Socio-political movement -. Socio-political movement
LECTURE No. 7
Topic: Political parties and party systems.
Target: reveal the concept, origin, functions of political parties. Give a classification of political parties. Analyze the types of party systems. Characterize the process of formation of a multi-party system in Ukraine.
Type of lesson: lecture.
Plan
1. Concept, origin, classification and functions of political parties.
2. Party systems and their typology.
3. Formation of a multi-party system in Ukraine.
1. Concept, origin, classification and functions of political parties.
In the life of modern society, one of the most prominent places belongs to political parties. Parties act as a very significant and sometimes decisive element of the political system of society. They are exponents of the interests and goals of certain classes and social groups. Parties take an active part in the functioning of the mechanism of political power or have a certain influence on it. An essential aspect of their activity is the ideological influence on the population and the formation of political consciousness. Political Party is a voluntary association of people based on ideological and political values, representing certain social classes, social groups and strata, striving to realize common interests and goals by gaining political power or participating in it.
Power is the ultimate goal of any party, an instrument for realizing the interests of those social groups or classes that are its social base. Whatever goals the party sets for itself - building communism or saving the environment - it uses them to achieve power, form its own government or include its representatives in a coalition government. Being the ruling party, the party strives to use all state power in the interests of those social and class forces that it represents. This distinguishes the party, for example, from public organizations and movements, lobbying formations, which also actively participate in political life, but do not aim to gain and use political power. Thus, the fundamental difference between parties and social movements is that parties fight for participation in the exercise of state power, and movements do not claim direct participation in it and do not take on associated responsibilities. In addition, political parties, compared to social movements, are a higher and more stable organizational form.
TO main features political parties include:
Active participation in political struggle;
Availability of membership;
A certain social base;
Availability of a political program and charter;
Community of interests and similarity of ideological views of the people united in the party;
The presence of one or more leaders.
The first ideas about parties are associated with the names of such great thinkers and political figures as C. Montesquieu, J.-J. Rousseau, E. Burke and others. The problem of political parties occupied a significant place in the works of famous scientists of the early 20th century: M. Weber, M. Ostrogorsky, R. Michels, G. Mosca.
When did political parties emerge?
Information about the first party formations dates back to Ancient Greece. Thus, Aristotle speaks of parties of the valley and mountain, meaning, of course, not parties in the modern sense of the word, but political unions. These were relatively few and narrow in composition unions or groupings that were not stable and were not firmly institutionalized. Such formations also existed in the Middle Ages.
Political parties in their modern sense first emerged in Europe in the second half of the 19th century, and then in other parts of the world. Their birth was directly influenced by the introduction of universal suffrage, the emergence of parliaments and parliamentarism as a form of organization and exercise of state power. Initially, in capitalist society, political parties were created mainly by various groups of the bourgeoisie, as well as its opponents from among the feudal-aristocratic strata. Subsequently, mass parties began to emerge defending the interests of hired workers. In a democratic society, parties are the most important link connecting the people, parliament and government. It is through parties that government bodies can turn to the masses for support, and the masses, in turn, can influence the work of parliament and government, the process of their formation.
In the history of the formation of parties M. Weber distinguishes three stages: aristocratic group, political club, mass party . This division of parties in political science is generally recognized. However, we note that only two English parties went through all stages of development according to this classical scheme: liberal (Whigs) and conservative (Tory). For the most part, the formation of parties followed different paths. The first mass political party was founded in England in 1861. It was called the Liberal Election Registration Partnership. One of the first political organizations of the proletariat was also the “Union of Communists”, created by K. Marx and F. Engels in 1847. in London. His program was the “Manifesto of the Communist Party” written by K. Marx and F. Engels, published in 1848. The motto of the "Union of Communists" was the slogan "Workers of all countries, unite!" An important stage in the formation of working class parties was the creation in 1864. International Workers' Association - First International.
Classification (typology) of political parties.
Here, much depends on the criteria that are taken as the basis for typologization: character, goals, objectives, conditions of activity, class interests, etc.
If, for example, the character and objectives of their activities (direction) are taken as the basis for the classification of parties, then all existing parties are usually reduced to the following types: revolutionary, standing for deep, fundamental changes in social relations; reformist, advocating moderate changes in various spheres of social life, without encroaching on the foundations of the system; conservative, standing in conservation positions , those who stand for the preservation of the basic features of modern life; reactionary, setting themselves the task of restoring old structures.
