initial consolidation of the Nazi power in 1933-34 The initial consolidation of the Nazi power in 1933-34 takes form in three points: the German situation, the Nazi rootlessness, and the political acts and people that made it all possible. The German situation helped account for the initial consolidation of Nazi power in 1933-34. Due to the Wall Street Crash in 1929 the economy crashed all over the world, but none worse than in Germany. Due to the World War 1 payback, Germany was already suffering economically and they were only keeping afloat with the funds from US investors, but with the Wall Street Crash the investors withdrew their money from Germany resulting in businesses all over Germany collapsing; bankruptcy becoming nationwide and unemployment levels leapt upwards. The economic impact of this led many counties to move to protect their own domestic industries, resulting in high tariffs. In March 1930 and May 1932, the German Chancellor, Heinrich Bruning, pursued an orthodox economic policy of ridge deflation. The deflation involved increasing taxation and decreasing government expenditure. Then in July 1931, Germany suffered a major banking crisis. The country’s biggest banks, the Danat, went bankrupt. The impact this had for families meant that they were forced into poverty, Living on the streets, Health levels deteriorated, Children were forced to leave school early, Families broke up as men left to seek work...
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...Power and Politics In social science and politics, power is the ability to influence the behavior of people. The term authority is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure. Power can be seen as evil or unjust, but the exercise of power is accepted as endemic to humans as social beings. In the corporate environment, power is often expressed as upward or downward. With downward power, a company's superior influences subordinates. When a company exerts upward power, it is the subordinates who influence the decisions of the leader (Greiner & Schein, 1988). The use of power need not involve coercion (force or the threat of force). At one extreme, it more closely resembles what everyday English-speakers call influence, although some authors make a distinction between power and influence – the means by which power is used (Handy, C. 1993 Understanding Organisations). Much of the recent sociological debate on power revolves around the issue of the enabling nature of power. A comprehensive account of power can be found in Steven Lukes Power: A Radical View where he discusses the three dimensions of power. Thus, power can be seen as various forms of constraint on human action, but also as that which makes action possible, although in a limited scope. Much of this debate is related to the works of the French philosopher Michel Foucault (1926–1984), who, following the Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), sees power as "a complex...
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