Understanding Political Systems, the EU, and Global Development

Understanding Political Systems and the State

State: A form of political organization of a society in which we speak of a system or political regime.

Democratic State: Political power belongs to the people.

Universal Suffrage: The right to vote for women and all adult people of the world.

Constitution: A document that outlines the rights of citizens and regulates the political organization.

Division of Powers in a Democracy

It is the division of democracy by 3 points:

• Legislation: Makes the laws.
• Executive: Exercised by the government, applying the laws and political decisions.
• Justice: Judges and resolves disputes in accordance with the law.

Political Parties: An association of persons intended to represent politics in one country.

Types of Democracies and Governments

Presidential Democracy: The president is both the head of state and head of government and is elected in presidential elections.

Parliamentary Democracy: The government is formed by ministers and led by a president.

Democratic Monarchy: The post of head of state is hereditary.

Republic: The head of state is elected by citizens.

Dictatorship: A form of government in which one person has all the powers.

Centralized vs. Decentralized States

Centralized State: All functions, powers, and functions are assumed exclusively.

Decentralized State: A set of powers and institutions scattered throughout the country.

The Spanish Constitution of 1978

A fundamental law approved by the people by referendum, it includes the basic principles of the Spanish state:

General Courts: Elected by citizens every four years or less in general elections.

Congress Members: Members whose function is to approve laws and budgets.

Senate: Chamber of territorial representation that reviews and votes on draft laws.

Referendum: A procedure in which people vote on a matter of major importance for a country.

The European Union (EU)

A group of European countries that have in common a number of institutions in which they delegate some of their sovereignty.

Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community (EEC), whose objectives were the free circulation of people.

Maastricht Treaty (1992): The EU was established, setting its three pillars.

Euro: The single currency went into circulation in 2002.

Key EU Institutions and Policies

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Its main aim is to promote high-quality farm production.

European Central Bank (ECB): Lends money for the realization of transport infrastructure and environmental projects, and grants loans to small and medium enterprises.

European Parliament: Consists of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected by universal suffrage.

Council of the European Union: Ministers of the countries meet according to the subjects addressed.

European Commission: Formed by one president and commissioners, one for each member state.

Globalization and Development

Globalization: The single market where movements of persons, goods, and resources occur.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Gross domestic product per capita.

Literacy Index: The ratio of the school population. In the least developed countries, young people leave school at an early age.

Human Development Index (HDI): This indicator includes not only economic data but also other factors such as life expectancy at birth.

External Debt: Money borrowed from rich countries and international financial institutions.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Institutions that act to support the development of countries.

Sustainable Development: A model of progression that meets the objectives of economic growth.

Kyoto Protocol: Requires industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases between 2008 and 2012.