Chapter 3: Democracy

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Chapter 3: Democracy

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democracy

Democracy

Last time I learned...

• I can list the key principles of a rule of law and explain why they are important.

• I can explain how the different key principles function together.

• I can argue whether Dutch society can be considered to abide by the rule of law by applying these key principles.

Learning goals

• I can describe different perspectives on the social contract 

• I can explain what democracy is and how the Dutch electoral system works

• I can explain the functions of political parties and other political actors

• I can distinguish between different types of democracy

• I can explain the different challenges democracy faces

3.1: The need for government

Learning goals

• I can describe different perspectives on the social contract and give contem-

porary examples of each perspective in Dutch society;

• I can explain the dilemma of collective action and the role government plays

in solving it, and give contemporary examples of this dilemma in Dutch

society;

• I can explain why legitimacy is important for a government to function and how democracy can be used to increase a government’s legitimacy.

Social contract

A theoretical agreement between people to abide by a certain set of rules within society that are enforced by a government.

State of nature

A hypothetical scenario where humans live in a society where there has never been a government or laws that regulate their behaviour.

How do you think the state of nature would look like?

How do you think the state of nature would look like?

State of nature

Hobbes: humans would be fighting and killing each other all the thime

Locke: people are entitled to the natural rights life, liberty and proporty

Rousseau: people are good, peaceful and pure

Social contract

Hobbes: state is a necessary evil that will provide safety and security for all

Locke: governement is neutral arbiter to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner

Rousseau: governement can used their power to further the general will

Link the following examples to the right philosopher

Hobbes

Locke

Rousseau

AIVD

The Dutch legal system

The building of dikes

Collective action

 A cooperative effort by members

of a group or society to

achieve a common goal that is

considered worth pursuing for

society as a whole.

Can you think of a collective action?

Can you think of a

collective action?

Free rider

Actors that do not participate in collective action, but still benefit from its realisation.

How can you see the dilemma of collective action in your own life?

How can you see the dilemma of collective action in your own life?

Authority

A situation in which

the power of an actor, group or

state is accepted as legitimate

by the people it has power

over.

"a government of the people, by the people and for the people" What do you think this means?

"A government of the people, by the people and for the people"

What do you think this means?

3.2: Power to the people

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The voting age should be lowered to 16

1

Agree

2

Disagree

The voting age should be lowered to 16

Learning goals

•  I can explain what democracy is and summarise the requirements of
  

democratic rule;

• I can explain the Dutch electoral system and contrast it with other systems;

• I can explain how citizens’ wishes and demands are turned into laws and policies and the role elections play in that process.

Gatekeepers

Actors that decide which wishes and demands are discussed within

the political sphere.

What is the difference between the input and the output in the easton model?

What is the difference between the input and the output in the easton model?

Democracy

1. Elected officials

2. Free, fair and frequent elections

3. Freedom of expression

4. Access to alternative sources of information

5. Associational autonomy

6. Inclusive citizenship

Why isn't North Korea a democracy and how do you call this form of government?

Why isn't North Korea a democracy and how do you call this form of government?

Universal suffrage

The right of every qualified citizen to vote (active), and run for political office( pasive).

Article 4 of the constitution says: "Every Dutch national shall have an equal right to elect the members of the general representative bodies and to stand for election as a member of those bodies ". How do you see active and passive suffrage reflected in this article?

Article 4 of the constitution says: "Every Dutch national shall have an equal right to elect the members of the general representative bodies and to stand for election as a member of those bodies ". How do you see active and passive suffrage reflected in this article?

Suze Groeneweg

• First women elected to second chamber 

• Suffragettes

• 1917: women got passive suffrage rights

• 9 august 1919: women obtained voting rights

4 year term

Balance between being able to

get things done and being able to be held accountable.

Water authorities

Municipal councils

Provincial councils

States General

European Parliament

Representive body of European Union

Councils that govern a city

National parliament

Councils that govern over a province

Maintainign water defence structures

Which system do you think is better?

Which system do you think is better and why?

