Political Science and International Relations

Political system of the state

Aim of lectureAim of lecture• To introduce to main characteristics of the political

system• To clarify the status of the armed forces in a

democratic state• To summarize the political attitudes towards the main

problems of armed forces building

AgendaAgenda• Democracy• Institution of democratic state• Political system• Civil and military relations in democracy• Democracy and Armed forces

DemocracyDemocracy• Democracy is a system of government ensures that (all) citizens

can participate in selecting of government• Power belongs to all citizens, and only citizens can therefore

decide who, and in what way it is supposed to do• This decision is done through voting of citizens, based on the

free and universal right of election• Conflicts in society are resolved through political negotiations

and through elected representatives of majority voting• There is a system of independent courts, which guarantees

equality before the law for all citizens

Democratical political systemDemocratical political system• Parliamentary system

– The system is based parliament, gaining legitimacy through elections by citizens

– Parliament through a vote of confidence transfer the legitimacy to government

– The government can not govern without the support of Parliament

Democratical political systemDemocratical political system• Presidential system

– The strong position of the president, who himself has gained legitimacy from the people through direct elections

– The President may also be a prime minister and appoint a government

– Parliament passes laws and controls the government that it can govern without the support of the majority of parliament, because its legitimacy is based on the position of president

Political partiesPolitical parties• All citizens may enter the political competition through

elections and seek to share governance• Citizens who want to participate in the power in the state are

members of political parties. Political parties are trying to get a share of political power

• Parties present their political programs to citizens and seek to get their votes

• Successful representatives of parliamentary political parties create parliamentary clubs

• Successful parties negotiating together in an effort to form a parliamentary majority that allows them to form a government and to approve laws

Groups of interests, civil societyGroups of interests, civil society• Interest groups representing the interests of the society and the

stay outside of the political competition• Interest groups do not seek to gain power in the election, but

try to influence the power in your area of interest• Organized interests are a natural part of a democratic society• Civil society is a network of citizens' groups that organize non-

political life in society

Political system of the Czech RepublicPolitical system of the Czech Republic• Chamber of deputies elected by proportional electoral system

gives confidence in the government• Senate Elected by majority electoral system has the function of

stabilizer and fuses• President elected directly by people – since 2013• The government appointed by the president on the basis of

voting in Parliament has executive power• Constitutional Court - judges appointed by the president, the

guarantor of the Constitution of the Czech Republic• The Constitution defines the functioning of the political system

can be changed by vote of a constitutional majority (both Houses of Parliament)

State and Armed ForcesState and Armed Forces• The Armed Forces - the best organized, trained, armed group in

the state is primarily determined by the application of state-organized violence. But it is not only, because it is part of the armed forces and the armed corps, which are in most states also the police and some other components

• In a democracy, the military can be treated as a politically neutral tool, that builds a society voluntarily to face any danger. Armed Forces are giving up part of its rights and remedies, which according to the theory of the social contract, define that the society has the right to manage and control the armed forces by tools of civil proceedings and democratic control

Civil control of AFCivil control of AFModels of civilian control and democratic control of the armed forces applied in democratic states often show relatively large differences. Still, however, there are some general features that are common to all models applicable. These include:

– A clear definition of the relationship between the armed forces, the society and its top-level authorities in the legal system of the country

– Subordination of the armed forces to the rule of law– Right of society in formulating decisions regarding the armed

forces through parliament and president elected by citizens– The primacy of civilian persons in enforcing policy decisions

expressed mostly civilian defense minister– Control of the armed forces through the free action of the

mass media

Political Science and International Relations

Political system of the state