Politics LC - Power and Decision-making

model of participation for young people’s involvement in decision-making processes

• student council represents the students acts a voice for their concerns

are school uniforms socially divisive or a powerful tool for social equality?

Uniforms are a tool for social equality because it promotes unity and prevents competition between social classes

Role of Ceann Comhairle in the Dail Eireann

• Calls on Members to speak and all speeches must be addressed to the chair

• Puts such questions to the House as are required, supervises Divisions and declares the results

• In the case of great disorder can suspend or adjourn the House

Describe the purpose of a manifesto in a political party

Outlines the visions, ideas and plans of a political party.

Two features of Democracy

• right to vote

• law and order

Two ways a person can become a Senator in Seanad Eireann

• 11 nominated by Taoiseach

• 6 nominated by NUI graduates

What does it mean to have a left-wing or a right-wing viewpoint?

Ideas to the left are liberal, Ideas to the left are conservative

Positives and Negatives of Seanad

Positives

• represents a range of views

Negatives

• It’s not guaranteed that the selection is based on skill

Positive and Negative of coalition governments

Positive

• represents wide range of views

Negative

• smaller parties can have disproportionate power

1 Advantage and 1 disadvantage of PRSTV

Advantage: Citizens expects TDs to represent their concerns

Disadvantage: promotes a focus on constituency loyalty rather than national policy positions

role of the seanad

• reviews bills

• proposes amendments

• can propose laws

Two Sovereign rights Ireland Gave up to join the EU

• gave up making its own trade deals

• EU laws are more powerful than Irish Laws

Party Whip system

• all elected members must vote according to the official party line

• If the TD votes against the party they will be expelled from the party

Argument against: it allows the government to ignore opposition parties

Two pieces of info about EU council

• coordinates the national policies of member states

• shares power with the Parliament to approve or reject the EU’s budget

What does the EU Parliament do?

• passes the laws in partnership with the Council

• has the power to influence how the EU’s budget is spent

PRSTV vs First Past the Post

PRSTV

• Vote by preference

• smaller parties have a better chance

FPTP

• Voters choose one candidate

• Favours larger parties

Statutory Body

A body set up by the law to implement certain legislation

Describe the formation of an executive in a non-democratic country

Saudi Arabia - Monarchy

The king is chosen from the Al Saud family

power is passed through hereditary succession

Briefly explain the function of the Oireachtas Committee System in Irish parliamentary politics.

• Scrutinize legislation before it becomes law

• Hold the government accountable through inquiries and hearings

• Gather expert and public input on policy issues

Critique the use of cartoons as a tool of political speech

Strengths:

• Simple & impactful:

• Accessible:

Weaknesses:

• Oversimplification:

• Bias & manipulation:

Critique the value of opinion polls

Value:

• Snapshot of public opinion

• Influence on policy and campaigns:

Problems:

• Inaccuracy:

• Bandwagon effect

What is the function of the European Court of Justice

• Interpret EU law when national courts ask for clarification (preliminary rulings)

• Settle disputes between EU institutions, member states, or companies

• Enforce EU law by taking action against countries that fail to comply

Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of citizen journalism in modern democracy

Advantage: Increases public participation and gives citizens a voice

Disadvantage: Lack of fact-checking can lead to misinformation and bias