Definitions Flashcards
Legal sovereignty
Ultimate source of all laws and legal powers
Sovereignty
Ultimate political power and the source of all political authority
Political Sovereignty
Location of real political power, at elections the people, between the government.
Popular sovereignty
A form of political, when the people themselves make decisions. Ie: elections
Authority
The right to rule. Traditional, charismatic or rational legal
Power
The ability to make decisions and enforce them even against other groups will
Three types of power?
Coercive
Political
Influential
Stephen Lukes 3 faces of power?
Decision making
Non decision making
Manipulating
The state.
Permanent non political institutions that regulate and aid a country.
Government.
Temporary political institutions that apply politics to the states running
Legitimacy
The degree to which the government or state has the right to exercise power. If it has a valid claim to rule.
Two sources of legitimacy?
Tradition
Force
Pluralism
Power exercised by all, lots of participation, power is evenly dispersed, diversity of opinions.
Elitism.
Power Is limited, limited participation, limited choice. An elite exercises power
Liberal democracy
Democracy that incorporates free and fair elections and highlights the importance of rights and responsibilities
Representative democracy
Citizens elect a representative who enact laws on their behalf
Direct democracy.
Direct unmediated and continuous participation of citizens in politics. Popular Self government.
Democracy
Rule by the people.
Political participation and equality, decisions by the people and all have a free and equal opportunity.
Referendum
Simple yes or no question, direct democracy for the electorate
Human Rights Act
Based on EU convention if rights, passed in 1998
Ways to improve democracy in the UK?
Referendums Initiatives Compulsory votes Digital technology Votes at 16 Recall elections Constitutional reform
2010 Northern Ireland turnout
57.6%
Liverpool riverside low turnout and year?
2003
34.1%
