Delkurs 3 Flashcards
Government
A government has a monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a state. Securing internal and external sovereignty of the state are major tasks of any government.
Webers def of sovereignty
Sovereignty: The state possesses the monopoly of the use of physical force. Only then can it impose its rule and realize its claim as the most important community.
22
People
A group of people whose common conscious and identity makes them a collective entity
(Persons living together)
20
The first three articles of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Paris 1789
1 Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good
2 The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible right of man. These rights are Liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression
3 The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body or individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.
Internal vs external sovereignty
Internal: within its own territory every state can act as it wishes and is independent of other powers
External: referring to the fact that the state is recognized as a state by other states
21
Failed state
A country that has lost control of some of its territory and government authority and is unable to fulfill the basic functions of a sovereign state
30
Rokkan four phases of nation-state development
State formation Nation building Mass democracies Welfare states 25
Nation-state
A state based in the acceptance of a common culture, a common history and a common fate, irrespective of whatever political, social and economic difference may exist between the members of the nation-state
23
Namn four state theories
Constitutional Ethical and moral Conflict Pluralist 31
When is state force seen as used legitimately according to the people?
When the use of power is in accordance with the norms and values of its citizens
33
What does constitutional state theories imply?
That a state is established as a contract between citizens and rulers. Defines the major functions and tasks for the state and the rulers.
31
Territory
Terrain or geographical area
20
What are the three general patterns for state development?
Transformation - France, Britain
Unification - Germany, Italy
Secession- breakup of Ottoman Empire
24
Empirical political theories
Theories that try to understand, by examining the evidence, how the political world actually works and why it works that way
31
What is a state?
A way to organize government.
Individual political entities each of them recognized by others as a state
States are characterized as having: territory, people and sovereignty
17
Sovereignty
The highest power that gives the state freedom of action within its own territory
21
How can war be seen as a driving force for state building historically?
Partly because when the armies baca me more and more dependent on expensive equipment it became difficult for local lords to fund this and the state was the only organ who could afford it and thus they attained the monopoly on force.
Then wars has been fought between states and shaper we and then and shaped the territory.
28
State
the organization that issues and I forces binding rules for the people within a territory.
Territory, people, sovereignty
20
Country
An imprecise synonym or short-hand term for state or nation state
20
What does ethical and moral state theory approaches imply?
How can we organize the state so people can live in peace and harmony? Minimal state, collectivist, rule of God, anarchy
31
What did Aristotle think of states?
They are no abstract construct but a variant of human social life. It is also the most important one. It is the most important community because it embraces all the rest. And in order to keep its place as the highest and most encompassing community, a state must be more powerful than any of the communities it incorporates
18
Citizen
A legally recognized member or subject of a state (or commonwealth) with all the individual rights and duties of that state
20
Webers def of a state
Territory, people, sovereignty
The monopoly of force must be legitimate, not just legally.
“A compulsory political organization with continuous operation will be called a “state” insofar as its administrative staff successfully uphold the claim to the Monopoly of the Legitimate use of physical force in the enforcement of its order”
23
Normative political theories
Theories about how the world should be
31
What does conflict state theory approaches imply?
Stresses the conflict nature of interests and values in society and see the state as necessary to regulate these conflicts.
Marxism. Feminism
32
What does pluralist state theory approaches imply?
The state is the main instrument for the regulation of conflicts and reconciliation of competing interests.
They see the state as the peaceful battleground for different groups and interests, not as an arena where the elite oppresses the masses.
32
How can capitalism be seen as a generator of state building?
Production requires a safe and available infrastructure.
Investment and profit depend on sisal and physical security and stability.
For the laborer it is good to have education and health facilities.
Police, legal system, banking
28
Twofold assertion when debating formation and development of states
The state concept is bound to western political thought and European history
There is no uniform or general law they governs the appearance of disappearance of states
24
Power
The ability to make other people do what they not want to do. Power is the ability to apply force
Globalisation
The growing interdependencies and interconnected was of the world that reduces autonomy of individual states and the importance of boundaries between them
37
NGO
Non-profit, private and non-violent organizations that are independent of government but seek to influence or control public policy without actually seeking government office
37
Human rights
The innate, inalienable and inviolable right if humans to life, liberty and security of person, as the UN Charter puts it. Such rights cannot be bestowed, granted, limited, bartered or sold away. Inalienable rights can only be secured or violated
41
Representative democracy
That form of democracy in which citizens elect leaders who govern in their name
42
Participatory democracy
That form of democracy in which citizens actively and directly participate in government
42
GDP
The value of all final goods and services produced within a state in a given year. In order to compare the wealth of states the measure used is normally GDP per capita
50
Etatism
A very strong emphasis on state power and an accompanying reduction of social and individual rights
52
Democratistion
The sustainable process of transformator a politisk system towards more democratic arrangements
57
Authoritarian rule
Obedience and submission to authority - that is, the concentration of power in the hands of a leader or elite that is not responsible to parliament. No overt opposition is allowed to compete for power
58
Focusing on the state is right because?
