PO210 UNIT 5 DISCUSSION
.docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Park University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
210
Subject
History
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by Titarico0728 on coursehero.com
S. Nasser, Instr.
PO 210
Unit 5 Discussion
1.
Given the strains facing contemporary democracy, make an
argument for which set of characteristics (
federal v. unitary,
strong v. general constitutions
) are best suited to delivering
a substantively democracy response to contemporary
political challenges?
It is arguable that federal systems with strong constitutions are better
equipped to deal with contemporary challenges to democracy. Federal
systems help to protect democracy by providing a way for different regions
or groups within a country to have a say in the country's affairs. This can
help to prevent the rise of extremist groups or parties that might otherwise
threaten democracy. Strong constitutions also help to protect democracy by
setting out clear rules and limits on the powers of the government. This can
help to prevent the abuse of power and safeguard the rights of citizens.
When it comes to handling the challenges of the twenty-first century, a
constitution can be a real asset. By providing a means of judiciously updating
and adapting governance, and by establishing a framework for the exercise
of power in order to preserve those governance structures, constitutions help
us handle the rough seas of change without going under. How much you
need your constitution may vary based on the structure of your government.
If your government is a unitary system, then you have one central body that
oversees all operations, and all governmental functions are executed through
that body alone. In this case, there is no need for a constitution—the unitary
body just needs some rules by which it operates. In contrast, if you're
operating under a federal system, then you have multiple elements of
governance working together to run things. The states that make up your
federation all have their own governments, but they also share power at the
national level through a parliamentary system that combines all state
governments into one democratic body. In this case, you will definitely want
some rules for how everything works—and here's where constitutions come
in.
Dickovick, J. T., & Eastwood, J. (2018). Comparative Politics: Integrating
Theories, Methods, and Cases (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press Academic
US.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780190086305
Links to an
external site.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help