Understanding Democracy, State Structure, and Governance

Democracy

A type of government where power is held by the people.

Characteristics

• Freedom: People are free to:
  • Give their opinion
  • Practice their own religion
  • Speak the language they want
• Equality: One person equals one vote; all people are equal under the law.
• Political Participation: All people can take part in politics through voting or being a representative.
• Representation: Representatives (political parties) act on behalf of the people.
• Division of Power: Essential for democratic function.

Division of Power

Legislative Power

Controlled by the parliament (e.g., Eusko Legebiltzarra). Tasks include:

• Approving and drafting laws
• Imposing taxes
• Discussing political topics

Executive Power

Controlled by the government. Tasks include:

• Directing internal and external politics
• Managing basic services (e.g., Osakidetza, Ertzaintza, Hezkuntza Publikoa)

Judicial Power

Controlled by judges. Tasks include:

• Managing the legal system
• Deciding whether laws are obeyed or broken
• Guaranteeing the rights of citizens

Political Parties

Institutions consisting of people who share the same objectives, interests, and way of thinking. They exercise political power through representatives chosen in elections.

People’s Participation

In a democracy, basic human issues are decided among all citizens:

• Direct participation: Referendums (e.g., independence, constitution, joining the EU).
• Indirect participation: Elections where people choose representatives to make decisions on their behalf (e.g., state, autonomous community, municipal council, European Parliament).

Republic

A system where the head of state is a president elected through suffrage.

Monarchy

A system where a king or queen is the head of state, usually through heredity.

• Absolutism: The monarch holds all power.
• Constitutional Monarchy: The parliament governs and the monarch does not rule directly.

Dictatorship

A system where a person or group with the same ideology holds absolute power, often obtained through a coup d'état or manipulated elections.

Structure of State

• Centralized: A single government and parliament rule the entire country (e.g., Italy, France).
• Decentralized: Includes autonomous regions (e.g., Spain) or federal states (e.g., USA).

South Africa

• Colonized by the Dutch and English in the 17th century.
• White settlers used force to take control of the land.
• Became independent in 1910, with a constitution that ensured political power for the white minority.
• The system of apartheid (meaning “apartness”) separated whites from blacks, Asians, and people of mixed race.