POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY

María Jesús Camposlearningfromgeography.wikispaces.com

Sources: Geography and History 3.1. Ed. Vicens Vives

Geopolitics Studies how society is organised in relation

to geographic space. Focuses on the study of states, how they

exercise their sovereignty, their relations with other states, supranational organizations, etc.

The State

The State

Territory

Defined by

borders

Population

Rights Duties

State vs Nation-State

The State has the right to power

Establishes laws

Ensures compliance with laws

Maintains order within the territory

Protects the territory from foreign threats

Collects taxes and provides public services and general infrastructure

Runs and regulates the economy

Establishes international relations with other states

The political

powers of the State

Legislative Power

Judicial Power

Executive Power

Parliaments or

Assemblies

Courts of Justice and

JudgesGovernment

The state works thanks to the administration (different organisations dedicated to different functions, such as justice, health, education, finance, public works…)

Politicians

Civil Servants

Auxiliary / Support Team

Administrative employees

Technicians

Managers

People chosen by the government

Public or State Administration

Regional Administration

Local

Administratio

n

Democracy

The people have

sovereignty (citizens vote to elect the

government):Direct

DemocracyRepresentative

Democracy

Rule of law: Constitution

Separation of powers:

- Parliament: Legislative functions

- Government: Executive functions

- Judicial courts and Judges:

Judicial functions

Freedom of expression

and different political parties.

Legislative power (Parliament)• Makes laws• Controls the executive branch• Approves general proposals• Chooses the president (depends on the country)

Executive power (The Government)• Regulates and executes laws• Establishes the government’s priorities and objectives• Rules over the country

Judicial power (The Courts and Judges)• Have judicial independence• Arbitrate in conflicts• Punish people and institutions that do not obey the law

How citizens exercise

their power

ElectionsReferendums

Free Plural

Universal suffrage Periodical

Characteristics of elections in

democratic states

Types of States

Democratic

Constitutional Monarchy

Parliamentary Republics

Non-democratic

Absolute Monarchies

Dictatorships

They can be• Liberal• Social

They can be• Centralised• Decentralised

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