CHAPTER 6 - The political system in Denmark

Question 1

What is politics?

Answer 1

Politics involves the use of power, influence, and decision-making to govern or manage groups of people and resources. Politics can apply to a range of activities, from local community organizing to national and international governance.

Question 2

What is democracy, and are there different types of democracy?

Answer 2

Democracy is a form of government in which citizens have a say in the shaping of policy and decision-making. Denmark is a parliamentary democracy with a political system characterized by multi-party coalitions. There are several types of democracy, including direct democracy, representative democracy, and deliberative democracy.

Question 3

How is the Danish political system made up?

Answer 3

The Danish political system is made up of three branches: the legislative (Folketinget), the executive (the government), and the judicial (the courts). The Folketinget is responsible for creating laws, the government implements and enforces laws, and the courts interpret and apply laws.

Question 4

Does Denmark have full political sovereignty?

Answer 4

Although Denmark is a member of the European Union, it still retains full political sovereignty as a nation-state. This means that Denmark can govern itself independently and has the power to make its own laws and decisions.

Question 5

What is power, and how does power show up in politics?

Answer 5

Power is the ability to influence or control others, to shape opinions, and to make decisions. Power shows up in politics in the form of decision-making, policy-making, and the use of authority to shape policies. Those who hold power in political systems can exert a great deal of influence and control over the lives of others.

Question 6

What is political participation, and why are participation and
citizenship important to a democracy such as the Danish system?

Answer 6

Political participation refers to any activity that involves the engagement of citizens in the political process, including voting, organizing, protesting, and running for office. Participation is important to democracy because it enables citizens to voice their opinions, exercise their rights, and shape policy decisions. Citizenship is also important to democracy because it confers upon individuals certain rights, freedoms, and responsibilities, which play a key role in shaping a healthy and vibrant democracy.

Question 7

Autocracy

Answer 7

A political system where one person or group holds absolute power and authority over the government and the citizens.

Question 8

Catch-all party

Answer 8

A political party that aims to attract voters from across the political spectrum by focusing on centrist positions and avoiding extreme views.

Question 9

Checks and balances

Answer 9

A system in which different branches of government have the power to check or limit the actions of the other branches, preventing any one branch from having too much power.

Question 10

Citizenship

Answer 10

The legal status of being a member of a particular country, with corresponding rights and responsibilities.

Question 11

Class party

Answer 11

A political party that represents the interests of a particular social class or group.

Question 12

Competitive democracy

Answer 12

A type of democracy where multiple political parties compete for votes and the ability to govern.

Question 13

Core voter

Answer 13

Voters who are strongly attached to a particular political party and who consistently vote for that party.

Question 14

Decision stage

Answer 14

The stage in the legislative process where decisions are made and policies are established.

Question 15

Democracy

Answer 15

A form of government in which power is held by the people either directly or through elected representatives.

Question 16

Direct democracy

Answer 16

A form of democracy in which citizens directly participate in decision-making.

Question 17

Directive

Answer 17

An official order or instruction from a governing body or leader.

Question 18

Electoral system

Answer 18

The method used to elect political candidates in a particular country.

Question 19

Everyday maker

Answer 19

Term used to describe people who are not professional politicians but who seek to influence political decisions and outcomes.

Question 20

Executive power

Answer 20

The power to enforce laws and administer the government.

Question 21

Feedback

Answer 21

The process of providing information about the results or outcomes of a specific action, decision or policy.

Question 22

Fellow citizen

Answer 22

Other members of a community or society who share the same civic status and rights.

Question 23

Government

Answer 23

A governing body or group of individuals with the authority to make and enforce laws and policies.

Question 24

Government parties

Answer 24

Political parties that form the government and assume responsibility for governing.

Question 25

Grassroots movement

Answer 25

A political movement that emerges from the bottom up, driven by ordinary citizens who seek to effect change.

Question 26

Implementation stage

Answer 26

The stage in the legislative process where laws and policies are put into action.

Question 27

Initiative stage

Answer 27

The first stage in the legislative process, where issues and proposals are initially introduced and discussed.

