Democracy and citizenship in sa Flashcards
What is democracy?
Its a form of government in which people choose leaders by voting and therefor everyone has equal rights
Where did democracy start and how?
Democracy started in ancient greece and only male greek citizens were allowed to vote although nowadays it is considered a basic human right
if it is impossible for every person in a country to vote how did the government get around this?
citizens elect ppl to represent them and have a say on their behalf
when are representative elections held?
every 5 years
what do people who are born in a country call themselves?
they call themselves citizens
True or false every citizen has a say in running their country
true
what does every citizen have a say in?
in running their country
what document keeps everyones right written down?
“The bill of rights”
what is the bill of rights used for
rules, laws and rights of a country
where is the bill of rights found?
It is found in the constitution
what do political parties do before election begins?
they try to win ppls votes by posters run adverts, and speak at diff venues
which candidate wins in the election (democratic ones)
the candidate with the majority vote
where does voting take place?
In a voting station
Is it safe to vote? wont my friends know who i voted for?
No, voting is done in secret so nobody knows who you have voted for unless you tell them
How do I cast my vote?
A vote is cast by placing a cross on a ballot paper, next to the candidate from the party that you want to select
where do the papers go?
the papers are placed in a ballot box and are counted after the election
True/false correct if false, Timmy (5yrs) goes to voting station and votes for the banana party. (can this happen?)
False, ppl over 18 in South Africa are only allowed to vote
Who makes sure the elections are free and fair
The Independant Electoral Comitee (IEC)
does the IEC give me chocolates for free? (true/false correct if false)
False, They make sure elections are free and fair
whats the constitutional court of south africa?
it is the highest court in south africa when it comes to interpretation,protection and enforcement of the constitution
(True of false correct if false) Jimmys court down the road is the court in charge of south africas interpretation, protection and enforcement
False, The Constitutional court is
True or false correct if false, the constitutional court consists of 8 judges
False it is heard by a quarom of 11 judges
what is the minumum amount of judges needed for the constitutional court?
8
how does the constitutional court decide cases?
it doesnt hear evidence or question witnesses it only considers the record of the evidence heard in the original court that heard the matter and so it works largely with written arguments. Once all the parties have been heard, the judges meet to discuss the case. each judge must indicate his or her decision and ruling is then determined by majority vote. the reasons are published in a written judgement.
who are the most vulnerable members of society A-Children/Teenagers B-Adults C-Elderly D-Pets E-Clocks
A-Children/Teenagers
why do children need special protection?
They are dependent on others their parents and families
