Separation of Powers: Models and Interpretations
The Division of Powers
The model offered by Baron de Montesquieu was clearly influenced by British constitutional practice. Its basic ideas are as follows:
- The main functions of the state, divided into legislative, executive, and judicial, are attributed to Parliament, the government, and courts of justice, respectively.
- The powers are interrelated through a system of corrective measures, vetoes, and controlling the activity of others. There is an integration of technical criteria and values. The basic
Federal President and Parliament in Germany
As for communal politics, the allocation to the districts and communities the ability to organize local affairs is enshrined in the constitution. The local authority has the same safeguard clauses which the Länder have, and the decentralization principle valid for the scope of the Länder is also applicable here.
The Federal President
The memory of the political implications of the post of Federal President for the Weimar Republic led to the Basic Law in this paper figure being varied substantially.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Federal State: Origins, Concepts, and Structure
The Federal State
Origin and Concept
The federal state first appeared with the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Until then, there were only two types of states: the unitary state and the confederacy. The federal state is an intermediate form between the two. Later, the federal model was extended to Latin American states (Mexico, Argentina, Brazil), Switzerland (1848), and Germany (1871).
Historically, the federal government can arise in two ways:
- As a result of a legal and political relationship between previously
Understanding Democracy: Principles, History, and Participation
Democracy: Principles and Organization
Democracy is a system of political organization where power resides with the people, collectively decided. To regulate the coexistence of societies, it’s necessary to adopt an organized set of principles, rules, or standards, which we call the system of political organization. Democracy also implies a form of coexistence, extending to all fields of social life, and ensures various forms of participation and institutions open to the public.
History of Democracy
In
Read MorePolitical Participation in Democratic Regimes
After the Second World War, with the exception of Spain, democratic regimes were introduced in Europe. This type of government is based on the recognition of universal suffrage and a parliament, with political activity articulated by political parties. This establishes the party as an intermediary between the population, not directly involved in political affairs, and the government of a nation. Intermediation mechanisms are defined as “forms of representation” of citizens. These forms of representation
Read MoreSpain’s 1917 Crisis: Military, Political, and Social Unrest
The Crisis of 1917 in Spain
Military Crisis
The military crisis centered around the defensa juntas. The army, a fundamental power for maintaining the monarchy, began to question the system and intervene in political life. The causes included governmental instability, a new law establishing merit-based promotions (benefiting the Moroccan Army), and low wages due to inflation.
This led to the formation of the defense juntas, associations that defended the economic and professional interests of the military.
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