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9 Cards in this Set
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Democracy |
A very general description of various political systems that are organised on the basis that government should serve the interests of the people. In liberal democracies it is also expected that citizens should influence decisions or make decisions themselves. It is also expected that government should be accountable, in various ways, to the people |
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Legitimacy |
The degree at which the state to its government can be considered to have the right to exercise power. A state or government can be said to be legitimate if it has a valid claim to rule |
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Representation |
The political idea is that people elect or appoint representatives to make decisions on their behalf rather than making those decisions themselves. On a social level it implies that political institutions should have a membership that is broadly a social cross section of society in general |
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Direct Democracy |
A term that describes a political system or circumstances where the people themselves make key political decisions. It flourished, for example, in Ancient Athens |
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Representative Democracy |
A political system where most decisions are made by elected representatives rather than the people themselves. It also implies that the people are represented by individuals and associations who communicate their demands and interests to decision makers |
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Liberal Democracy |
A type of democracy where there is an emphasis on the protection of individual rights and liberties, where the rule of law is strictly adhered to, and where government is limited by enforceable constitutional laws |
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Parliamentary Democracy |
A type of representative democracy where an elected parliament is the source of all political authority and where government is drawn largely from parliament |
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Political Participation |
Opportunities for and tendencies of the people to become involved in the political process. At a minimum level this will involve voting, but may also involve active work in political parties or pressure groups. At the highest level it implies standing for public office |
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Referendum |
A popular vote where the people are asked to determine an important political or constitutional issue directly |
