Politics and the state

Question 1

Explain the features of a social democratic state.

Answer 1

1. Social governance.
2. Social welfare
3. Economic regulation
4. Redistribution of wealth
5. Social justice and equality
6. Labour rights.
   Overall, a social democratic state seeks to achieve a balance between the principles of democracy and socialism, aiming to create a more equitable and just society through the implementation of progressive policies and social programs

Question 2

Explain the features of a collective state.

Answer 2

1. Collective ownership.
2. Central planning
3. Communal decision making
4. Social equality.
5. Community solidarity
6. Limited individual property rights
7. State control and regulation
8. Emphasis on public service
   Overall, a collective state seeks to establish a society based on principles of collective ownership, communal decision-making, and social equality, with the aim of fostering solidarity and cooperation among its members while addressing the needs of the entire community.

Question 3

Explain the features of a totalitarian state.

Answer 3

1. Authoritarian Rule.
2. Total Control
3. Propaganda and Indoctrination
4. Surveillance and Policing
5. Suppression of Civil Liberties
6. State Control of the Economy
7. Militarization and Expansionism.
8. Personality Cult.

Overall, a totalitarian state is characterized by extreme authoritarianism, pervasive state control, suppression of dissent, and the dominance of a single party or leader, often at the expense of individual freedoms and human rights.

Question 4

How may elements are there in a political system and what is the purpose of the elements in an economy?

Answer 4

8.
These mechanisms work together to ensure that governments function effectively, uphold the rule of law, protect individual rights, and address the needs and interests of society as a whole

Question 5

Explain what legislature is.

Answer 5

Legislature: The legislature is typically responsible for making laws. It can take different forms such as a parliament, congress, or assembly. Members of the legislature are elected by the people or appointed through other mechanisms, and they debate, amend, and pass laws that affect society.

Question 6

Explain what executive is.

Answer 6

Executive: The executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws. It is usually headed by a president, prime minister, or monarch, depending on the form of government. The executive branch includes various departments and agencies responsible for specific areas such as defense, finance, and foreign affairs.

Question 7

Explain what the judiciary is.

Answer 7

Judiciary: The judiciary interprets laws, resolves disputes, and ensures that government actions are consistent with the constitution and legal framework. Courts at various levels, including supreme courts, appellate courts, and lower courts, play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights.

Question 8

Explain what Bureaucracy is.

Answer 8

Bureaucracy: A complex structure of offices, tasks, rules and principles of orginisation that are employed by all large-scale institutions to coordinate the work of personnel.

Question 9

Explain what elections and political parties are.

Answer 9

Elections and Political Parties: Elections allow citizens to choose their representatives and leaders through democratic processes. Political parties organize competition for political office and articulate different policy proposals and visions for governance. Elections and political parties play a crucial role in shaping government decisions and ensuring accountability.

Question 10

Explain what checks and balances are.

Answer 10

Systems of checks and balances are mechanisms designed to prevent the concentration of power in any single branch of government. For example, the legislature may check the power of the executive through oversight and approval processes, while the judiciary may review the constitutionality of laws passed by the legislature.

Question 11

Explain what Federalism and Devolution are.

Answer 11

In federal systems, power is divided between a central government and subnational units such as states or provinces. Devolution involves the transfer of power from the central government to regional or local authorities. These mechanisms allow for the sharing of responsibilities and decision-making across different levels of government.

Question 12

Explain what Public Participation and Civil Society are.

Answer 12

Public participation and civil society organizations provide channels for citizens to engage with government, express their interests, and hold leaders accountable. Mechanisms such as public consultations, petitions, and advocacy campaigns enable citizens to influence government policies and decisions.

Question 13

What are the features of a Western liberal state?

Answer 13

• tolerate opposition
• Representative democracy
• capitalistic economy
• Liberal ideology

Question 14

Explain what the trustee model is.

