Demoncratic+states+-+challenges+and+responses

The 20th century witnessed the establishment, survival, destruction and re-emergence of democratic states. Democratic systems faced threats to their existence from internal and external sources. In some cases the system coped successfully, in other cases the pressures proved difficult to withstand. The performance of democratic states in relation to such pressures - economic, political and social - form the basis for this topic. Major themes: Nature and structure of democratic (multiparty) states: Economic and social policies: Political, social and economic challenges: __**MATERIAL FOR DETAILED STUDY**__
 * __ HOMEWORK FOR TOPIC 2 __**
 * __Topic 2: Democractic states - challenges and responses__**
 * constitutions (written and unwritten)
 * electoral systems, proportional representation, coalition governments
 * role of political parties: role of an opposition
 * role of pressure (interest/lobby) groups
 * employment
 * gender
 * health and education
 * social welfare
 * political extremism
 * ethnicity, religion, gender
 * movements for the attainment of civil rights
 * inequitable distribution of wealth/resources
 * Africa: South Africa 1991-2000
 * Americas: United States 1953-1973, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon