Understanding the L-1 Status: Territory, Population, and Power

Understanding the L-1 Status

The institutions created to organize the life and activities of people living within the same territory are governed by certain laws:

Key Elements of a State

• Territory: Well-defined borders distinguish it from other states.
• Population: People living within the state's territory are subject to its power and laws, with corresponding rights and obligations.
• Power: The state performs several crucial functions:

Functions of the State

• Sets the laws governing social relations. In democratic countries, these laws are made in Parliament.
• Enforces laws through the judiciary.
• Maintains order within its territory and ensures external security.
• Holds exclusive competence in foreign policy (relations with other states).
• Collects taxes, provides aid, and establishes Social Security benefits.
• Directs the economy through laws governing business and the labor market.
• Administers and manages public services infrastructure.

State Administration

• The majority of public officials access their positions through competitive examinations.
• A smaller number are politicians whose roles change with political circumstances.

Power and Democracy

In non-democratic systems, power is often held by a single person who accesses it through inheritance or other non-elective means. In democratic states, citizens over 18 years old choose their leaders, reflecting that sovereignty resides in the people.

Forms of Democracy

Direct democracy involves citizens gathering in assembly or referendum to make decisions. However, it is often difficult to implement. Representative democracy is more common, where citizens elect representatives to exercise sovereignty on their behalf. These elected officials form Parliament, which develops and approves laws and elects the Prime Minister and heads of other institutions.

Elections: Essential Requirements

Elections must meet four key requirements:

• Must be free (citizens can present themselves as candidates).
• Must be plural (different options are presented to voters).
• Are made by universal suffrage (all citizens of age can participate as voters, without discrimination).
• Should be periodic (parties must submit to new elections regularly).

Political Parties

Political parties are the channels through which citizens participate in political life. They present their programs to citizens, outlining their objectives if they achieve power, and nominate candidates for elections. Citizens elect one of the policy options through their vote.

Separation of Powers

• Parliament prepares and votes on laws (legislative function) and controls the government.
• The Government determines state policy and implements it through the Administration (executive function).
• The Judiciary applies the law, judges disputes between citizens, and punishes those who do not comply with the law (judicial function).