Democratic states - challenges and responses
The 20th century witnessed the establishment, survival,
destruction and re-emergence of democratic states. Democratic systems faced
treats to their existence from internal and external sources. In some cases the
system coped successfully, in other cases the pressures proved difficult to
withstand. The performance of democratic states in relation to such pressures-
economic, political and social- form the basis for this topic.
Please use South Africa as a base for the following research:
1) Nature and structure of democratic (multiparty) states
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Constitutions (written and unwritten)
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Electoral systems, proportional representation, coalition
governments
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Role of political parties: role of an opposition
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Role of pressure (interest/lobby) groups
2) Economic and social policies
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Employment
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Gender
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Health, education
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Social welfare
3) Political, social and economic challenges
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Political extremism
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Ethnicity, religion, gender
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Movements for that attainment of civil rights
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Inequitable distribution of wealth/resources
