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Learning activities
Learning outcomes
Demonstrate substantive knowledge as to why political institutions do not produce policies that reflect the will of the people
Apply theories of democracy to the character and function of political institutions
Construct evidence-based arguments with respect to the factors that impact political institutions that encourage democratic practices
Clearly and persuasively communicate concepts, problems and arguments concerning ways that political institutions could produce policies that reflect the will of the people.
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Additional information
This unit is presented in two parts. Part 1: Political Institutions and Democratic Failure. This part considers some of the reasons that citizens doubt their political institutions emphasise and encourage democratic practices. The most important of these institutions concerns the ways that parliaments work. This also includes how political parties, the electoral system and media affect parliaments. Part 2. Addressing the Deficiencies: This part covers three ways that have emerged to address the challenges faced by political institutions. First, we consider the introduction of Deliberative Democracy. Deliberative Democracy begins with people being more directly involved in choosing policies. It uses referendums but requires that voters must be informed before they choose policies. The second involves the use of Social Media in developing and choosing policies. The third is to promote Citizen Journalism as a means to overcome the ways that the traditional media are taken to undermine democratic process.