Cabinet formation

1. Elections
2. Information

• Examining the options for a new coaliton

• Informateur

3. Formation

• Dividing ministerial posts

• Formateur

4. Swearing in

The last formation took a lot of time. Statement: deadlines must be introduced for the cabinet formation

1

agree

2

disagree

The last formation took a lot of time.

Statement: deadlines must be introduced for the cabinet formation

Basic philosophy

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Socrates: the just soul

• Logos (mind)

• Thymos (will)

• Eros (desire)

The just society

Layered society with 3 classes

- Lowest class: workers (desire)

- Middle class: guardians (will)

- Highest class: philosopher-kings  (mind)

What do you think of Socrates view on a democracy?

What do you think of Socrates view on a democracy?

3.3: How to make the world a better place?

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Students should have more education on politics

1

Agree

2

Disagree

Students should have more education on politics

Learning goals

• I can explain the functions of political parties and other political actors within the political sphere of the Netherlands

• I can summarise different ideological families and ideologies that exist in the Netherlands and name examples of political parties that adhere to each ideology

• I can use the three ideological axes to determine the orientation of a political party or action groups

Political actor

An individual or group that tries to influence government policy.

Political party

An organized group of people who

share similar political views and goals, and who seek to gain and exercise political power through the democratic process

Five functions

1. Participation

2. Recruitment

3. Communication

4. Articulation

5. Aggregation

Which political parties can you think of?

Which political parties

can you think of?

Other political actors

• Political youth organisations 

• Lobbyists

• Interests groups

• Action groups

• Mass media

Political party

PYO

Lobbyists

Interest group

Action group

Mass medium

Eva Jinek

Jonge Socialisten

Extinction Rebellion

Labor union FNV

FvD

alcohollobby

Ideology

A set of principles

and belief about what society is, and what it ought to be.

Liberalism

• Social liberal: individual liberty

• Neoliberalism: free-market capitalism

Which liberal party in The Netherlands do you know? And why is this party liberal?

Which liberal party in The Netherlands do you know? And why is this party liberal?

Socialism

• Democratic socialism:  against free-market capitalism

• Social-democracy: temper capital society through government intervention

SP: health care should be nationalised Why is this a form of socialism?

SP: health care should be nationalised

Why is this a form of socialism?

Confessionalism

• Christian democracy

• Fundamentalists

CDA and SGP are two christian parties. Do you know the difference between them?

CDA and SGP are two christian parties. Do you know the difference between them?

The political landscape

• Left vs. right

• Progressive vs. conservative

•  Cosmopolitan vs. nationalistic

Volt wants a united Europe. Are they more cosmopolitan or nationalistic?

Volt wants a united Europe. Are they more cosmopolitan or nationalistic?

A

cosmopolitan

B

nationalistic

C

D

VVD wants to fight crime hard. More right or left wing?

VVD wants to fight crime hard.

More right or left wing?

A

left-wing

B

right-wing

C

D

SGP believes in traditional biblical values. More conservative or progressive?

SGP believes in traditional biblical values.

More conservative or progressive?

A

conservative

B

progressive

C

D

3.4: Making democracy work

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Hansjörg Keller

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We should have a separate election for our prime minister

1

Agree

2

Disagree

We should have a separate election for our prime minister

Learning goals

• I can  distinguish between different types of democracy and assess which types characterise the Dutch democratic system

• I can explain how the dutch political system is structured and how the different levels of government interact

• I can explain the difference between general and executive governance and argue why the task of general governance is always performed by elected representatives 

Different types of democracy

• Direct vs. indirect

• Presidential vs. parliamentary

•  Electoral vs. aleotoric

What do you think are the disadvantages of referenda?

What do you think are the disadvantages of referenda?

Presidential democracy

Parliamentary democracy

Separate election president

Parliament responsible for administration

Administration operates independently

Prime Minister

What do you think of these lotteries?

What do you think of these lotteries?

Structures of government

• National government

• Provincial government 

• Municipal government

• Water authorities

Governance tasks

• General governance: broader picture, direction of the country

• Executive governance: day-to-day management

Who doesn't have the task of general governance?

