CHAPTER 6 - The political system in Denmark Flashcards
What is politics?
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.
What is democracy, and are there different types of democracy?
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.
How is the Danish political system made up?
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.
Does Denmark have full political sovereignty?
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.
What is power, and how does power show up in politics?
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.
What is political participation, and why are participation and
citizenship important to a democracy such as the Danish system?
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.
Autocracy
A political system where one person or group holds absolute power and authority over the government and the citizens.
Catch-all party
A political party that aims to attract voters from across the political spectrum by focusing on centrist positions and avoiding extreme views.
Checks and balances
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.
Citizenship
The legal status of being a member of a particular country, with corresponding rights and responsibilities.
Class party
A political party that represents the interests of a particular social class or group.
Competitive democracy
A type of democracy where multiple political parties compete for votes and the ability to govern.
Core voter
Voters who are strongly attached to a particular political party and who consistently vote for that party.
Decision stage
The stage in the legislative process where decisions are made and policies are established.
Democracy
A form of government in which power is held by the people either directly or through elected representatives.
Direct democracy
A form of democracy in which citizens directly participate in decision-making.
Directive
An official order or instruction from a governing body or leader.
Electoral system
The method used to elect political candidates in a particular country.
Everyday maker
Term used to describe people who are not professional politicians but who seek to influence political decisions and outcomes.
Executive power
The power to enforce laws and administer the government.
Feedback
The process of providing information about the results or outcomes of a specific action, decision or policy.
Fellow citizen
Other members of a community or society who share the same civic status and rights.
Government
A governing body or group of individuals with the authority to make and enforce laws and policies.
Government parties
Political parties that form the government and assume responsibility for governing.
Grassroots movement
A political movement that emerges from the bottom up, driven by ordinary citizens who seek to effect change.
Implementation stage
The stage in the legislative process where laws and policies are put into action.
Initiative stage
The first stage in the legislative process, where issues and proposals are initially introduced and discussed.
Intangible values
Values which cannot be quantified or measured, such as trust and solidarity.
Judicial power
The power to interpret the law and administer justice.
Legal system:
The set of laws, regulations, and legal institutions that apply within a particular country or region.
Legislative power
The power to make laws.
Legislative preparation stage
The stage in the legislative process where research and drafting of legislation is conducted.
Legislative process
The process by which laws are made and amended.
Marginal voter
Voters who are not firmly committed to a particular party and who may change their vote from one election to another.
Material values
Values which can be quantified or measured, such as wealth and income.
Multi-party system
A political system in which multiple political parties compete for power.
Nationality
The status of being a citizen of a particular country.
Negative parliamentarianism
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.
NGO
Non-governmental organizations are groups of people working on a specific cause and are independent of any governmental institution or corporation.
One-party system
A political system in which only one political party is allowed to exist and exercise power.
Opposition party
A political party that does not form part of the government but offers an alternative political perspective and platform.
Parliamentary chain of governance
A system in which power and authority are transferred from the parliament to the government and then to the bureaucracy.
Parliamentary democracy
A form of democracy in which elected legislators have the primary responsibility for governing.
Participation
Being actively involved in a particular process or activity.
Participatory democracy
A form of democracy in which citizens are actively involved in decision-making and policy development.
Plurality voting in single-member constituencies
An electoral system in which voters choose one candidate in single-member constituencies, and the candidate with the most votes wins.
Political consumer
A person who uses their purchasing power to express their political beliefs and values.
Political party
An organization that seeks to influence public policy and government.
Positive parliamentarianism
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.
Power
The ability to influence or control others.
Presidential system
A political system in which the president has the most power.
Principle of the separation of powers
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.
Proportional representation
An electoral system in which political parties receive seats in the legislature proportional to the percentage of votes they receive.
Referendum
A direct vote on a particular issue or policy.
Reflection theory
The theory that democratic governments reflect the preferences and values of their citizens.
Regulation
The process of establishing rules and laws that govern a particular industry or activity.
Representative democracy
A form of democracy in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and develop policies on their behalf.
Rights and duties
The entitlements and responsibilities that come with citizenship, including the right to vote and the duty to follow laws.
Rule of law
The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law and that no one is above the law.
Standing committee
A permanent committee in a legislature that specializes in specific issues or subject areas.
Theocracy
A political system where religious leaders exercise political authority.
Two-party system
A political system where only two major political parties compete for power.
Two-tier principle
The principle that the parliament consists of two chambers, one with more power than the other.
User participation
The active involvement of users or consumers in the design and development of products or services.
Vote of no confidence:
A parliamentary vote that declares a lack of support for the government and may lead to the government’s resignation and a new election.