Answer 14

According to this model, representatives are entrusted with the authority to make decisions on behalf of their constituents based on their own judgment and expertise. While they may consider constituents’ views, trustees are expected to act in the best interests of the broader community, even if it means deviating from popular opinion

Question 14

Define ‘theories of representation’

Answer 14

In the realm of politics, theories of representation refer to conceptual frameworks that analyze how individuals or groups are represented within political systems, institutions, and processes. These theories aim to understand the relationship between elected officials (representatives) and the people they represent (constituents), as well as the mechanisms through which interests, preferences, and identities are conveyed and translated into political action

Question 14

What are the features of an East Asian regime?

Answer 14

• Strong state and strong gov
• State-Led Development
• Authoritarian Governance
• Emphasis on Social Order and Stability

Question 15

Explain what the mandate model is.

Answer 15

The Mandate Model is a theory of political representation that emphasizes the idea that elected officials are entrusted with a specific mandate or set of instructions from their constituents. According to this model, representatives are expected to act in accordance with the preferences and interests of the people who elected them, as expressed during election campaigns or through other forms of political communication.

Question 16

Explain what the delegate model is.

Answer 16

In contrast to the trustee model, the delegate model views representatives as delegates of their constituents. Representatives are expected to directly reflect the views, preferences, and interests of the people who elected them. They act as mouthpieces for their constituents’ desires, advocating for specific policies or actions as instructed.

Question 17

Explain what the resemblance model is.

Answer 17

The Resemblance Model is a theory of political representation that emphasizes the importance of elected officials resembling, or being similar to, the demographic characteristics of the constituents they represent. This model suggests that effective representation occurs when elected officials share common attributes, such as race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, or other relevant characteristics, with the people they represent.

Question 18

Elections: define the recruiting process.

Answer 18

The recruiting process in politics refers to the mechanisms through which individuals are identified, selected, and groomed for political roles and positions within a political party, government, or other political organizations. This process is essential for maintaining the functioning of political institutions and ensuring a steady supply of qualified individuals to fill various roles in the political arena. - need to have talent and skills that are complimentary to politics.

Question 19

Elections: define Making government

Answer 19

Refers to the process by which political parties or coalitions form a government following an election.

Question 20

Elections: define educating voters.

Answer 20

refers to the process of providing information, resources, and opportunities for individuals to become informed and engaged participants in the electoral process. Educating voters is essential for promoting democratic participation, empowering citizens to make informed decisions, and fostering a more inclusive and representative political system

Question 21

Explain the Majoritarian electoral system.

Answer 21

• Constituencies.
• Vote for candidate
• Most votes wins

Question 22

What are the pros and cons of majoritarian electoral system?

Answer 22

Pros: You know who your representative is - Accountability

Con: Lack of representation.

Question 23

Explain the Proportional representation.

Answer 23

• Party leadership compiles a list of candidates
• seats in proportion to percentage of votes

Question 24

what are the pros and cons of the proportional representation electoral system?

Answer 24

pros: Representation
cons: lack of accountability

Question 25

define party identification (theories if voting).

Answer 25

Party identification theory is a concept in political science that suggests individuals develop a psychological attachment or allegiance to a particular political party. This affiliation influences their voting behavior and political attitudes over time (starts from childhood).

Question 26

Define sociological theory of voting.

Answer 26

The sociological theory of voting focuses on how social factors, such as demographic characteristics, group affiliations, and socioeconomic status, influence individuals’ voting behavior. Unlike party identification theory, which emphasizes psychological attachment to a particular party, the sociological theory examines how broader social forces shape voting patterns.

Question 27

Define the rational choice theory.

Answer 27

Rational choice theory of voting, also known as the economic theory of voting, applies principles from economics to understand individuals’ voting behavior. It assumes that voters are rational actors who make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis of their preferences and interests.

Question 28

Define dominant ideology.

Answer 28

Dominant ideology theory, also known as hegemony theory, is a concept in sociology and political science that explores how ruling elites maintain their power and control over society by disseminating and reinforcing a dominant ideology. This ideology serves to legitimize the existing social, economic, and political order, shaping individuals’ beliefs, values, and behaviors. - no free choice

Question 29

What are the features of political parties.