There is a Marxist analysis of parties and party classification. The determining role in them is given to the class nature of the criteria, according to which they distinguish bourgeois, petty-bourgeois, peasant and proletarian parties.
Depending on their participation in the exercise of power, parties are divided into ruling and opposition. Ruling parties have a majority of seats in parliament, form a government, and are distinguished by great conservatism. They strive to maintain the existing state of affairs and prevent sudden and rapid changes. Opposition parties , on the contrary, they are dynamic. They tend to criticize the existing government and advocate reform.
Political parties can also be divided into parties ideological And interest parties . In the first case, we are talking about establishing a certain social order. They, as a rule, clearly imagine a particular model of social structure and strive to implement it in practice. An example of a party of this kind can be considered the Bolshevik party, which sought to destroy the “old world” and build a fundamentally new society on its ruins.
The main goal of a party of interests can be considered to defend the positions of a particular social group. Its point of honor is to win a “place in the sun” for those sections of society on the basis of which it was created. This, in turn, makes it possible to divide interest parties into workers, peasants, intelligentsia parties etc. Such parties have become fewer and fewer in recent years. This is due to the fact that people gradually come to realize their common interests, regardless of their social affiliation.
Parties are often placed along the political spectrum from right to left: right, center, left . In modern politics "left" It is generally accepted to consider parties that advocate the implementation of communist, socialist, social democratic ideals, the transfer of the means of production to public ownership, and firm social guarantees. "Rights" parties traditionally defend a strong state that preserves private property and the established social system. Parties occupy an intermediate place between the “left” and “right” "center".
According to the conditions of activity, parties can be divided into legal, semi-legal and illegal . The first are officially permitted, registered and operate within the framework of the law, the second are not registered, but are not prohibited, and finally, the third are prohibited by the state and operate by unconventional methods, often in conflict with constitutional norms. The latter include, as a rule, those parties that come out with slogans of violent change in the existing system.
Functions of political parties
First, defining the development goal. When developing their programs, parties strive to justify the direction of the social development strategy and the ultimate goal;
Secondly, the expression and unification of public interests. Individual groups of citizens can express their interests, but only parties bring them together and in a form that directly influences the decisions of government bodies;
Thirdly, mobilization and socialization of citizens. Parties are designed to strengthen the political activity of citizens and create the basis for long-term political activity;
Fourthly, in a democratic political system, the formation of the ruling elite and the composition of the government (the latter is of decisive importance, without this function the effective activity of any party is impossible);
Fifthly, conducting election campaigns. Parties are called upon to act as the main organizers and actors, without leaving this matter to the power structures, the bureaucratic apparatus (bureaucrats);
Sixth, exercising control over power. This means not allowing one person or group of people to usurp power. Democracy does not bind the future with one person; it is an expression of the will of the majority, its implementation through this majority.
The main way to carry out these functions is the election campaign, the party's nomination of its candidates for legislative bodies and the government. Let's say, with the beginning of the election campaign, each party launches an agitation and propaganda campaign, during which it strives to present its program goals and objectives, its candidates, in the most attractive way, and to win as many voters as possible to its side. In this case, various forms and methods of work are used: oral and printed propaganda and agitation, television, radio, etc. Elections are the most active phase of activity.
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The success of any political party in society depends on many factors. Among them, it is necessary to note such as the form of government (presidential or parliamentary republic) and the type of national-territorial structure of the state (unitary or federal) within which it operates, the specifics of electoral legislation, the regime of government, etc. All this has an impact on the program, pre-election activity, and daily activities of parties after the election results are summed up.
The nature of a political party is most clearly manifested through its functions:
1) Struggle for power (peaceful redistribution of power between various social forces avoids social upheavals when the balance of political forces changes). Winning an election makes it possible to form a government and begin to implement the interests represented through public policy.
2) Social representation. Each party strives to unite the widest possible strata of society and represent various social groups, since success in elections can only be ensured by a party that expresses national interests rather than narrow group ones.
3) Social integration. Achieving agreement with the existing system, social conformism, reconciliation of the interests of conflicting social groups.
4) Political socialization of citizens. Inclusion of a person in the world of politics through the formation of value orientations, social and political attitudes, skills in socio-political activity, the formation of public opinion in order to ensure ideological support for the party and discredit its political opponents.
