Democracy Flashcards
Who said ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people’?
Abraham Lincoln
What is meant by the term democracy?
Democracy is a type of government that lets the country be run by it’s own citizens. It lets the people of the country have their own say at the decisions made by the government.
List thee rights or freedoms citizens are entitled to in democractic countries.
Freedom of speech and expression.
The right to free trial.
The right to vote freely in public and open elections.
List three rights or freedoms citizens may be denied under authoritarian rule.
The right to vote.
The eight to free speech.
The right to choose their own law.
What are the functions of student councils?
The functions of student councils are to represent the students and their ideas.
What is the oireachtas?
The parliament of Ireland.
Name two houses of the Oireachtas.
The Dáil
The Seanad
What document established the office of President?
Bunreacht na hÉireann.
How old must a citizen be to run for the office of President?
Over 35 years.
What is the term of office of the President?
7 years.
What is the maximum number of terms a President may serve?
2 tems.
Where is the venue for the inauguration ceremony of the Irish President?
St Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle.
How many Irish Presidents have there been?
9
Name three roles of the President of Ireland.
To represent the country overseas.
To appoint members of the government.
Signing bills and referring bills to the Supreme Court.
Who is the current President of Ireland?
Michael D. Higgins.
What is the name of the official residence of the President of Ireland?
Áras an Uachtaráin
Ireland’s national parliament is called…
Dáil Éireann.
What is a TD?
166 selected representatives of the Dáil.
They represent the interests of people living in their constituencies.
How many TDs are elected to Dáil Éireann?
166
What is Seanad Éireann?
The house of the Oireachtas.
43 elected by 5 panels represent vocational interests,
while 6 elected by graduates of two universities,
and 11 are elected by Taoiseach.
What are the members of Seanad Éireann called?
Senators.
What is the main role of Seanad Éireann?
To consider or review bills that the government has passed.
List four functions of the government of Ireland.
Making new laws.
Manage the economy.
Manage financial affairs.
Forge links with other countries.
What is the name given to the leader of the Irish government?
The President.
What is the name of the deputy Taoiseach?
The Tánaiste.
Name the departments of the government.
The departments of:
Finance,
Social and family affairs,
Health,
Education,
Law, order and justice.
What is the Civil Service?
The permanent staff of the departments of the state and some state agencies.
It advises government policies and carry out running of government departments.
List three ways in which you could influence the activities of the Irish government.
Lobbying,
Getting involved in a pressure group,
Joining an interest group.
List four types of elections.
Local elections
By-elections
General elections
Referendum
What is the system of voting in Ireland called?
Proportional representation
What is the quota?
The number of votes a candidate needs to be elected.
What age must a citizen be to be able to vote in Ireland?
Where does their name appear?
18,
on the electoral register.
What do you receive in an election ?
Where do you go on the day of an election?
A polling card.
Polling station. (Usually a local school or community hall.
Who do you show your polling card and proof of identity to in a polling station?
What do they then give you?
What do they then give you a list of?
A polling clerk.
Ballot paper.
Candidates.
Private voting is called?
A secret ballot.
Where do you place your ballot paper in?
A ballot box.
What is a spoiled vote?
A ballot paper that has been incorrectly filled out.
here is an example of a quota.
Total numbers of votes cast 45,000
Number of spoiled votes -450
Total valid poll 44,550
Quota = 44,509
divided by (4 + 1) ( +1 )
= 8910 (+1)
=8911
Quota formula.
Quota = Total Valid Poll ( +1 )
divided by number of seats + 1
What is compulsory voting? How many countries have this?
20 countries.
Citizens of voting age must turn up at polling stations on the day of an election in countries with compulsory voting. It is required by the law.
