iGCSE Global Citizenship Edexcel

Democracy, State and Sovereignty

Democracy

• Democracy is a form of government where power lies with the people; all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.
• Distinguishing features of democracy include free and fair elections, majority rule, protection of minority rights, and respect for basic human rights.
• Direct democracy involves all citizens making decisions on every issue, while representative democracy involves elected individuals making decisions on behalf of their constituents.
• Democracy relies on citizen participation, equality, political tolerance, accountability, transparency, regular free and fair elections, and economic freedom.

State

• A state typically consists of a territory, population, government and sovereignty.
• The state has the power to enact laws within its territory, and the capacity to enforce them.
• The state is responsible for maintaining law and order, providing public services, and protecting its citizens.
• States can have various forms of government such as monarchy, republic, dictatorship, or democracy.

Sovereignty

• Sovereignty refers to the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources.
• Sovereign states are able to make their own laws, regulate their own territories, control their borders, and conduct their own foreign policy.
• Sovereignty can be transferred or shared, such as in the case of joining an international organization like the European Union.
• In international law, respect for sovereignty is a cornerstone principle, but it can be challenged by issues like human rights or instances of international aggression.

The relationship between Democracy, State and Sovereignty

• In a democratic state, sovereignty is vested in the people. They exercise this through the process of voting and electing their leaders who then make decisions on their behalf.
• The state functions as the vehicle by which the democratic desires of the public are implemented.
• Sovereignty allows a democratic state to make and implement laws without external interference.
• Democracy, state, and sovereignty are strongly interconnected in the functioning of a successful country. Democracy allows citizens to voice their opinions and make decisions, the state implements and enforces these decisions, while sovereignty guarantees that the state can do so independently.