5) Political recruitment, formation of the ruling elite. Training and promotion of personnel and coordination of their work in government bodies, public organizations and movements.
6) Development and implementation of a political course (it is necessary to formulate disagreements with other political forces on the main issues of social development).
In order to effectively implement these functions, political parties need material resources. Sources of financing for political parties can be grouped into the following three groups:
Own party funds. They are formed from entrance and membership fees, deductions from the salaries of leading party members, income from property and business activities. There are some restrictions here. For example, in Slovakia, political parties are prohibited from having property abroad; in Egypt and Ethiopia, they are prohibited from engaging in business activities. In addition, this aspect of the activities of political parties can lead to the fact that when engaged in entrepreneurial activities, parties merge with financial and industrial capital.
Private financing. This includes voluntary donations from individuals and legal entities. Most democratic states legally limit or completely prohibit financial support for political parties from charitable and religious organizations, state-owned enterprises, anonymous donors, and from abroad. Thus, in the USA and Israel it is prohibited to accept assistance from private legal entities (societies, organizations, firms, etc.). Sometimes both the amount of donations and the specific activities to be financed are determined by law.
Government funding. The state provides direct financial support to those parties that have passed the electoral threshold. There is a practice of distributing finances depending on the number of votes received by a party in elections (Germany, Sweden). In Denmark, Finland, and Italy, the amount of financial assistance is determined by the number of parliamentary mandates received. In addition, there is also indirect government support for political parties. Parties are provided with free airtime, space for publications and statements in the media, etc.
The leadership of a political party must publish reports on the sources of financial income, expenditure of funds, and property of the party. Almost all countries have restrictions on spending on election campaigns.
Concept of a political party means a special type of public organization whose task is to take part in the management of the state or local government (a city, for example). The party may also aim to completely seize state power.
The first political parties in the modern sense appeared in the 19th century in some Western countries after the introduction of universal voting rights: Progressive Party of Germany, Belgian Liberal Party, etc.
An interesting fact is that more than a third of Russians, according to surveys, do not understand what political parties are for. To do this, consider the goals and functions of political parties.
Functions of political parties.
- Formation of public opinion.
- Political education of citizens of the state.
- Expressing citizens' positions on social issues.
- Communicating this position to the public and authorities.
- Nominating your candidates for elections at various levels.
Types of political parties.
According to social class criterion:
- Bourgeois parties (consisting of representatives of business, entrepreneurs).
- Workers (representatives of workers, peasants)
- Reconcilers (from various representatives of all classes).
On party organization:
- Cadre parties - consisting of professional politicians or parliamentarians and having a group of leaders. They are most active during elections. The target audience is representatives of the elite. Funded from private sources.
- Mass parties are centralized organizations with statutory membership. Funded by membership fees. They are numerous and have a target audience of the masses.
By degree of involvement in government:
- The ruling ones are those who have a majority in parliament.
- Opposition members are opponents of the ruling parties and constitute a minority in parliament.
- Non-participants are those who did not receive a sufficient number of votes in the elections.
- Left (communist and socialist, or having a corresponding bias).
- Right (nationalist, or with a nationalist bias, as well as conservative and liberal).
- Centrists (democrats).
- Mixed.
By organizational structure:
- Classic type - with a clear organization and permanent membership.
- Movement type - membership in them is formal.
- Political clubs - free membership.
- Authoritarian-proprietary type - a party of one person, the author of the party’s ideology and its main representative (for example, the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc or the Radical Party of Oleg Lyashko).
By type of ideology:
- Liberal parties. Aimed at minimal government intervention in public and personal life.
- Democratic parties. They stand for democracy.
- Social democratic parties. They advocate state regulation of public life.
- Communist parties. For complete equality, public property, government control over social and economic life.
- Nationalist parties. The ideology of the domination of the nation in the life of the country.
- Clerical parties. Church and religious ideas and norms.
- Green parties. Ecological component of political ideology.
- Fascist parties. Elimination of freedoms, suppression of human personality.