National sovereignty and globalization
States still claim sovereignty and a very small part of the world (EU), has established transnational forms of government that mag render the state obsolete
38
Focusing on the state is wrong, because?
National sovereignty and globalization
The rise of regional and transnational firms of government (EU, NAFTA and UN), of international government agencies (IMF, World Bank) of international NGOs (Greenpeace, ILO) and MNCs (Microsoft, Ford) shows that national sovereignty is losing its relevance
38
Focusing on the state is right because?
Power
States are still the most important actors in politics and they are in charge of military and economic power
38
Focusing on the state is wrong because?
Power
Only a few large states are important. Organizations such as the EU, Microsoft and the World Bank have more power than many states
38
Focusing on the state is right brackish?
Financial liability and security
ING states can regulate markets and are able to accept liabilities when private actors and NGOs fail.
38
Focusing on the state is wrong because?
Financial liability and security
Market failure and crises show the lack of power of states to protect the citizens. Only international action can deal with these problems.
38
Name the year for a few countries of when they incorporated the principle of parliamentary accountability to citizens
France 1870 Germany 1918 Spain 1976 Netherlands 1848 (1866) Sweden 1809 Norway 1805 (1814)
42
Seymour Martin Lipset definition of a democracy
First, competition exists for government positions, and fair elections for public office occurs at regular intervals without the use of force and without excluding any social group. Second, citizens participate in selecting their leaders and forming policies. And, third, civil and political liberties exist to ensure the integrity of political competition and participation.
44
How if freedom house study freedom in the world structured?
195 countries Political rights and civil rights 1 most free - 7 least free 25 indicators Free, partly free, not free
Free 89
Real world rights and freedoms enjoyed by individuals.
Freedom and democracy are seen as the same
46
How is the economist democracy index structured?
Electoral processes and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation and political culture
1 least democratic - 10 most democratic
60 indicators
Full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regimes, authoritarian regimes
Full democracy 24
Freedom and democracy not the same but democracy usually institutionalize freedom.
47
In empirisk state theories there are four major approaches to the relationship between state and society. Which?
State supremacy
State dependency
Interdependency
Separation and autonomy
52
When where the three waves of democratization?
1920 - nation states
after WW2 to 1960s - decolonization
1975-2000 - spews of democracy Asia and Latin America, disintegration of Soviet
Name five arguments for why a middle class is crucial for the development of a democracy
- Create a middle ground between elite and masses
- In order to secure their economic position and political power they will demand personal freedom and right to participate in government affairs
- Employers and military press for education, health care, improved housing and geographical mobility
- They will organize the civic society and put pressure on old elite
- Moderating impact on social conflicts
59
Consolidation
Process of maturing and stabilizing a new political system by strengthening and institutionalizing its basic arrangements
63
Name four steps of the process from a non democratic state to a democratic one
1 initial phase - opposition towards ruling elite. Demands for Liberty.
- Emerging phase - old I democratic arrangement don’t work. New ones set up. Liberty is focus.
- Advanced phase - Liberty takes for granted. Focus on achievement of democracy. Group interest must be satisfied.
- Phase of consolidation - democratic arrangements institutionalized. Demands by late part of population met.
63
Embedded democracy
A consolidates and stable system that is founded on a well-developed civil society, secure civil and political rights, a set of autonomous institutions of government that act within the rule of law, a system of free and fair elections, and a government with effective power to preform its duties.
65
Name four main examples of what can be lacking in a democracy for it to be a defective democracy
1. Incomplete suffrage Limited, male, oligarchical democracy 2. Not free electoral competition Controller, de facto one-party, restrictive democracy 3. Not guaranteed civil liberties Electoral, hard, illiberal democracy 4. Ineffective government Guarded, protected, tutelary democracy
65
Defective democracy
Systems of government that are neither democratic nor I democratic, but maintain some democratic characteristics as well as some I democratic ones that damage and disrupt the institutional logic of embedded democracy
66
Constitution
A set of fundamental laws that determine the central institutions and offices, and power and duties of the state
75
What are the four normal features of constitutions?
