ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS ELECTIONS Elections are essential

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ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

ELECTIONS Elections are essential for representative democracy, as citizens can exercise their right to

ELECTIONS Elections are essential for representative democracy, as citizens can exercise their right to choose their leaders and representatives. An election is a formal process in which people vote: Ø to choose a person or a group of people for an official position or public office; Ø to accept or reject a political proposition (direct democracy through referendum). ØThere can be general or local government elections or other forms of ballot such as referendums. ØSometimes elections are used in the executive and judiciary. ØThey are also used in private and business organizations. Ø At school the election of representative bodies guarantees the democratic participation of teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and, in upper secondary schools, students, who are all involved in school policy decisions.

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ELECTIONS Ø To contribute to democratic governance by controlling those in

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ELECTIONS Ø To contribute to democratic governance by controlling those in power through periodic elections; Ø To encourage the discussion on public issues and the expression of public opinion; Ø To reinforce the stability of the political community; Ø To legitimize the exercise of public authority; Ø To confirm the dignity of citizens as human beings and to reinforce their sense of belonging.

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS An electoral system is: a set of rules for conducting elections and

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS An electoral system is: a set of rules for conducting elections and counting votes. It is a mechanism which determines the results of elections, converting the vote into a political decision.

TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEMS Plurality or Majoritarian systems : a. 'First-past-the-post' (FPTP) or simple

TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEMS Plurality or Majoritarian systems : a. 'First-past-the-post' (FPTP) or simple majority ; b. Two-Round system (Second Ballot) or absolute majority. Proportional Systems: The representative body elected reflects the different distribution of public support for each political party. Mixed Systems: They combine both plurality/majoritarian and proportional representation systems. A mixed system was used in Italy’s general election in March

CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ELECTIONS Exercising the right to vote

CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ELECTIONS Exercising the right to vote is recognized as a fundamental human right by important International treaties like : Ø the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948; Ø the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted by the UN in 1966 and entered into force from 1976). Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt

Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: Ø“Everyone has the right

Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: Ø“Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. ØEveryone has the right to equal access to public service in his country. ØThe will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. ”

The Covenant links the right of political participation through elections to freedom: - of

The Covenant links the right of political participation through elections to freedom: - of opinion and expression - of peaceful assembly and association - of movement - from discrimination - from fear and intimidation.

THE ITALIAN CONSTITUTION AND UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE Article 48 of the Italian Constitution establishes universal

THE ITALIAN CONSTITUTION AND UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE Article 48 of the Italian Constitution establishes universal suffrage. It says that all citizens, male or female, at home or abroad, who have reached their majority, have the right to vote, which is also a civic duty. also vote states is that: “It. The personal and equal, free and secret” PERSONAL: voting shall be exercised in person. EQUAL: “All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social condition”. (article 3) FREE: All citizens have the right to vote freely without fear, intimidation or threats. SECRET: It is important to vote anonymously by secret ballot.

THE CONQUEST OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN ITALY Italy achieved unity only in 1861. It

THE CONQUEST OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN ITALY Italy achieved unity only in 1861. It was still a predominantly agricultural country with a delayed development, where women were legally subordinate to men and excluded from political life. The Catholic Church played a central role in defining their position in society. Women’s emancipation movement developed thanks to feminists like: - Anna Maria Mozzoni (1837 -1920), the founder of the League for the Promotion of Women's Interests; - Anna Kuliscioff (1855 -1925), a socialist leader. Male suffrage was introduced: - in 1912 by Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti for all male citizens aged 30 and over or 21 with some prerequisites; - in 1918 for all men aged 21 and over or who had served in the army. Women’s suffrage was introduced in Italy only in 1945 and applied in 1946, first in local elections and then to choose between monarchy and republic (institutional referendum)and to elect the Constituent Assembly. Suffrage for people aged 18 was granted in 1975.

THE STRUGGLE FOR WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE Ø Women’s suffrage has been achieved at different times

THE STRUGGLE FOR WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE Ø Women’s suffrage has been achieved at different times all over the world. Ø This issue became important in the 19 th century. Ø The struggle was particularly intense in Great Britain and the United States, but the first countries to grant women’s suffrage were New Zealand (1893) Australia (1902), Finland (1906), and Norway (1913). Ø World War I speeded up the process in other countries. Ø After World War II, the number of countries increased. Ø In some places, however, women continue to be denied voting rights.

THE SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN In Great Britain, women’s suffrage was advocated by: -

THE SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN In Great Britain, women’s suffrage was advocated by: - Mary Wollstonecraft in “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” (1792); - the Chartist movement of the 1840 s; - liberal intellectuals like John Stuart Mill (1806 -1873) Ø A segment of the women’s suffrage movement became militant under the leadership of Emmeline Pankurst (1858 -1928) and her daughters. Ø Many suffragettes became involved in violent actions and hunger strikes in prison. Ø Public demonstrations were organized. Ø The outbreak of World War I stopped their militancy, because many of them supported the war effort. Ø Thanks to their nationalist work, British women over 30 obtained the right to vote in 1918, and then in 1928 women over 21 were granted voting equality with men.