Often a particular type of political party is associated with certain colors and sometimes emblems. For example, it is generally accepted that all communist (left) parties are associated with the color red. Conservative parties tend to be blue or blue-black, Social Democrats are pink and Liberals are yellow. The color of the green parties is obvious, while the color of the monarchists is white (sometimes purple). Brown, black, red-black - the colors of fascists and neo-Nazis. Another popular type of color is the color of the national flag. These colors are most popular in Ukraine.
The key feature of such a phenomenon as political parties is that they become intermediaries between society and the state. Political parties are the highest form of organization of political activity (compared to other group subjects of political activity - mass movements, public organizations, pressure groups, etc.). In addition, political parties are also the most organized form of social activity.
Economic goals of society development
Each state, each society, for its development, first of all sets itself certain goals, and first of all, these are economic goals. Of course, these goals were different at different periods of human development. It was one thing when a person was still at the primitive stage of his development, another under conditions of slavery or feudalism. But it is important for us to understand these economic goals in our time, during the period of modern development of both humanity and the economy.
The first and main goal of the economy, which is always talked about (though often only declared), is to increase the well-being of the country's citizens. And, based on this goal, all its other tasks are determined, namely:
1. An increase in the well-being of citizens is not possible without general state economic growth, without the development of the national economy, which constantly needs to improve social production, update technologies, connections, motivation, and so on.
2. Any well-being of citizens begins with their employment. The higher the level of employment, the higher the social welfare, and vice versa. Every willing and able-bodied citizen should be provided with this very employment, either in the form of a mercenary, or an entrepreneur, or a government employee at any level.
3. But the employment of citizens should not be just employment, it should be effective employment, that is, with a certain level of social labor return. Otherwise, employment for the sake of employment may simply turn into a certain form of social support under the guise of socially useful work.
4. In addition to the effective employment of citizens, a system for the most optimal use of production and natural resources must be established. It is on this that the costs of producers largely depend, and therefore the prices of manufactured goods and the possibility of purchasing them by the population.
5. In many ways, the order, price level, their rise or fall determine stability in economic development. Any development requires a certain stability, and the economy even more so. If prices fluctuate greatly, then it will be very difficult for both producers and consumers to adjust to them, and this will cause various large and small crises of overproduction here and there, bankruptcies of producers and a decrease in demand from consumers, and therefore a general decrease welfare of citizens.
6. But in addition to price stability, the most important factor in the development of the economy is the stability and fairness of legislation in the field of economics and adjacent areas. The economy simply cannot develop normally if some laws apply today and others tomorrow. For economic development, the taxation system is very important, which should not only replenish the state treasury, but also perform other functions. Firstly, it must be fair (those who have more should pay more, and not haphazardly, as, for example, in Russia). Secondly, to stimulate the development of the economy, and especially its “white”, official part, and not push entrepreneurs and citizens into various concealments. If there is massive concealment of income or simply some activity in the economy, then this is no longer the fault of citizens, but of the state, its Government and legislators.
7. Economic activity must have a certain freedom in its activities, in generating income, in the possibilities of opening, developing and closing a business, hiring workers, and so on. The more various barriers stand in the way of economic development, the slower and less actively and efficiently it will develop. Any activity permitted by law should be available to any citizen without any far-fetched bureaucratic reservations. But, at the same time, any activity related to the health or safety of citizens must be sufficiently controlled, but without interfering with normal activities.
8. For the general well-being of citizens, the public economy must function in such a way that, on the one hand, it creates all the conditions for its growth, and, on the other, distributes the total social product so that there is no excess income for some due to the impoverishment of others, than, Unfortunately, today's Russian economy is different.
Especially when it concerns the impoverishment of a large number of citizens with weak social protection of the state due to the dubious enrichment of others who use directly or indirectly access to budgets of various levels or other government functions of any purpose and level.
9. Another most important task of any state is proper foreign trade, which, firstly, must bring a positive trade balance (exports in monetary terms must exceed imports), and, secondly, the sales structure must be shifted towards the final product, and not raw materials or supplies.
This article identifies ten, in my opinion, primary tasks for solving the most important economic goals of any state. But, of course, there may be more of them, depending on the state of the state’s economy, on the political system of the country, on the presence or absence of certain resources and many other factors. All you have to do is understand the main thing: today in the world there are no ideal political structures of states, much less ideally constructed economic models. This is the main task of any Government, its representative bodies, if they of course want the good for their citizens, to find the right way to improve their economy in the interests of the majority of its citizens, and not a bunch of insatiable individuals.