Fundamental laws - the political procedures to make laws
Entrenched status - special legal status
Codified document - written down
Allocation of power - outline the proper relationship between institutions and offices, and between government and citizens
76
What are the four normal parts of a constitutions?
Preamble - declaration of nationhood and history, often inspirational
Fundamental rights - list och civil and political rights
Institutions and offices of government - the main structures described
Amendment - the procedure to be followed in Amerindians the constitution
77
What are the seven principles usually in a constitution?
Rule of law Transfer of power Separation of power Relations between government and citizens Locus of power Government accountability Final arbiter
79
What is strong and weak bicameralism?
Strong is two assemblies of equal strength. Weak is unequal.
The lower house, congress, is usually stronger and directly elected
82
Judiciary
The branch of government mainly responsible for the authoritative interpretation and application of law
84
Judicial review
The binding power of the courts to provide an authoritative interpretation of laws, including constitutional law, and to overturn executive, or legislative actions they hold to be illegal or unconstitutional
84
Two arguments against having a judicial review
Difficult to have non-partisan judges
In a democracy the elites legislature should have the right to interpret the constitution, not a judiciary
85
Judicial activism
Involves the court taking a broad and active view of their role as interpreters of the constitution and reviewers of executive and legislative action
85
Federal state
Federal state combine a central authority with a degree of constitutionally defined autonomy for sub-central, territorial units of government
86
Unitary states
In unitary states the central government is the only sovereign body. It does not share constitutional authority with any sub-central units of government
86
Name the three constitutional and institutional theories
Old constitutionalism - focuses on the words and formulations on paper
New constitutionalism - how the constitution is filled and works in reality
New institutionalism - skeptical towards the merit of constitutions. Institutions are the important thing governing politics and minds
89
What are the four main features of presidential government
Firstly the president is the executive body
- head of state and government
- The execution of policy
- Dependence on the legislative branch
- Fixed tenure
95
Explain the parliamentary system structure in four parts
They have
1. Directly elected legislative body
2. Fused executive and legislative institutions
3. A collective executive that emerges from the legislature and is responsible to it
4 separation of head of state and head of government
97
Explain a semi presidential system
Government consists of a directly elected president, the electorate, and a prime minister who is appointed by the president from the elected legislature and accountable to it. The president and prime minister share executive power.
100
Confederation
Organization whose members lend some power to a body that manages affairs of common interest, while retaining their own independence
110
Supra-national government
Organizations in which countries pool their sovereignty on certain matters to allow joint decision making
111
Sub-central government
All levels of government below central/national government.
Weaker in unitary than federal states
112
Devolution
When higher levels of government grant decision making powers to lower levels while maintaining their constitutional subordinate status
118
Fused system
The system of local government in unitary states in which central officials directly supervise the work of local government
122
Dual system
The system of local government in unitary states in which local authorities have more independence than in fused systems but within the authority of central government
122
Local self-government
Like Sweden where they even have their own tax and more freedom of local action
123
Subsidiaries principle
The principle that decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level of government, that is, the level closest to the people affected by the decisions. Usually the term subsidiary is used in connection with the territorial decentralization of government, but it is not limited to this form
124
Meso-government
A middle level of tier of government between central and local authorities, and often known as state, regional, provincial, or country government
127
Pluralist theories on multi-level government
Democracies should have many centers of power so that people can exercise different issues in different political arenas
131
Rational choice theory of multi-level government
Assumes politics is based on the rational calculations of actors who are self interested and who try to maximize their own utility.
131
Delegated legislation
Laws or decrees made by ministers, not by legislatures, though in accordance with powers granted to them by the legislative body
141
Legislative oversight
The role of the legislature that invokes the scrutiny or supervision of other branches of government, especially the executive and the public bureaucracy
148
Majoritarian democracy
Consent ration of executive power Fusion of executive and legislative power Since party system Two-party system Simple majority electoral system Unitary government and centralization Asymmetric bicameralism or unicameralism Constitutional flexibility Absence of judicial review
151
Consensus democracy
Executive power sharing Separation of powers Coalition government Multi-party system Proportional electoral system Federalism and decentralization Balanced bicameralism Constitutional inflexibility Judicial review
151
Name the three normal kinds of senior bureaucrats
Permanent administrators
Political appointments
Policy advisors
159
What are Webers three arguments for why civil servants are the masters rather than the servants of the sate
Qualifications and experience
Permanence
Experience
161
Political culture
The pattern of attitudes values and beliefs about politics, whether they are conscious or unconscious, explicit or implicit
175
New public management
Reform of the public sector in the 1980s and 1990s, based mainly on what was thought to be private-sector practice and consisting mainly of privatisation, deregulation, business management techniques and marketisation a known also as reinventing government, it is said to have had the effect of hollowing out the state
164
Name three theories of public bureaucracy
The rational-legal ideal-type - Weber. Society modernises itself by becoming more bureaucratic. Hierarchy of command, professionals appointed by merit, formal rules, rationality, record keeping.
Clientelism - political use of public office for personal gain. A public patron distributing favours, thus not by merit
Rational choice, NPM - bureaucrats are self interested trying to maximise their position by expanding budget and staff. “Agency problem”
167
Political identity
The way in which people label themselves as belonging to a particular group (nation-state, class or caste, ethnic group, religious group)
177
What are Almond and Verbas three dimensions of political orientation?
Cognitive - knowledge and understanding of politics
Affective - believe politics is important
Evaluative - evaluation of political system
180
What are Almond and Verbas three types of political culture?
Parochial cultures - low level of awareness and culture. Low economic development and poor communications. Mexico
Subject cultures - awareness of government and what it does but not participating. Focus on power of government rather than citizens rights and duties. West Germany
Participant cultures - knowledgeable about politics and participate due to this. UK, US
Civic culture
The term used by Almond and Verba to signify the balance of subject and participant political cultures that best supports democracy.
Citizens are active and elites respond to their demands, but citizens also trust their government and give them a degree of independence.
181
Name six consequences of post materialism
- Cognitive mobilisation
- Replacement of class with cultural cleavages
- Increased religious conflict
- More political participation
- New forms of participation
- New political issues
183
Political elite
The relatively small number of people at the top of a political system who exercise disproportionate influence or power over political dispiriting the influence or powe over political decisions. If powerful enough it is a ruling elite.
Elite culture is more abstract, complex, informed and broad than the public
184
What three criteria must be met for social and political differences to form political cleavages?
Objective social differences - ex race
Subjective awareness - awareness and expression of differences
Political organisation - willingness to engage politically for the difference
185
Reinforces cleavages
Cleavages that are laid one on top of the other, making them potentially more important
186
Cross-cutting cleavages
Cleavages that are laid across one another, thereby reducing their capacity to divide.
186
Loss of political salience
The expanded education and income since 1945 means many people have the means to deal with their problems as individuals and no longer find the collective act of politics as relevant
193
Individual forms of political participation
Forms of behaviour used by single citizens aimed at expressing political opinions. These activities are usually driven by ethical and moral reasoning rather than by the wish to influence political decisions.
195
Socio-economic status
A combination of class (how people earn their money) and status (how people spend their money) to form a single measure of social satisfaction
196
Hegemony
A situation in which a class, political interest or country is so powerful that it does not have to rely on force or power to maintain its rule because it’s values and attitudes have been accepted or because people dare not oppose it
200
Name two theories of political attitudes and behaviour
Marxist and class theory Rational-choice theory
200
What are Almond and Verbas three dimensions of political orientation?
Cognitive - knowledge and understanding of politics
Affective - believe politics is important
Evaluative - evaluation of political system
180
What are Almond and Verbas three types of political culture?
Parochial cultures - low level of awareness and culture. Low economic development and poor communications. Mexico
Subject cultures - awareness of government and what it does but not participating. Focus on power of government rather than citizens rights and duties. West Germany
Participant cultures - knowledgeable about politics and participate due to this. UK, US
Civic culture
The term used by Almond and Verba to signify the balance of subject and participant political cultures that best supports democracy.
Citizens are active and elites respond to their demands, but citizens also trust their government and give them a degree of independence.
181
Name six consequences of post materialism
- Cognitive mobilisation
- Replacement of class with cultural cleavages
- Increased religious conflict
- More political participation
- New forms of participation
- New political issues
183
Political elite
The relatively small number of people at the top of a political system who exercise disproportionate influence or power over political dispiriting the influence or powe over political decisions. If powerful enough it is a ruling elite.
Elite culture is more abstract, complex, informed and broad than the public
184
What three criteria must be met for social and political differences to form political cleavages?
Objective social differences - ex race
Subjective awareness - awareness and expression of differences
Political organisation - willingness to engage politically for the difference
185
Reinforces cleavages
Cleavages that are laid one on top of the other, making them potentially more important
186
Cross-cutting cleavages
Cleavages that are laid across one another, thereby reducing their capacity to divide.
186
Loss of political salience
The expanded education and income since 1945 means many people have the means to deal with their problems as individuals and no longer find the collective act of politics as relevant
193
Individual forms of political participation
Forms of behaviour used by single citizens aimed at expressing political opinions. These activities are usually driven by ethical and moral reasoning rather than by the wish to influence political decisions.
195
Socio-economic status
A combination of class (how people earn their money) and status (how people spend their money) to form a single measure of social satisfaction
196
Hegemony
A situation in which a class, political interest or country is so powerful that it does not have to rely on force or power to maintain its rule because it’s values and attitudes have been accepted or because people dare not oppose it
200
Name two theories of political attitudes and behaviour
Marxist and class theory Rational-choice theory
200
Interest groups, cause groups, pressure groups
Interest group refers to those kinds of pressure groups that represent the interest of people in their occupational capacities, business professional, trade union. The other kinds of pressure groups are cause groups.
209
New social movements
Mosley knit organisations that try to influence government policy on broad issues including environment, nuclear energy or weapons, economic development, peace, women and minorities
Usually anti state and anti politics
211
Corporatism
A way of organising public policy making involving the close cooperation of major economic interests within a formal government apparatus that is capable of concerting the main economic groups so that they can jointly formulate and implement binding policies
220
Para-government
Where their is an area of government which is not fully private not public. Housing associations, church, farmers, revive a lot of money from state but not really government by it
221
Tri-partism
A looser and less centralised system of decision making than corporatism involving close government consultation - often with business and trade union organisations
222
Iron triangles
The close, three sides working relationship developed between 1) government departments and ministers 2) pressure groups 3) politicians, that makes public policy in a given area
223
Mass society
A society without a plurality of organised social groups and interests, whose mass of isolated and unroofed individuals are not integrated into the community and who are therefore vulnerable to the appeals and manipulation a of extorting and anti-democratic elites
224
Hyper pluralism
A state of affairs in which too many powerful groups make too many demands on government, causing overload and ungovernability
225
Name three theories of voluntary organisations
Pluralism - voluntary groups are a way to sort out conflicting interests since political issues are fought over by competing groups
Marxist/elitist theory - pressure group system undermine democracy since they only reflect the will of the socially strong
Social capital and civil society theory - voluntary associations are crucial for the development of democratic attitudes such as trust, reciprocity and satisfaction with democracy.
228
Name three theories of the mass media
Mediamalise- the media exercise warring influence over people that usually undermines democracy. News are sensational, superficial and negative. New are agenda setting, priming and framing
Reinforcement - mass media has minimal effect due to the supply and demand characteristics of the media market. People ignore the things they are already disliking
The weak force and virtuous circle - media is a weak force but those who are politically engaged will warns the news and be more active
246
Gerrymandering
Drawing electoral boundaries to favour a particular party or interest
252
Name three theories of voting
Social approaches: Columbia school - people vote according to their social group or the party that care for ones groups interests. Cleavage model; voting organised around social groups.
Psychological approaches: the Michigan school - individual party identification. Ones party I’d Becker the prisms thorough which one views the world
Rational choice - maximise chances of election victory by going to the centre, not rational to vote
269
Simple plurality / first-past-the-post
Person with most votes win the seat.
Usually combined with single member district.
UK, US
Second ballot - absolute majority, might be several rounds. France
Alternative vote - rankings and absolute vote. Australia
253
Proportional representation
Tries to ensure proportionality of votes to seats.
List PR system - national direct proportionality. Most
Single transferable vote - ranking on ballot. Ireland
Mixed member proportional - part plurality majority part proportional representation - Hungary, Germany
254
The iron law of oligarchy
The political system will always be governed by a small elite. No matter how democratic they try to be. But it is not a problem because they are still leaders in a democratic country
288
Pluralism
A situation where power over public policy is diapered among many different groups and organisations that openly compete with one another in different political arenas
Bottom-up
331
Duvergers law
Non-proportional elections favour two parties. Proportional election system favour multi-party systems
289
Corporatism
A way of public policy making involving the close cooperation of major economic interests with a formal government apparatus that is capable of concentrating the main economic groups so that they can jointly formulate and implement binding policies
Top-down
331
What does the rational-comprehensive model of decision making say?
