Systems Mod Final

THE NATURE OF POLITICS • What are politics? • The State and government • Different political systems •The political spectrum • Ideologies

What are POLITICS? A dimension of human life present in all established human relationships as well as the distribution of power.

Family

School

Organisation

A set of formal legal institutions that comprise a government or state. All forms of political behaviour across society

Locality

State

International

The state and the government Car body

The STATE

Driver

The GOVERNMENT

The state and the government THE STATE The system, the apparatus of political institutions that ensures the preservation, reproduction or modification of a particular society

THE GOVERNMENT The different ways of controlling the state apparatus different policies, different ideas and routes

The state and the government THE STATE

THE GOVERNMENT

The state and the government THE STATE

THE GOVERNMENT

Legislative Executive

IDEOLOGY Judicative Social order

The soul of the state Legitimises the Government’s action

The state and the government THE STATE

Legislative

Parliament

Executive

Cabinet of Ministers

Judicative

Law Courts

Social order

Police and Army

The state and the government President

Cabinet of Ministers

Head of State

Prime Minister

Law-maker

Cabinet

Chooses cabinet

Parliament

Law Courts

Speaker

Chief Justice

Members

Several law courts

Government majority

Appoints judges

Ceremonial role

Executive power

Legislative power

Judicial power

Nation and State NATION

STATE

A group of people whose members believe they are ancestrally related

A political organisation that exercises authority over a defined territory

Ethnicity

Citizenship

Culture

Territory

Religious

Legality

Nation and State NATION

STATE

Serbia vs. Kosovo Ethnic Albanians Ukraine Pro-Russian, pro-European

Belgium Flanders vs. Walloons

Former Jugoslavia Ripped by ethnic tensions

Nation and State Where do illegal immigrants stand? Pakistanis In Britain

Africans And Arabs in France

National Football teams

Extra Communitari In Italy

Immigrants In Malta

Should immigrants learn French culture? Should Arab women be forced to remove the veil?

Can Chucks Nwoko play for Malta? Are illegal immigrants a threat to our MALTESE identity?

What makes the ideal citizen?

Different levels of statehood National States

Territory People

International Organisations

Supra-national states

Government Unitary Or Self sufficient Federal

The British Commonwealth United Nations (UNO) NATO, G7, African Union The European Union 27 sovereign states In a sovereign entity Called the EU.

What is ‘sovereignty’? Monopoly on legal violence within Its boundaries A sovereign state is one Which has all the necessary Elements to function on its own Freedom from extra-national forces

Should there be any limit on these two elements?

What is ‘sovereignty’?

Myanmar

What is ‘sovereignty’?

Darfur, Sudan

What is ‘sovereignty’?

Iraq

Different political systems Authoritarian • dictatorship • led by a small clan or military junta

Totalitarian • Single party state committed to an ideology led by a dictator

• repress political opponents

• Fully developed police

• allow some pluralism in social organisation

• State full control of the media, culture, economy, etc.

AUTOCRATIC

Democratic • Pluralism • Diversity • Division of power

Different political systems Authoritarian

Chile under Augusto Pinochet Imperial Germany

Myanmar

Turkey under Kemal Ataturk

Different political systems Totalitarian

Nazi Germany Fascist Italy

The STATE is everything The individual exists for the State

Soviet Russia

Different forms of government Political medium of government Monarchy

Constitutional/absolute

Oligarchy/military junta Republic

Rule by an elite

Presidential/ Parliamentary

People’s republic Single party states

Communist states Several Arab states

Political Ideology LEFT CENTRE RIGHT

Different ideologies Traditional chart

Different ideologies Nolan’s Chart

Different ideologies Pournelle Chart

Different ideologies Fascism/ Elitism

• Inequality is a basic quality of nature • Class or racial superiority • Extreme nationalism • Extreme militarism • State worship • State sponsored violence • Police control • All freedom sacrificed for the state

Different ideologies Conservatism/Liberalism

• Preservation of existing social inequality • Support the rich and powerful – trickle effect on the poor • Laissez-faire in the economy • State intervention in social life is limited • Traditional values

Different ideologies Christian Democrats/ Popular Party

• • • •

Christian ideals Individual at the centre Limited state involvement Interest in the underprivileged • Interest in social problems • Less hostile to trade unions and opposition parties

Different ideologies Social democracy

• Stronger role for the state in social, political and economic life. • Nationalisation of all major production units • State involvement in education, housing and medical care.