1. Expand the meaning of the concept.
^ Civil society -
2. Using the textbook text, formulate the main goals of civil society.
3. Write what differences exist between formal and informal organizations.
Select examples of formal and informal organizations from the list below and write their numbers in the appropriate lines.
Examples: 1) trade union of metallurgists; 2) neighborhood football team; 3) Association of Russian University Teachers; 4) childbirth preparation club; 5) association of neighbors at the entrance; 6) non-governmental center for children's creativity; 7) dacha cooperative; 8) homeowners association; 9) democratic political party; 10) non-state pension fund; 11) Union of Entrepreneurs of Russia; 12) a fund to help children who find themselves in difficult life situations; 13) organization of war veterans; 14) city union of composers.
Formal:
Informal:
4. Students from one of the Russian universities discussed what civil society is. Read the opinions expressed and comment on them. Answer the questions and complete the tasks.
“Civil society is a society where a person is the highest value, his rights are recognized, respected and protected.” Do you share this opinion? Give reasons for your position.
“For me, civil society is, first of all, a society in which everyone is responsible for their actions themselves, without shifting their responsibility to anyone else.
I also believe that the presence of civil society is determined by the existence of the so-called middle class. I would like to add that the middle class is not only material well-being, but also a certain spiritual level.”
How do you understand the connection between citizen responsibility and the functioning of civil society?
Why should members of civil society be involved in current events, even if they do not affect the personal interests of citizens?
How is the existence of the middle class related to civil society?
“In my understanding, in civil society a legal connection between a person and the state has been established, the state protects the citizen, and he, using his rights, in turn, fulfills certain duties, which consist mainly of observing the laws.”
Using all the opinions given, draw a conclusion about what civil society is.
5. In 2007, one of the public opinion research foundations conducted a survey among Russian citizens on the topic: “Is there a civil society in Russia?”
The survey results are presented in chart form. Read them, complete the tasks and answer the questions.
I find it difficult to answer
25%
| 33 | No |
| 25 | Eat |
| 42 | I find it difficult to answer |
Formulate the results of the survey:
Citizens who denied the existence of civil society in Russia gave the following arguments: a) people are divided, everyone cares only about themselves; b) there is no national idea; c) poverty, people live poorly, there is no care for people; d) there is no law and order in the country; e) human rights are not respected; f) social stratification is great.
Which of these arguments really apply to civil society? Please enter letters only.
Briefly explain your choice.
Citizens who recognized the existence of civil society in Russia gave the following arguments: a) in Russia there are laws, law and order are observed; b) there are people - there is civil society, it exists in any country; c) we have democracy in our country; d) we have patriotism, social cohesion.
Which of the arguments are not relevant to civil society?
Briefly explain your choice.
Suggest why a significant number of citizens surveyed found it difficult to answer.
How would you answer this question from sociologists if you took part in a survey? Why?
6. Read extracts from the text of the Federal Law “On the General Principles of the Organization of Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation”, answer the questions and complete the tasks.
Chapter 5. Forms of direct implementation of local self-government by the population and participation of the population V local government.
Article 27. Territorial public self-government.
1. Territorial public self-government means the self-organization of citizens at their place of residence in part of the territory of the settlement for the independent and under their own responsibility to implement their own initiatives on issues of local importance.
The boundaries of the territory in which territorial public self-government is exercised are established by the representative body of the settlement at the proposal of the population living in this territory.
Territorial public self-government is carried out in settlements directly by the population through meetings and conferences of citizens, as well as through the creation of territorial public self-government bodies.
Territorial public self-government can be exercised within the following areas of residence of citizens: the entrance of an apartment building; multi-apartment residential building; group of residential buildings; residential neighborhood; rural settlement that is not a settlement; other areas of residence of citizens.<...>
A citizens' conference on the organization and implementation of territorial public self-government is considered competent if at least two-thirds of the delegates elected at citizens' meetings, representing at least half of the residents of the relevant territory who have reached the age of sixteen, take part in it.<.>
8. Bodies of territorial public self-government:
represent the interests of the population living in the relevant territory;
ensure the execution of decisions made at meetings and conferences of citizens;
can carry out economic activities for the improvement of the territory, other economic activities aimed at meeting the social and everyday needs of citizens living in the relevant territory, both at the expense of the funds of these citizens, and on the basis of an agreement between the bodies of territorial public self-government and local governments using funds local budget;
has the right to submit to local government bodies draft municipal legal acts that are subject to mandatory consideration by these bodies and local government officials whose competence includes the adoption of these acts.