That individuals make rational decisions about complex situations. Taking in all information and evaluating all possible consequences
336
What does the muddling through Henry of decision making say?
That policy makers look at a few possibilities, evaluate a few consequences and choose not to controversial alternatives, no fundamental rethinking
338
What does bounded rationality and advocacy coalitions say about decision making?
That policy makers always try to find solutions satisfaction and sufficient for the time being
338
Conflict oriented approach to welfare state theory
They developed due to strong lower classes and unions demanding it
356
Functionalist explanation do the welfare state theory
Emerging capitalism needs state intervention to support workers and stabilise families.
358
Institutional approach to welfare state theory
The more institutions are involved in policy making, the more difficult it is to create extensive social security arrangements. But once they are there they stay for the same reason
358
International and transnational dependencies in regard to welfare state theory
Globalisation forces states to cut their welfare programs in order to make their economies more competitive in the world market.
359
UK state structure
Constitutional monarchy with unitary parliamentary system of governance.
The unitary state of the UK consists of four countries – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
UK legislative body
UK is a bicameral parliament with the upper house – House of Lords – and lower house, House of Commons 650.
650 constituencies - Of these, 533 are in England, 59 in Scotland, 40 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland – each constituency has one MP to the House of Commons
First-past-the-post – SMSP simple majority receives the MP position. Plurality-majority system
It is traditionally a two-party system.
Members of the House of Lords are appointed by the Queen by recommendation of the prime minister and most serve as life peers, thus the number of seats in the House of Lords is not fixed, (26 bishops). currently 812 lords.
Palace of Westminister
30% women in commons, 24% women in lords
UK Head of government
Theresa May
UK Head of state
Queen Elizabeth II
UK executive body
Executive power is held by the prime minister and her cabinet, these are all people sworn in as the Queens ministers. All countries except England have their own first minister with a minor local executive government.
The prime minister is appointed by the Queen and since the parliament act of 1911, where the House of Lords legislative power was decreased, the prime minister has been the leader of the major party in house of commons.
Cabinet has collective responsibility. If a minister wants to openly reject a government stance they have to resign.
UK and the Westminister system seems to be the definition of majoritarian democracy
UK Judiciary body
Non-codified constitution
UK supreme court is above the separate courts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The four countries have different court systems and laws and this is partly why the UK does not have a single constitution.
The supreme court cannot rule over the lords or commons, they are sovereign, but it can rule over the government.
UK national day(s)
Queens birthday 21 April. England St. George’s day 23 April. Wales St. David’s day 1 march. Scotland St. Andrew’s day 30 November. Ireland St. Patrick’s day 17 March.
UK official languages
English. 7 minority languages
UK flag
Union flag 1927 – representing England, Scotland and Ireland
UK HDI
0.907
UK freedom house
1
UK Economist Democracy Index
Full democracy (16-2015)
UK media
BBC is the primary news source owned by HM Government. MailOnline, Guardian, Telegraph, The sun - Murdoch, The independent – Alexander Lebedev
France state structure
Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic (unitary state)
UK welfare and bureaucracy
About 2/3 of government spending. Mainly social protection, healthcare and education
Thatcher was the founder of New Public Management.
UK population
65 million
UK GDP/capita
43.900 US
How is a law created in the UK?
Government, member of lords or commons can propose a bill
The bill is introduced to the houses, usually by a defending minister - debated
A special committee will look in to details of the bill
Commons and lords can change, remove or add parts to the bill – amendments
Must be approved in both commons and lords – if changes are made in one house it will go back to the other house for approval. Back and forth.
If the houses are unable to agree the commons have the final word
Once a bill is deemed fit to become law it is sent to the queen for Royal assent
France head of government
President Francois Hollande
France executive body
The president of the republic is the main executive figure.
The president is usually elected by two votes. If the candidate receives 50% of the first round of votes he will win, if not the two candidates with the most votes will face of. 50%+1 needed.
The president of the republic and the government make out the executive body. The president appoints the prime minister and the ministers (and their minister-delegate and secretaries!)
The National Assembly can call a vote of no confidence of the government. In order to avoid this the president usually takes a prime-minister from the majority party in parliament.
France judiciary body
Constitution of the french fifth republic. codified. 1958 (1789)
Civil law legal system neither answering nor being directly controlled by the other public bodies.
The constitutional council is technically not part of the judicial branch. Council members are appointed by the president of the republic or the president of either house of parliament. Former presidents are members of this council.