Question 28

Intangible values

Answer 28

Values which cannot be quantified or measured, such as trust and solidarity.

Question 29

Judicial power

Answer 29

The power to interpret the law and administer justice.

Question 30

Legal system:

Answer 30

The set of laws, regulations, and legal institutions that apply within a particular country or region.

Question 31

Legislative power

Answer 31

The power to make laws.

Question 32

Legislative preparation stage

Answer 32

The stage in the legislative process where research and drafting of legislation is conducted.

Question 33

Legislative process

Answer 33

The process by which laws are made and amended.

Question 34

Marginal voter

Answer 34

Voters who are not firmly committed to a particular party and who may change their vote from one election to another.

Question 35

Material values

Answer 35

Values which can be quantified or measured, such as wealth and income.

Question 36

Multi-party system

Answer 36

A political system in which multiple political parties compete for power.

Question 37

Nationality

Answer 37

The status of being a citizen of a particular country.

Question 38

Negative parliamentarianism

Answer 38

A political system in which the government needs only a simple majority to stay in power and only a negative parliamentary decision can remove it.

Question 39

NGO

Answer 39

Non-governmental organizations are groups of people working on a specific cause and are independent of any governmental institution or corporation.

Question 40

One-party system

Answer 40

A political system in which only one political party is allowed to exist and exercise power.

Question 41

Opposition party

Answer 41

A political party that does not form part of the government but offers an alternative political perspective and platform.

Question 42

Parliamentary chain of governance

Answer 42

A system in which power and authority are transferred from the parliament to the government and then to the bureaucracy.

Question 43

Parliamentary democracy

Answer 43

A form of democracy in which elected legislators have the primary responsibility for governing.

Question 44

Participation

Answer 44

Being actively involved in a particular process or activity.

Question 45

Participatory democracy

Answer 45

A form of democracy in which citizens are actively involved in decision-making and policy development.

Question 46

Plurality voting in single-member constituencies

Answer 46

An electoral system in which voters choose one candidate in single-member constituencies, and the candidate with the most votes wins.

Question 47

Political consumer

Answer 47

A person who uses their purchasing power to express their political beliefs and values.

Question 48

Political party

Answer 48

An organization that seeks to influence public policy and government.

Question 49

Positive parliamentarianism

Answer 49

A political system in which the government requires a majority of votes to remain in power and a positive parliamentary decision is necessary to remove it from power.

Question 50

Power

Answer 50

The ability to influence or control others.

Question 51

Presidential system

Answer 51

A political system in which the president has the most power.

Question 52

Principle of the separation of powers

Answer 52

A political principle that advocates for separating the functions and powers of government to ensure balance and prevent the concentration of power in one branch or individual.

Question 53

Proportional representation

Answer 53

An electoral system in which political parties receive seats in the legislature proportional to the percentage of votes they receive.

Question 54

Referendum

Answer 54

A direct vote on a particular issue or policy.

Question 55

Reflection theory

Answer 55

The theory that democratic governments reflect the preferences and values of their citizens.

Question 56

Regulation

Answer 56

The process of establishing rules and laws that govern a particular industry or activity.

Question 57

Representative democracy

Answer 57

A form of democracy in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and develop policies on their behalf.

Question 58

Rights and duties

Answer 58

The entitlements and responsibilities that come with citizenship, including the right to vote and the duty to follow laws.

Question 59

Rule of law

Answer 59

The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law and that no one is above the law.

Question 60

Standing committee

Answer 60

A permanent committee in a legislature that specializes in specific issues or subject areas.

Question 61

Theocracy

Answer 61

A political system where religious leaders exercise political authority.

Question 62

Two-party system

Answer 62

A political system where only two major political parties compete for power.

Question 63

Two-tier principle

Answer 63

The principle that the parliament consists of two chambers, one with more power than the other.

Question 64

User participation

Answer 64

The active involvement of users or consumers in the design and development of products or services.

Question 65

Vote of no confidence:

Answer 65

A parliamentary vote that declares a lack of support for the government and may lead to the government's resignation and a new election.