Make a plan for the text.
What does the law call territorial local self-government?
Where, according to the law, is territorial local self-government exercised?
What methods of implementing territorial local self-government are provided for by law?
Fill out the table about the areas of activity of territorial local government, based on the contents of the document.
6) Draw a conclusion about the role of territorial local governments in the development of civil society.
Topic 6. Citizen participation in political life
1. How can a citizen exercise his right to participate in the management of state affairs?
2. Using the text from the textbook, explain the basic principles of suffrage in a democratic society.
Universal suffrage -
Equal suffrage -
Direct elections -
3. Explain the difference between government elections and referendums.
4. Read the results of sociological surveys and complete the tasks.
1) Citizens answered the question: “The results of which elections most influence your life and the state of affairs in the country?” The survey results are presented in table form. Read them carefully, complete the tasks and answer the questions.
| ^ Answer options | Influence (% of respondents) |
|
| for my life | for the life of the country |
|
| Presidential elections | 23 | 54 |
| Parliamentary elections (elections to the State Duma) | 4 | 11 |
| Elections to regional legislative assemblies | 5 | 3 |
| Local government elections | 27 | 10 |
| They have no effect | 20 | 12 |
| Everyone influences | 7 | 3 |
| I find it difficult to answer | 14 | 7 |
Which elections, according to the citizens surveyed, have the greatest impact on their lives? Explain why.
Which elections, according to the citizens surveyed, most influence the life of the country? Explain why.
How do citizens’ assessments of the impact of any elections on their lives and the life of the country differ?
Is it right to conclude that a significant portion of citizens do not see the impact of elections on their lives and the life of the country? Support your answer using survey data.
2) In many cases, citizens are dissatisfied with the politicians they voted for in elections. Citizens answered the question: “Who should be blamed for this in the first place?”
The survey results are presented in chart form. Read them carefully and complete the tasks. 
Guess what explains the opinion of the citizens surveyed.
5. Read extracts from the text of the Federal Law “On the Referendum of the Russian Federation”, answer the questions and complete the tasks.
A referendum, along with free elections, is the highest direct expression of the power of the people. The state guarantees the free expression of will of citizens of the Russian Federation at the referendum of the Russian Federation, the protection of democratic principles and legal norms that determine the right of citizens to participate in a referendum. A referendum of the Russian Federation cannot be used for the purpose of making decisions that contradict the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as for the purpose of restricting, canceling or belittling the generally recognized rights and freedoms of man and citizen, constitutional guarantees for the implementation of such rights and freedoms.
^ Chapter 1. General provisions
Article 1. Referendum of the Russian Federation
Article 2. Principles of holding a referendum
The referendum is held on the basis of universal, equal, direct and free expression of the will of citizens of the Russian Federation by secret ballot.
Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to participate in a referendum regardless of gender, race, nationality, language, origin, property and official status, place of residence, attitude to religion, beliefs, membership in public associations, as well as other circumstances.
Citizens of the Russian Federation participate in the referendum on an equal basis. Each referendum participant has an equal number of votes.
A citizen of the Russian Federation votes for or against the issue(s) submitted to the referendum directly.
Participation of a citizen of the Russian Federation (hereinafter also referred to as a citizen) in a referendum is free and voluntary. No one has the right to influence a citizen in order to force him to participate or not to participate in a referendum, to put forward an initiative to hold a referendum, to prepare and conduct a referendum, or to interfere with his free expression of will.
Voting in a referendum (hereinafter referred to as voting) is secret, excluding the possibility of any control over the expression of the will of a citizen of the Russian Federation, including monitoring the filling out of a referendum ballot by a referendum participant at the place for secret voting.
How do you understand the phrase “a referendum... is the highest direct expression of the power of the people”?
What issues, according to the law, cannot be submitted to a referendum?
How does the law protect the equality of citizens during a referendum?
What does the norm prescribed in paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the law mean?
Why was citizen participation in the referendum declared voluntary?
6. What question or problem would you address to government authorities? Submit an appeal to government authorities on any issue that interests you.
