英语国家文化与社会文化入门unit4 Politics, Class and Race.ppt

Unit 4Politics, Class and Race General Elections Why are They Important? When Do Elections Occur? Who Can Stand for Election as an MP? What Happens in an Election? (How) Why are They Important 1215 King John---the rights of citizens 1236 first used the word: Parliament 1407 King Henry IV---money grants (considered and approved by the Commons) 1689 Parliment passed the Bill of Rights (the King can never ignore Parliament) 1832 Commons by popular election p.39 The importance of general elections important in the western model of democracy. They provide opportunity for people to influence future government policies and to replace those incompetent political leaders. When Do Elections Occur The formation of the government 650 members of parliament are elected in General Elections represent 650 constituencies in the UK. The party which holds a majority of those “seats” in parliament forms the government, with its party leaders as the Prime Minister. 2. A government has been in power for 5 years. And there will be a general election every five years. longer than 5 years a) exceptions during WWI and WWII B. sooner than 5 years vote of no confidence the Prime Minister---popular Who Can Stand for Election as an MP Anyone who is eligible to vote can stand as an MP, and he only needs to make a deposit of 500 pounds. No-hopers: Monster Raving Loony Party by David Sutch (1940-1999) in 1983 Small parties like the Party of Wales Big parties: Labor, the Conservative Democratic Liberal What Happens in an Election? ELECTION electors candidates local voting station private booth electoral campaigns Electoral campaigns： advertisements in newspapers door-to-door campaigning postal delivery of leaflets party electoral broadcasts on TV. Δ expenditure Δ good policies, opponents quite aggressive and critical. newspapers TV programmes opinion polls counting The Political Parties The Labor Party ①Labor is a socialist party. (“redistributi