Different ideologies Socialism

• The importance of social equality • State as the major actor in the economic field • Welfare as a basic right • Allows private enterprise • Believes in parliamentary democracy.

Different ideologies Greens/Environmentalism • Emphasis on the environment • These principles include environmentalism, reliance on grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and social justice causes, including those related to the rights of indigenous peoples. "Greens" believe that these issues are inherently related to ecological, social, and human bodily health.

Different ideologies Marxism/Communism

• The Capitalists – the owners of capital are the root of all evil. • State owns all capital – everything is under state control • Total equality • Complete standardisation

Different ideologies European politics: 10 Liberal Democrats European Socialists

European Greens

Alliance for Europe of nations (Euro sceptics)

European Free Alliance devolutionist European Popular Party

Different ideologies European politics: 10 Party of the European Left Socialists and Communists

European Democratic Party Centrist pro-Euro

Alliance of Independent Democrats Centre-right nationalists

European Union Democrats Centre right and left Euro centric and reformist

Different ideologies European politics: LEFT Party of the European Left Socialists and Communists

European Socialists

European Greens

Different ideologies European politics: CENTRE European Democratic Party Centrist pro-Euro

European Popular Party

European Union Democrats Centre right and left Euro centric and reformist

Different ideologies European politics: RIGHT Alliance of Independent Democrats Centre-right nationalists

Liberal Democrats

Alliance for Europe of nations (Euro sceptics)

European Free Alliance devolutionist

DEMOCRACY What is democracy? Why is democracy so popular nowadays? Is it really better than other political systems? Can we impose democracy? What are the pre-requisites for democracy?

DEMOCRACY What is democracy?

•

Rule by the people

•

Varied degree along the centuries.

• 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Modern criteria Free elections Universal suffrage Multi-party Civil, political and social freedoms Protection of minorities Fairness principle Accountability Ombudsman Toleration Rights and responsibilities

DEMOCRACY Why is democracy so popular?

• • •

• •

It has become a fashion The modern powerful countries are democratic The democratic system seems more successful even economically. More popular with the people. Ideologically more acceptable today

DEMOCRACY • Is it really better than other systems?

• •

•

•

Does not guarantee social and economic equality Does not guarantee a decent standard of living Does not eliminate corruption and immorality Is not always the best solution for a country’s problems. Has been misused by authoritarian leaders.

DEMOCRACY • Is it really better than other systems?

•

•

But it is appealing to the people. Does provide for a more peaceful way to resolve conflict and change Values: liberty, women’s rights, equality, tolerance, gender equality, freedom of movement, multicultural diversity, fair justice, participation, less violent.

DEMOCRACY • The buts of democracy

•

• • • •

In economic chaos, it is weak Authoritarian governments have made a mockery of democracy. Dictatorship by majority Electoral passivity Ignorance Choice of extreme radicals.

DEMOCRACY • Can we impose democracy

• • • •

The preconditions of democracy Elite consensus Culture Economy is not the same as democracy E.g. China Constitutionalism and democracy

DEMOCRACY The pre-conditions Of democracy

• • • • • •

Modernization/wealth Pro-democracy culture and conviction Strong middle class External factors Lack of chaos A long developed political process

DEMOCRACY Democracy is rule by the people. So how do people rule? To what extent do common people participate ? How do people participate?

DEMOCRACY How do people participate in politics?

• • • • • • • •

Apathetic inactiveness Passive supporters Contacting specialists Intelligent communicators Party and campaign workers Community activists Protesters Politicians

DEMOCRACY What motivates people to participate in politics?

•

Attitudes to the community, to the country, to international affairs.

•

Our attitudes are strongly influenced by our opinions, interests and values.