France head of state
President Francois Hollande
France Freedom House
1 Free
France Economist Democracy Index
Flawed democracy (27)
France legislative body
France is a bicameral, or Westminister, system with a upper house, Senate, and a lower house, National Assembly
The National Assembly has 577 deputes. Each elected by a single member constituency in a two-round voting system - 5 year mandate. The assembly is presided by a president, usualy from the majority party. The president of the republic can dissolve the National Assembly. Palais Bourbon. Plurality voting system.
(If someone receives 50% of the vote with 25% voting turnout there is no second round. If there is a second round everyone who received 12.5% of the votes are contesting. If none received 12.5% the two candidates with most votes compete)(If someone is named minister they will no longer represent their constituency and will be replaced)(539 are in France, 27 represent their colonies and 11 represent french residents overseas)
The Senate is indirectly elected by elected officials from many levels, supposed to represent different regions, and presided by a president chosen among the senators, whom will also be the interim president of the republic if the proper one would die or resign. 348 seats, 6 year mandate, elections of third of the senate every third year. Palais du Luxembourg
France HDI
0.888
France GDP/capita
41.181 US
France population
67 million
France prime minister
Manuel Walls
France welfare and bureaucracy
welfare is ca 30% of GDP.
France media
Le Parisien, Paris focus, Le Figaro, center-right, Le Monde, analytical
Hos is a law created in France?
A bill can be put forward by members of parliament and ministers. If it is put forward from a member of parliament it will be dealt with in the house of origin. A minister chooses which house should start. It is reviewed and voted upon and sent to the other house. If the houses do not agree it acn be sent to a committee with equal number of representatives from both houses to amend the text and make it work in both houses. Once the houses has agreed it is sent to the president of the republic to be signed in to law. The president of the republic, presidents of either house, the prime minister of 60 members of either house can now ask for the bill to be put under constitutional review and is thus sent to the Constitutional Court. The president of the republic can send back a bill once to the parliament if he wants it to undergo further scrutiny. For a bill to become a law the president has to sign it.
The executive cannot issue decrees in areas that the Constitution puts under the responsibility of legislation, issued by Parliament
US state structure
Federal republic
US executive body
The president is the main figure in the executive branch of the United States. He is responsible for execution of federal law and also appoints federal executives, diplomats, judicial officers. The president alongside his vise president are indirectly elected via electoral college.
The president has to sign a bill for it to become law. He can veto law and send it back to congress. If the both houses support the bill by more than 2/3 they can override the veto.
The president is usually agenda setting within his own partys political agenda - these are the presidents legislative powers
The president is member of the cabinet, the domestic policy council, national economic council and national security council.
US head of state
President Barack Obama
US head of government
President Barack Obama
US Democracy Index
Full democracy 20
US HDI
0.915
US Freedom House
1 Free
US GDP/capita
57.220 US
US population
319 milion
US national day
4th of July (1776, declaration of independence from UK)
The public-policy cycle
Agenda setting → processen börjar med att välja de mest akuta problem som måste behandlas
Beslutsfattande → då beslut måste tas om tillvägagångssättet
Val av medel → Lämpliga medel som kan användas
Implementering → Sätta planen i verket
outputs and outcomes (outputs - besluten som tas, det som faktiskt görs, outcomes - är konsekvenser av outputs)
Utvärdering och feedback → kostnaderna för politiken utvärderas och slutsatser dras om framtida åtgärder
two main political attitudes
material interests - money
ideal interests - ideology
three models for becoming sitizens
Club-model - criteria to fulfill
Family model - ethnical
neighbourhood model - if you are inhabitant you should be a citizen
US legislative body
The legislative body of the US federal government is the bicameral Congress. Senate, 100, and House of Representatives, 435. Both are directly elected.
House of representatives is the lower house. It is lead by a speaker elected amongst themselves, thus usually the leader of the majority party. They all represent a district, California state has 53, some states like Alaska has 1. They are elected for a two year term.
The Senate is the upper house where every state has two representatives. They are elected for a six year term and elections are held every second year replacing 1/3 of the Senate.
US judiciary body
Codified constitution since 1787. 27 amendments.
Supreme court has ultimate appellate jurisdiction and it is the final interpreter of constitutional law.
One chief justice and eight associate justices, nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Serving a life tenure.
How is a law made in the US?
Laws begin as ideas. First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill. Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill.