Answer 29

• Aims to exercise power by winning.
• Organised bodies with card-carrying members.
• Tackles broad issues
• United by shared political preferences and ideologies

Question 30

What are cadre political parties?

Answer 30

A cadre political party, also known as a cadre party, is a type of political organization characterized by a highly disciplined and centralized structure, where party members, known as cadres, play a crucial role in advancing the party’s agenda and maintaining its control over society. Cadre parties often prioritize ideological purity, hierarchical control, and party loyalty above other considerations

Question 31

What are mass political parties.

Answer 31

Mass parties, also known as catch-all parties or people’s parties, are political organizations that aim to attract broad support from a diverse range of social groups and interests, rather than being narrowly focused on a specific ideological or social constituency. Mass parties typically seek to appeal to a large segment of the population by adopting a flexible platform, emphasizing pragmatic policies, and engaging in broad-based mobilization efforts.

Question 32

What are left-wing parties?

Answer 32

Left-wing parties are political organizations that advocate for progressive or leftist ideologies, focusing on issues such as social justice, economic equality, environmental sustainability, and individual rights. These parties typically support government intervention in the economy to address inequalities and promote social welfare, as well as policies aimed at protecting workers’ rights, expanding public services, and advancing civil liberties

Question 33

What are right-wing parties?

Answer 33

Right-wing parties are political organizations that advocate for conservative or right-leaning ideologies, emphasizing principles such as limited government intervention in the economy, traditional values, national sovereignty, and individual freedoms. These parties typically support free-market economic policies, strong national defense, and a focus on law and order.

Question 34

Define one-party system.

Answer 34

A one-party system is a political system in which only one political party is legally allowed to exist and operate, effectively monopolizing political power and controlling all aspects of governance. In a one-party system, opposition parties are either banned, marginalized, or suppressed, and political competition is severely restricted or non-existent.

Question 35

Define two-party political parties.

Answer 35

A two-party system is a political system where two major political parties dominate the electoral landscape and compete for power.

Question 36

Define multiparty political system.

Answer 36

A multiparty system is a political system where multiple political parties compete for power and representation, with no single party consistently holding a majority.

Question 37

Define dominant party political system.

Answer 37

A dominant party system is a political system where one political party consistently wins elections and holds a significant majority of seats in the legislature, often maintaining power for an extended period.

Question 38

What are the functions of political actors?

Answer 38

1. Representation. 2. Goal formulation. 3. Socialisation ( socializing individuals into the political system and transmitting political values, norms, and behaviors) and mobulisation (come together and work towards a common objective). 4. organisation of government (. It involves establishing the roles, responsibilities, and relationships among these entities to ensure the effective functioning of the government and the delivery of public services.)

Question 39

Explain what the pluralist model is in regards to media.

Answer 39

The pluralist model is one of the theories used to understand the role and function of the media in society. It suggests that media outlets are diverse and independent, representing a variety of viewpoints and interests. In this model, the media serve as a forum for the expression and exchange of different ideas and opinions, reflecting the pluralism of society itself.

Question 40

Explain what the elite values model is.

Answer 40

The Elite Values model suggests that media content is largely shaped by the values and interests of a small, powerful elite group within society. This elite group, often consisting of political, economic, and cultural elites, is believed to exert significant influence over media ownership, content, and distribution.

Question 41

Define “constitution”.

Answer 41

A set of rules that seek to establish the duties, powers and functions of the institutions of government, regulates the relationship between them and between the state individuals.

Question 42

What are the functions of the constitution?

Answer 42

• Unifying values and goals.
• Government stability.
• Protests freedom.
• legitimise regimes

Question 43

Explain the classifications of the constitution.

Answer 43

• Status of rules: written or unwritten, codified or uncodified.
• Ease of change: rigid or flexible.
• Content of constitution: Federal or unitary/presidential or parliamentary system.

Question 44

Explain the judiciary.

Answer 44

• Arm of government
• Function: interpret the law
• Independent