DEMOCRACY Restrictions to individual participation

• • • • • • •

Five years residence Age limits (18yrs) Mental limits (senile) ‘National’ or ‘local’ citizenship Literary/income laws Privileges to Elites ‘Sudden’ meetings or elections

№

Country

Index

Category

1

Sweden

9.88

Functioning democracy

2

Iceland

9.71

Functioning democracy

3

Netherlands

9.66

Functioning democracy

4

Norway

9.55

Functioning democracy

5

Denmark

9.52

Functioning democracy

6

Finland

9.25

Functioning democracy

7

Luxembourg 9.10

Functioning democracy

8

Australia

9.09

Functioning democracy

9

Canada

9.07

Functioning democracy

10

Switzerland

9.02

Functioning democracy

11

Ireland

9.01 Functioning democracy

12

New Zealand

9.01 Functioning democracy

13

Germany

8.82 Functioning democracy

14

Austria

8.69 Functioning democracy

15

Malta

8.39 Functioning democracy

16

Spain

8.34 Functioning democracy

17

United States

8.22 Functioning democracy

18

Czech Republic 8.17 Functioning democracy

19

Portugal

8.16 Functioning democracy

20

Belgium

8.15 Functioning democracy

31

South Korea 7.88 Flawed democracy

32

Taiwan

7.82 Flawed democracy

33

Estonia

7.74 Flawed democracy

34

Italy

7.73 Flawed democracy

35

India

7.68 Flawed democracy

36

Botswana

7.60 Flawed democracy

37

Cyprus

7.60 Flawed democracy

38

Hungary

7.53 Flawed democracy

39

Cape Verde

7.43 Flawed democracy

40

Lithuania

7.43 Flawed democracy

83

Albania

5.91 Hybrid regime

84

Singapore

5.89 Hybrid regime

85

Madagascar

5.82 Hybrid regime

86

Lebanon

5.82 Hybrid regime

87

Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.78 Hybrid regime

88

Turkey

5.70 Hybrid regime

89

Nicaragua

5.68 Hybrid regime

90

Thailand

5.67 Hybrid regime

91

Fiji

5.66 Hybrid regime

92

Ecuador

5.64 Hybrid regime

93

Venezuela

5.42 Hybrid regime

113

Pakistan

3.92 Authoritarian regime

113

Jordan

3.92 Authoritarian regime

115

Comoros

3.90 Authoritarian regime

115

Morocco

3.90 Authoritarian regime

115

Egypt

3.90 Authoritarian regime

118

Rwanda

3.82 Authoritarian regime

119

Burkina Faso 3.72 Authoritarian regime

120

Kazakhstan

3.62 Authoritarian regime

121

Sierra Leone

3.57 Authoritarian regime

122

Niger

3.54 Authoritarian regime

123

Bahrain

3.53 Authoritarian regime

124

Cuba

3.52 Authoritarian regime

124

Nigeria

3.52 Authoritarian regime

DEMOCRACY Popular participation

• 1. 2. 3.

Direct democracy Participative By referendum By direct assembly

• 1. 2. 3.

Indirect democracy Representative Delegative Intermediaries

DEMOCRACY Representative democracy

Selection of government officials by the people. The people exercise their sovereignty largely through the electoral process. Decisions are then taken by these officials on behalf of the people.

DEMOCRACY Representative democracy

Direct representation

Indirect representation

DEMOCRACY Representative democracy

Parliamentary democracy Parliament

Cabinet of Ministers

DEMOCRACY Representative democracy

Liberal democracy

Protection of liberties Western democracies

Illiberal democracy

The citizens’ liberties are restricted as is there free choice even in the Elections. Communist states

DEMOCRACY Representative democracy

Presidential democracy

DEMOCRACY Representative democracy

Constitutional republic Qualified Majority Voting

USA

According to population And according to sovereign units

DEMOCRACY Direct democracy

This is also called ‘Pure Democracy. The citizens have the opportunity to participating in a decision at different levels and so the final decision is a collective decision taken by the people.

DEMOCRACY Direct democracy Initiative/ petition for a popular vote Referendum: Consultative, abrogatory, mandatory Recall: the right to recall elected officials: Impeachment. Soviet democracy or workplace democracy Anarchist democracy: majority decisions not binding on minority Tribal democracy: the tribal community decides Sortition: choosing decision makers at random Consensus democracy: total consensus

DEMOCRACY Direct democracy

Arguments for direct democracy

• More representative – because of universal suffrage • Less conflict of interest – because the interests of elected representatives is not always that of all. • Less corruption – There is more transparency. • No need of political parties – so free individual ideas • No costly elections and no problematic government transitions

DEMOCRACY Direct democracy

Arguments for direct democracy

• Less Patronage and nepotism • More transparency in decision-making • More accountability – Elected members cannot do as they wish. • Less voter apathy - because everyone has a direct involvement in the procedure.

