306 Society and Beliefs
Politics is the process of obtaining and using power to
shape and execute the rules that govern a society. It can
involve elected politicians in a. DEMOCRACY, or the
unelected members of a ruling elite.
CAN POLITICS CHANGE SOCIETY?
Political ideas alone do not change society, but when
enough people with the same ideas form a. PARTY,
they can influence how society changes. Sometimes
the process of change can be gradual, sometimes it
comes from violent revolution, fuelled by new
political ideas. This happened in countries such as the
USA, France, and Tsarist Russia.WHY DO PEOPLE CARE ABOUT POLITICS?
Political decisions affect people’s daily lives in two very important ways. They
decide how much money the state will take from people in the form of taxes to
spend on public projects such as health care, education, or defence. Political
decisions make the laws affecting people’s lives.DOES EVERYONE HAVE A SAY?
There are two main types of government: democratic
and authoritarian. In democratic societies, adults have
a role in shaping how their country is run, by voting
in free elections for a political party. This is part of
their. CIVIL RIGHTS.Politics
1 HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON
Government in the UK is divided into three areas: Parliament, which
makes laws; the judiciary, which ensure the laws are applied fairly;
and the Cabinet and civil service (the executive) who carry out the laws.1 HEATED DEBATE
Arab-Israeli and Jewish Labour
Party politicians have an angry
exchange in the Knesset, Israel’s
parliamentary chamber. Working
out differences of opinion
through debate can provide an
alternative to violent conflict.2 INSIDE THE BUNDESTAG
In the Bundestag, or German
parliament, deputies are elected
by proportional representation.
The Bundestag moved to Berlin in
1991, following the reunification
of East and West Germany.Deputies sit in party
groups and vote
electronicallyPresident of the
chamber oversees
debatesCabinet members
run the government