Topic 7. Political parties and movements
1. Reveal the meaning of the concepts.
Socio-political movement -
Political Party-
2. What are the main differences between a socio-political movement and a political party?
3. Listed below are the most important functions of political parties in modern society. Provide examples of the implementation of each function. Fill the table.
Before starting the tasks, remember the meaning of the concepts. Consult a dictionary if necessary.
"target"
"socialization"
"mobilization"
"elite"
4. Read the text and complete the tasks.
Citizens of democratic states are called to the ballot box every few years to cast their votes in favor of representatives of a particular party or political movement that voters believe express their interests. If voters are close to a political ideology that advocates the preservation of the existing social order, primarily moral and legal relations embodied in the nation, religion, marriage, family, property, then they give their votes to the conservative party. Supporters of the liberal party proceed from the premise that political freedom cannot exist where the state completely controls the economy, leaving no room for private initiative; at the same time, there cannot be true economic freedom if there is no political freedom and human rights are not respected. For liberals, the decisive idea is the autonomy of the individual and its primacy in relation to society and the state.
An adherent of such values as freedom, justice, solidarity, equality, collectivism, such ideas as the socialization of property within the framework of a mixed economy, the widespread use of mechanisms of state regulation of the economy, the creation and development of a social security system, will vote for social democratic or communist parties occupying respectively, the “center-left” and “left” positions of the party-political spectrum. (Based on materials from the open Internet encyclopedia Wikipedia)
1) Fill out the table.
State the results of the survey.
Make a guess about the reasons for this result.
What problems of your locality or region could become the basis for the program of the regional branch of a political party? Create a campaign leaflet for the regional branch of this political party.
Explain the meaning of the statements.
“The party is organized public opinion” (B. Disraeli).
^ Questions for the final lesson on the chapter “POLITICS”
1. Briefly answer the questions.
1) What relations in society are regulated by politics?
9) What is the difference between elections and referendums?
10) What organization is called a political party?
2) What are the main features of political power?
3) What is called the sovereignty of a state?
4) What are the main types of political regimes?
5) What types of democracy exist? How are they different?
6) What are the most important features of the rule of law?
7) What is called civil society?
8) How can citizens participate in the political life of society?
2. Complete the tasks and answer the questions. For each question, circle the number of one correct answer.
a) The sphere of activity associated with the implementation of generally significant interests with the help of power is called
law 3) economics
politics 4) sovereignty
b) Are the following statements about the separation of powers true?
A. The principle of separation of powers presupposes the dominance of the legislative branch over the executive branch.
B. The principle of separation of powers is mandatory for a democratic state.
only A is correct
only B is correct
both judgments are correct
both judgments are wrong
c) What distinguishes the state from other political organizations?
exclusive right to make laws
determining the prospects for the development of society
development of political programs
nomination of political leaders
d) What characterizes a democratic regime?
command-administrative methods of management
comprehensive state control over the life of society
executive dominance
equality of citizens before the law
e) Are the following judgments about the referendum correct?
A. The referendum is aimed at free expression of the will of citizens on the most important issues for the entire society.
B. A referendum, like elections, involves voting for candidates or parties.
only A is correct
only B is correct
both judgments are correct
both judgments are wrong
3. For each task, write down the correct answer.
A) The following list shows the similarities and differences between absolute and constitutional monarchies. Select and write down the serial numbers of similarities in the first column of the table, and the numbers of differences in the second column.
legislative power is concentrated in the hands of the monarch
sole head of state
hereditary succession of power
government responsibility to parliament
b) Find in the list below the features characteristic of a parliamentary republic and circle the numbers under which they are indicated.
1) The President is elected by popular vote; 2) the government is formed by the party that wins the elections; 3) the president is not given the right to dissolve parliament; 4) the president is the head of state and executive power; 5) the government is responsible to parliament; 6) there is a post of prime minister. Write the circled numbers in ascending order.
C) Establish a correspondence between the characteristics and forms of government: for each position given in the first column, select the corresponding position from the second column.
^ Signs of the Form of State
devices
1) unified structure of the state A) unitary state
Throughout the country B) federal state
There are two levels of government
bicameral structure of parliament
administrative-territorial entity
association of entities with relative
Write down the selected letters under the corresponding numbers in the table.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
d) Below are a number of provisions. All of them, with the exception of one, relate to the internal functions of the state. 1) Protection of law and order; 2) formation of the state budget; 3) ensuring state sovereignty; 4) development of international cooperation; 5) implementation of social policy.