DEMOCRACY Direct democracy Arguments against direct democracy

• Unpractical in large communities • Deciding all public matters by referendum is costly, and time-consuming. • The possibility of DEMAGOGUES or charismatic leaders taking over control. • Public matters are too COMPLEX and not everyone able to deal with complex issues.

DEMOCRACY Direct democracy Arguments against direct democracy

• The TYRANNY of the majority • Voter SELF-INTEREST might become too dominant. • Manipulation by timing and framing the questions for referenda. • VOTER APATHY might be a serious problem.

DEMOCRACY The Maltese state: an admixture of systems

Direct democracy

Representative democracy

• Use of referenda • The right to make petitions

• General elections • Local Council elections • Election of the President

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different types of formal democratic structures Civil political entities Military entities Ecclesiastical entities

School entities Business entities Associations entities

Both DIRECT and REPRESENTATIVE democracy

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different levels of formal democratic structures Civil political entities

Local and national level

Local councils Parliament

European Parliament European level

Council of Ministers European Commission European Court of Law

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different levels of formal democratic structures Civil political entities

European continent level

Council of Europe Parliament NATO

UN General Assembly International level

UN committees British Commonwealth G8/ OPEC

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different levels of formal democratic structures Laws binding on A local level

Local civil political entities

Local councils

Councillors

Local residents

Laws binding on A national level

Parliament Representative Democracy

Elections

Parliamentarians

National residents

The EU Structure President

Rotating Presidency

President

EU Parliament

EU Council

EU Commission

Passes laws Voice of The people 785 m

Majority votes

Court of Justice Rule of law 27 m

Court of Auditors Real value for money 27 m

Policy decisions Voice of the member states 27 m Qualified majority voting

Econ. And Social Comm. Voice of civil society

Executive Common Interest 27 m

Euro Central Bank Stable currency

344 m

Comm. Of the Regions The local perspective 344 m

Euro Investment Bank Lending a help

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different levels of formal democratic structures Referenda over Major decisions European Parliament Universal suffrage Relative to population Each state has minimum

Maltese people directly elect 5 Euro MPs

EU structures

Representative Democracy

Council of Ministers

European Commission

Each state has a rep. Rotating presidency Qualified majority voting

European Court of Law

Maltese govt sends its For. Min. Or PM.

Each state nominates One rep. Approved by EUR Parliament.

Treaty of Lisbon Stronger EU Parliament

• A more democratic and transparent Europe, with a strengthened role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, more opportunities for citizens to have their voices heard and a clearer sense of who does what at European and national level.

Greater involvement of National parliaments EU citizens consulted More directly More transparency And clear competences Withdrawal from EU Is also possible

Treaty of Lisbon More efficient decision-making based on • A more efficient Europe, Both nations and pop.

with simplified working methods and voting rules, streamlined and modern institutions for a EU of 27 members and an improved ability to act in areas of major priority for today's Union.

New positions created In the EU admin. EU citizens consulted More directly More powers to intervene In imp areas

Treaty of Lisbon • A Europe of rights and values, freedom, solidarity and security, promoting the Union's values, introducing the Charter of Fundamental Rights into European primary law, providing for new solidarity mechanisms and ensuring better protection of European citizens.

Reinforcing democratic values Charter of Fundamental Rights The 4 Freedoms: Political, social, religious and economic freedom. Solidarity between Member states Increased security for all Health, crime, terrorism

Treaty of Lisbon • Europe as an actor on the global stage will be achieved by bringing together Europe's external policy tools, both when developing and deciding new policies. The Treaty of Lisbon will give Europe a clear voice in relations with its partners worldwide. It will harness Europe's economic, humanitarian, political and diplomatic strengths to promote European interests and values worldwide, while respecting the particular interests of the Member States in Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs High Representative A new European external Action service Single legal personality For all the Union European Security and Defence Policy

THE PILLARS • Economic: European Communities (EC, EURATOM) • Common Foreign and Security Policy • Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal matters • Political and cultural integration: centralisation and regionalisation, democracy, and freedom • Supra-national legal entity: ‘a new legal order of international law • Social and environmental: common policies in social and environmental spheres.

What does the EU do? ¾Fewer frontiers, more opportunities ¾Going abroad to learn ¾A greener Europe ¾Euros in your pocket ¾Equal chances ¾Freedom, security and justice for all ¾Jobs and growth ¾Exporting peace and stability

Fewer frontiers … more opportunities •

You can travel across most of the EU without a passport and without border checks.

•

You can shop in another country where goods are cheaper without restrictions or additional taxes, as long as what you buy is for your own use. The single currency, the euro, allows you to compare prices directly in all the countries that use it. Travel between euro countries is easier because the costs and inconvenience of changing money have disappeared.

•

Competition introduced by the frontier-free single market has driven quality up and prices down. Phone calls, Internet access and air travel are cheaper. As consumers, EU rules protect you from faulty or substandard products whether you buy locally or in another country. The EU also sets the highest standards for food safety.

Going abroad to learn • More than two million young people have already used EU programmes to study or train in another European country. As a result, the EU schemes for educational exchanges and trans-border partnerships like Erasmus, Leonardo and Comenius are bywords among students and other learners. • The EU does not decide what you learn in school, but it does work to ensure that your educational and professional qualifications are properly recognised in other EU countries.

A greener Europe

• A healthy environment is a big issue for Europeans and their governments. This is why the EU is spearheading world efforts to protect the environment and fight climate change.

• It has taken the lead in implementing the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. As part of this effort, the EU has introduced an innovative ‘emission trading scheme’ whereby energy-intensive companies which cut their emissions are rewarded and those who exceed agreed limits have to pay a penalty. • As pollution knows no borders, EU member states have taken joint action in many areas. It is not surprising then that Europe’s rivers and beaches are cleaner, vehicles pollute less, and there are strict rules for waste disposal. Dangerous waste from Europe can no longer be dumped in poor countries.

Euros in your pockets

• The Euro (€) is probably the EU’s most tangible achievement. The single currency is shared by 15 countries (2008), representing two thirds of the EU population. Others will follow once their economies are ready. • All euro notes and coins can be used in the countries where the euro is accepted. Each note is the same, while the coins have a common design on one side and a national emblem of their country of origin on the other side.

Equal opportunities • Our society is fairer and more efficient when we do not discriminate against fellow human beings because of their nationality, gender, handicap, race or other factors. That is why EU law bans discrimination. • As long ago as the 1950s, the first EU treaties contained a clear-cut rule that men and women must have equal pay for equal work. This has given the EU a pioneering role in the fight for women’s rights, which are now an integral part of all EU policies.

Freedom, security and Justice for all • To tackle cross-border crime and terrorism, EU countries have taken steps to ensure full cooperation between their police and customs officers, immigration services and law courts. • European Arrest Warrant. • Asylum policies and controls at the EU’s external frontiers. • Since EU citizens are free to live in any member country, they must have equal access to justice everywhere in the EU.

Jobs and growth • Single Market and Single Currency have removed obstacles to trade and mobility. • Growth and jobs remain a priority for EU leaders. • In today’s competitive world, Europe needs new jobs and a skilled workforce. New jobs can come from research and development. • One third of the EU’s €115-billion-a-year budget is spent on attracting investment and creating jobs in disadvantaged regions, and training unemployed or under-qualified workers.

Exporting peace and security • War between EU countries is now unthinkable, thanks to the unity that has been built up between them over the last 50 years. • Given this success, the EU is now working to spread peace and stability beyond its borders. • The best way to prevent conflicts from arising in the first place is to create greater prosperity worldwide. • The EU sends military and police missions as peacekeepers to troublespots.

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different levels of formal democratic structures United Nations

General Assembly

Every member state has a vote.

Security Council

5 nations have a VETO A number of countries are chosen by rotation. and have a normal vote.

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different types of formal democratic structures Government

School entities

Board of Directors School management team

Student Councils

Students

Union

Teachers

Parents Association

Parents

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different types of formal democratic structures Business entity Board of Directors Day to day running Company general policy

Company management

Shareholders

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different types of formal democratic structures Association

Day to day

Committee

Statute

Representative democracy General |Assembly

Direct democracy Members

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES Different types of formal democratic structures Political parties and unions Day to day

Committee

Statute/policy

Representative democracy General |Assembly

Direct democracy Members