German state structure
presidential federal republic - förbundsrepublik. multi-party system but CDU has dominated since 1949.
German executive body
The executive body in Germany is the cabinet lead by the chancellor. The Chancellor is elected by the federal parliament (Bundestag) after being proposed by the President. Following the election, the Chancellor is appointed by the President. The ministers are appointed (and dismissed) by the President upon proposal of the Chancellor.
German legislative body
The legislative body of Germany rests with the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
The Bundesrat is the upper house. Here all regions are represented. The representatives are not elected by anyone but delegated by tje states governments. The larger states have more representatives than the smaller ones with regard to population. The representatives are changed when there is a state election and state elections are not harmonized across Germany. In the Bundesrat a state delegation must vote in coordiantion, since coalitions are common they often can not agree and abstain from voting. In the Bundesrat a majority of all possible votes is required, not just cast votes. 69 representatives
The Bundestag is the lower house of german legislative body. There are 631 seats. The member are chosen every four years by all adult German citizens in a mixed system of constituency voting and list voting.
German judicial body
Codified constitution. Inspired by the determination to promote world peace as an Equal partner in a united Europe, the German people, in the exercise of their constituent power, have adopted this Basic Law.
The constitution emphasises the protection of individual liberty in an extensive catalogue of human and civil rights and divides powers both between the federal and state levels and between the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
Hos is a law created in Germany?
The Bundestag, Bundesrat and the federal government are all allowed to put forward a bill to the Bundestag. Usually it is the government who does.
If the Bundesrat or the Federal Government are the imitators of a bill they first have to send it to the other part for comments to be made within 6 weeks and then the bill is sent to the Bundestag. If a bill is introduced in the Bundestag directly it needs suport of either a patty group or 5% of the members to be dealt with. Most of the detailed work on legislation is being made by committees formed from the Bundestag. Once it has gone through three readings and been adopted by the Bundestag it is sent to the Bundesrat for consent. If both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat agree to the bill it is sent to the Federal Chancellor and the competent federal minister for signing. Then an act to sign it in to law is sent to the Federal Chancellor.
Russia state structure
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Russia legislative body
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How is a law created in Russia?
The Duma votes on the bills first. If a majority agrees it is sent to the federation council who can only accept or reset. If rejected they can try to work it out in a council. But the Duma has the final word
Russia executive body
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Russia judicial body
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Brazil state structure
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Brazil legislative body
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Hos is a law created in Brazil?
Initiative. The following parties may propose a supplementary law: any member or committee of the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate or the National Congress; the President of the Republic; the Supreme Federal Court; the Superior Courts; the Attorney-General of the Republic; and the citizens. The Constitution provides the manners and conditions under which party may propose the laws.
For approval by the Legislative, supplementary laws must be approved by the absolute majority of the members of each House. After Legislative approval, the law goes to the sanction of the President. The President can sanction the law, veto the entire law, or veto articles of the law. In case of veto, the law returns to Congress, which can maintain or override it; to override the veto, it´s necessary absolute majority of Deputies and Senators. In case a veto is overriden, a legislative decree must be drawn to regulate the subject of the law.
Brazil executive body
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Brazil judicial body
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India state structure
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India legaslative body
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How is a law created in India?
Som UK
India executive body
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India judicial body
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China state structure
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China legislative body
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How is a law created in China?
the state council and the standing committee of the national peoples assembly are the ones drafting laws and the national peoples assembly are the ones who pass them.
How is a law created in China?
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China executive body
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Nigeria state structure
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Nigeria legislative body
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How is a law created in Nigeria?
Executive and both houses are allowed to put forward a bill. Three readings. committee work before third reading. Passed by both houses and signed by the president
Nigeria executive body
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Nigeria judicial body
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South Africa state structure
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South Africa legislative body
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How is a law created in South Africa?
Government draft the law. Parliament reviews and write final text based on governments discussion, green paper.
cabinet creates policy, minister drafts a bill, cabinet approves the bill, it is seen to the parliament by responsible minister. Then the national assembly and after that the natal council of provinces has to agree upon it and then the president signs it in to law. anyone can challenge the law and send it to the constitutional court.
South Africa executive body
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South Africa judicial body
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Iran state structure
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Iran legislative body
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How is a law created on Iran?
A law can be introduced by the government or by 15 MPS. it is debated in committees and only taken to the full house when there are already a quite detailed bill which has details to be debated. Once the law is passed by parliament it is sent to the guardian council for ratification.
Iran executive body
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Iran judicial body
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