Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Preview

• Focusing on the Issue

• The United Kingdom and South Africa

• Exploring the Issue

• Democracy in the UK

• Democracy in South Africa

• Investigating the Issue Document 1

Case Study 1

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Preview, continued

• Investigating the Issue Document 2

• Investigating the Issue Document 3

• Investigating the Issue Document 4

Case Study 1

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Focusing on the Issue

• What challenges do old and new democracies face in promoting civic participation?

Civic Participation The United Kingdom and South Africa

Case Study 1

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1 The United Kingdom and South Africa

• 2005 survey, “Voice of the People”

– Two-thirds of respondents in 68 countries generally satisfied with democracy; only one-third said their own countries ruled by will of the people

– Citizens respect idea, but don’t feel it is a reality

• Participation in democratic institutions has declined, with lower voter turnout

• Range of political activities used to influence government

– Contacting elected officials, staging protests, building coalitions to have louder voice

– Fair elections, honest government, a lively opposition, and free speech keep citizens engaged

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1 The United Kingdom and South Africa

• Participation extends beyond politics

– NGOs have strong role in many issues

– Crucial support from local charities and other volunteer organizations

• Two democratic countries

– United Kingdom—a century of democracy

– South Africa began democratic rule in 1994; first-ever multiethnic elections held

– Both countries undergoing political changes

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

• Young democracy

• High voter turnout at first

• Dropped off with succeeding elections

• Struggling to create trustworthy institutions

• Informal organizations route to participation

South Africa

• Stable Society

• Respect for long-established laws and democratic institutions

• Healthy culture of civic volunteerism

• Recent years declining level of voter turnout

United Kingdom

Exploring the Issue

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Traditions

• 700 years of parliamentary traditions

• Slow to change politically

• Twentieth century full voting rights extended to all adult citizens

Devolution

• Key reform—devolution—redistribution of power from central government to local governments

• Wales and Scotland gained authority in the 1990s

• Major areas of power remain in the hands of the central government

Labour Government

• 1997 Labour government began reform of democratic institutions

• Efforts a response to declining voter participation

• Turnout freefall triggered national debate about public’s loss of interest

Democracy in the UK

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Optimistic

• 2005 survey showed South Africans topping the charts for optimism

• High voter turnout for Mandela in 1994; less impressive for later elections

• Ruling African National Congress main beneficiary of voter participation

Civic Commitment

• Soaring membership in informal institutions, such as anti-crime and women’s organizations and trade unions

• Offer flexible, creative options for solving problems in society

African National Congress

• ANC majorities rise with each of the three national elections

• Voters reward the party for role in anti-apartheid struggle

• With no opposition party, ANC troubled by corruption and inefficiency

Democracy in South Africa

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Democracy in the United Kingdom and South Africa presents strong comparisons and contrasts.

Investigating the Issue Document 1S

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Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1 Investigating the Issue Document 1

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Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Analyzing Document 1

Describe the changes in voter turnout in the two countries during the time period shown here.

Compare and contrast the two countries’ turnout results. Which country experienced the sharpest

decline?

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1 Investigating the Issue Document 2

1994 1997 2004

SSOUTHOUTH A AFRICANFRICAN N NATIONALATIONAL E ELECTIONSLECTIONS, 1994-2004, 1994-2004

African National Congress

National Party

Inkatha Freedom Party

Election ResultsElection Resultsby provinceby province

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Analyzing Document 2

What political change does this series of maps show? What are some possible consequences of

this change?

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Government Study

• 2006, British government released results; published in March 4 issue of The Economist

• Real problem not with political system; changes in society are real cause

Group Two

• Casualties of de-industrialization who suffer from persistent poverty and social exclusion

• Feel bullied and let down by the institutions they rely on

Group One

• Relatively well-educated, well-informed young individuals

• Expect to make own decisions and buy what they want when they want

• Free of geographic, institutional, or social bonds

Constitutional Reform

• One group cynical about political leaders, wanting voting to be like shopping; other not part of system

• Will constitutional reform make a difference to these groups?

• Still worth doing, but to what end

Investigating the Issue Document 3

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Analyzing Document 3

What two groups does the report describe?

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Concerns

• Areas need to be monitored

• Democracy is stable and performing

• Avoiding the pitfalls of permanent party dominance, slow erosion of democratic freedoms

• Will be celebrating the second ten years of democracy

Decline in Voter Turnout

• Reasons debated; one writer hopeful the trend signals normalizing of politics in South Africa

• Major worries of potential apathy rather than electoral violence

• Politics becoming routine, signaling institutionalization of democracy

Investigating the Issue Document 4

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 1

Analyzing Document 4

Why does this writer think dropping voter turnout signals a “normalizing” of South African politics? What does she believe needs to be monitored if democracy in South Africa is to grow stronger?