Find and write down the number of the position that falls outside this series.
4. The science fiction writer’s novel describes the following situation: “The television screen worked not only for reception, but also for transmission. He caught every word, if it was spoken in a not too quiet whisper; Moreover, as long as Winston remained in the field of view of the cloudy plate, he was not only heard, but also seen. Of course, no one knew whether he was being watched at that moment or not. How often and on what schedule the thought police connect to your cable - one can only guess about this. It is possible that they were watching everyone - around the clock.”
What political regime does this situation correspond to?
5. In state Z, the president is the head of state, powers in the exercise of executive power are divided between the president and the government. The government is formed by the president from representatives of the party that wins the parliamentary elections with a vote of confidence from parliament.
What is the form of government of state Z?
6. Read extracts from the text of the Federal Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”, answer the questions and complete the task.
Chapter I. General provisions
Article 9. Citizenship of children
2. To acquire or terminate citizenship of the Russian Federation by a child aged fourteen to eighteen years, his consent is required.
The citizenship of the Russian Federation of a child cannot be terminated if, as a result of termination of citizenship of the Russian Federation, he becomes a stateless person.
The citizenship of a child does not change when the citizenship of his parents who are deprived of parental rights changes. In the event of a change in the citizenship of a child, the consent of his parents who have been deprived of parental rights is not required.
Article 14. Admission to citizenship of the Russian Federation in a simplified manner
6. Citizenship of the Russian Federation is granted in a simplified manner... a child and an incapacitated person who is a foreign citizen or stateless person:
A) a child, one of whose parents has citizenship of the Russian Federation - upon the application of this parent and with the consent of the other parent for the child to acquire citizenship of the Russian Federation. Such consent is not required if the child lives on the territory of the Russian Federation;
B) a child whose only parent has citizenship of the Russian Federation - at the request of this parent;
C) a child or an incapacitated person over whom guardianship or trusteeship has been established - at the request of a guardian or trustee who has citizenship of the Russian Federation.
1) What conditions determine the citizenship of children?
2) Can we say that when deciding on the citizenship of children, Russian legislation strives to take into account the interests of the child as much as possible? Give reasons for your point of view.
3) A citizen of the Russian Federation married a citizen of Spain, and they had children in Russia. A few years later, the couple divorced, the father left for his homeland. The mother and children remained in Russia. Children are considered citizens of which state? Underline the corresponding article in the text.
7. Citizens interviewed at the exit from one of the polling stations motivated their participation in the elections as follows:
Every citizen must participate in elections.
It is necessary to participate in elections to change the situation in your region and country for the better.
If I do not participate in the elections, my vote may be used to rig the results.
I always participate in elections.
By voting, I can express my protest against the policies of the authorities.
You need to participate in elections, otherwise there will be no democracy.
As a result of the elections, new people will come to power.
All my relatives and friends are participating in the elections.
By participating in elections, I can help a candidate I like, a party close in views.
Which of the given arguments for participating in elections do you consider the most serious? Why?
8. Participants in a television talk show discussed the problem of “Youth and Politics.” The main dispute flared up when discussing the question of whether young people under twenty-five should actively participate in the political life of the country and in the exercise of political power.
Opponents of the active participation of young people in politics expressed the following considerations: “They are still young, not ripe for such a thing, have no life experience”; “politics is a matter for older people”; “unconscious, cannot make independent decisions”; “young people have a strong herd instinct, and they can be easily controlled”; “they don’t understand politics yet”; “young people have a bad outlook on life, they want to have everything at once, but do nothing for it”; “they don’t care about anything, they have only entertainment on their mind”; “Young people should go to school, what is the policy?”; “let them get down to business, we already have enough talkers”; “you need to work, not engage in politics”; “What good are they? they won’t be given freedom of action anyway”; “adults behave incorrectly in politics, and young people are even more exposed to extremism”; “Politics should be handled by professionals, the participation of young people is civic engagement.”
Formulate the main arguments of opponents of active youth participation in politics and provide counterarguments. Fill the table.
Conclude whether young people should actively participate in the exercise of political power.
^ CHAPTER II. RIGHT
