Social Studies Flashcards
Politics:
The way a country is governed. It’s about making choices for a country
General interest issues:
For example, a good education, if you’re not in school anymore but you need a doctor it is important that they are good educated
Biggest dilemma in politics:
Should they opt for a quick affective and efficient administration or should they give priority to maximum participation of citizens
Dictatorship:
No separation of power, ordinary have no or very less power and they don’t have a rule of law
Features of dictatorships: (5)
- individual freedom is restricted
- no political freedom
- no independent judges
- the media is censored
- a lot of violence is used against citizens
Democracy index:
It measures the state of democracy in a country
3 types of dictatorship:
- autocratic: one leading figure is the face of the power
- totalitarian: a party/group seizes the power via an ideological revolution. A lot of indoctrination
- theocracy: a certain religion becomes the state ideology, citizens are forced to live by the rules of that religion
Democracy:
The people rule
Direct democracy:
The people vote directly for laws and rules
Representative (indirect) democracy:
The people vote. The people who they vote for (the elected representatives) decide/come up with laws and rules
Features of democracy (5):
- individual freedom
- basic political rights
- power of police and army is restricted
- judges are independent
- freedom of press
Democracy years for nl 1806:
Nl became a monarchy
Democracy years for nl 1848:
Political power in hands of the parliament
Democracy years for nl 1917:
Nl became a fully-fledged democracy. Men can vote from now on
Democracy years for nl 1922:
Also women can finally vote now jeez that took long
Left wing:
An active government to reach greater equality
Right wing:
Inequality between people is to a certain degree justified or inevitable. Freedom and own responsibility are key values for right winged parties (government should be more passive)
Progressive view:
Forward thinking, for example, invest more in sustainable energy
Conservative view:
Maintaining the status quo, for example, nl should not hand over any more power to the EU
Reactionary view:
Want to reintroduce old rules/regulations, for example, lower the retirement age back to 65
Ideology:
A set of beliefs or principles with ideas about norms and values, most ideal socio-economic system and the desired division of powers
Confessionalism:
Political opinion based on a specific faith (cda, sgp) they compare the state with a human body. Most important values for them are:
- solidarity
- harmony
- stewardship
- shared responsibility
Liberalism:
If anyone does what is best for him/her self it is also better for the whole society. Key concepts are:
- freedom (economic and individual0
- tolerance
- individual responsibility
Socialism:
It is the task of the government to give everyone the same opportunities they are against the free market economy
Political party SP:
Left wing socialist party, pro social, economic, healthcare, housing
PvdD
Left wing social party, pro animal and nature welfare
50+
Left winged social party, focused on the older citizens
Gl PvdA
Left winged social party, environment issues and pro broadest shoulders carries heaviest weight
D66
Right winged party, social liberals
PVV
Left winged liberal, think islam is a major threat for the Netherlands
VVD
Right winged, individual freedom
CDA
Right winged, confessionalism, see bible as a source of inspiration for laws
CU
Right winged, confessionals but also liberals
SGP
Right winged, liberal party, con orthodox Protestant party
3 characteristics of Dutch political parties
- party members
- conferences
- executive committees
Which elections are there in the Netherlands: (4)
- Second chamber
- Staten provincial, those are the same choices for the people in the first chamber
- EU
Rights from citizens during elections:
- The right to vote
- The right to keep your vote secret if you want to
Who is allowed to vote:
- 18 years and older
- legal Dutch indentity
Preference vote:
When a voter cast his/her vote for a candidate who is included lower on the list
System of proportional representation:
A system in the nl that does not make use of separate electional districts
Advantage: a vote to the minority groups
Disadvantage: difficult to make a government
District system:
You can only be a candidate in one voting district
Advantage: the voters know the candidates better
Disadvantage: a lot of votes go to waste
Electional quota:
The number of votes required for one single seat
Cabinet formation:
2 or more parties will start a government but they need to form a coalition together to form the government (this can take long)
Questions during negotiation during formation:
- which parties are prepared to form a coalition government
- how can the different party programmes be putted together
- which party will be given which minister/state-secretaris
- who will take up the various ministers and state secretaries
5 phases of cabinet process:
1: options, the informateur looks for the realistic options of parties who can form a coalition government together
2: parties, informateur establishes which parties are most likely to negotiate a new coalition government
3: program, the parties negotiate together and the agreements are set down
3: government posts, the parties divide the issues into the ministerial posts and state secretaryships
5: personal nominations, determining which individuals are hold the different ministerial posts and state secretary