Who doesn't have the task of general governance?

A

States-General

B

Municipal council

C

Administration

D

Provincial Council

Consitutional monarchy

A form of government where the head of state is a monarch, whose powers, duties and procedures are codified in the constitution.

What does our king do?

What does our king do?

States General

• Legislative branch

• Supervise the administration (governance task)

"Which right does not apply to both chambers?" "Which right does not apply to both chambers?" Which right does not apply to both chambers?

Which right does not apply to both chambers?

A

right of amendment

B

right of questioning

C

right of inquiry

D

right of budget

Can you think of a motion of no confidence in The Netherlands?

Can you think of a motion of no confidence in The Netherlands?

How a law is made

• Bill: proposal for new law

• Council of State: advise

• Second Chamber: yes, no, amendment (change)

• First Chamber: yes or no

• King + minister sign

• Publication in journal of law

Majorities

• Simple majority: half + 1

• Qualified majority: 2/3    -> amendment of consitution

The king shouldn't sign the laws anymore

1

agree

2

disagree

The king shouldn't sign the laws anymore

3.5 Democracy needs love

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A democracy could work in every country

1

Agree

2

Disagree

A democracy could work in every country

Learning goals

• I can summarise how democracy has spread across the world

• I can explain the different challenges democracy faces

• I can explain different ways in which democratic rule can be threatened

• I can emphasise the importance of their own role as a citizen within a democratic society.

History

• 19th century: democracy becomes a common  way of governing

• After World war II: the west vs.  Soviet union

• After fall soviet union: world became democratised

Do you know a country that claims to be a democracy but isn't one?

Do you know a country that claims to be a democracy but isn't one?

Challenges for democracy

1. Political involvement 

2. Administrative upscaling

3. Ineffective communication

Can you give an example of political resentment?

Can you give an example of political resentment?

Threats to democracy

• Corruption

• Misinformation

• Anti-democratic movements 

Why would corruption be a threat to democracy?

Why would corruption be a threat to democracy?

There should be a ban on anti democratic parties in The Netherlands

1

Agree

2

Disagree

There should be a ban on anti democratic parties in The Netherlands

There should be more education about the threats to democracy

1

Agree

2

Disagree

There should be more education about the threats to democracy

3.6: International politics

international politics, what do you think it is about?

International politics, what do you think it is about?

Learning goals

• I can explain the differences in the main actors in international politics, including nation-states and international organisations

• I can explain the unique features and limitations of the European union; describe the history and purpose of NATO and the UN

• I can analyse the structure and functions of NATO and the UN and what the strengths and weaknesses of these organisations are

Nation-state

A country where the people who live there share a common language, culture, and history. It is governed by a centralized government that has the power to make and enforce laws within its borders.

International organisations

A group of countries or

states that come together to cooperate and work towards a common goal.

Supranational or intergovernmental? An organisation that decides unanimous

Supranational or intergovernmental?

An organisation that decides unanimous

A

Supranational

B

Intergovernmental

C

D

History of the EU

• 1951: ECSC

• 1957: ECC

• 1992: EU

What do you see of the EU in your life?

What do you see of the EU in your life?

European commission

Council of European Union

European Parliament

Ministers of member states

Independent commisioners

elected members

NATO

Ensures the security of its members by political and military means.

Can you think of a NATO mission?

Can you think of a NATO mission?

United nations

Maintain international peace and security.

Veto right

The power of a single member or group to reject a decision or proposal made by others, effectively blocking it from being passed or implemented.

What is your opinion on veto rights?

What is your opinion on veto rights?

What did you learn this chapter?

What did you learn this chapter?

What do you think is still difficult?

What do you think is still difficult?

Learning goals

• I can describe different perspectives on the social contract
  

• I can explain what democracy is and how the Dutch electoral system works

• I can explain the functions of political parties and other political actors

• I can distinguish between different types of democracy

• I can explain the different challenges democracy faces

End of chapter 3: Democracy