Politics and Democracy Overview

Exam Preparation Answers - Study Notes

• Politics: Defined as the process where individuals or groups make decisions impacting society. Involves power, authority, governance, laws, policies, decision-making, public/private interests, and conflict/cooperation
• Cantonal Governments Subsidies: Some cantonal governments in certain regions subsidize daycare fees more than others (question 2)
• Democracy: A form of government where power rests with the people, either directly or through elected representatives. Emphasizes individual rights, equality, and the rule of law (question 3)
• Voter Turnout: A measure of democratic participation, but not a perfect indicator of health, influenced by factors like compulsory voting or election frequency (question 4)
• Democracy Performance Metrics: Factors like voter turnout, political participation, accountability, rule of law, and conflict resolution skills can assess a democracy's success (question 5)
• Confidence/No Confidence Votes: A 'confidence vote' affirms a government's legitimacy. 'No confidence vote' expresses disapproval, potentially leading to the government's resignation (question 6)
• Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems: Presidential systems feature clear separation of powers, direct presidential election, and often greater stability, but can risk authoritarianism and difficulty removing the president. Parliamentary systems involve potential political gridlock and may result in fewer resources spent on public goods (questions 7, 8)
• Federalism Advantages and Disadvantages: Federal systems promote local autonomy, accommodate diversity, and allow for tailored policies, but they can also lead to inequality between regions, complicated governance and conflicts between federal and state governments (question 9)
• Political Figures/Institutions: Joe Biden (USA), Council of States (Switzerland), Federal President of Germany (question 10)
• Voting Systems: Majority, proportional voting systems exist for voting procedures (question 11)
• Referendums: Mandatory referendums have higher success rates due to legal requirements, unlike optional ones which rely more on voter mobilization (question 13)
• Direct Democracy: Challenges include potential voter fatigue, oversimplified complex issues, and vulnerability to manipulation by special interest groups (question 14)
• Political Preferences, Attitudes, Beliefs: Voters may base decisions on their political party, preferred candidates, or ideologies, attitudes or beliefs (question 15)
• Voting Motivations: Reasons include party loyalty, candidate trust, personal values, and alignment with political ideologies (question 16)
• Political Parties: Parties organize elections, represent public interests, formulate policies, recruit candidates, and uphold democratic accountability (question 17)
• Sovereign State Collaboration (International Relations): Function as a link between sovereign states in a comprehensive network (question 18)
• Lobbying's Impact on Democracy: Potential for disproportionate influence by powerful interest groups and undermining democratic processes (question 19)
• MP Roles: Elected officials can act as trustees or delegates, representing the interests of constituents or their parties (question 20)
• Presidential vs. Parliamentary Processes: Parliamentary systems have laws introduced by the government, while presidential systems often involve laws originating from and being executed by the president (question 21)
• Electorate Representation: Descriptive representation describes political institutions' composition, while symbolic representation focuses on how groups feel about the representation (question 22)
• Representation & Inclusion: Unequal representation can lead to disenfranchisement and inequality. Efforts towards diverse representation can create social justice and policy improvements (question 23)

This quiz covers key concepts in politics and democracy, including the role of government, voter participation, and metrics for assessing democratic success. It will help you prepare for understanding the complexities of governance and public policy. Perfect for students looking to solidify their grasp on political science fundamentals.