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Politics
Part 1 – Reading & Definitions
Text 1
Trump role for son-in-law Jared Kushner needs review, Democrats say
News story by BBC
Democrats have called for US President-elect Donald Trump's naming of his son-inlaw as a top adviser to be reviewed over concerns of nepotism and conflict of interest.
A group wants the Justice Department and Office of Government Ethics to scrutinise
"legal issues" related to the appointment of Jared Kushner, 36. His lawyer says the post
does not breach anti-nepotism laws. Mr Kushner is married to Mr Trump's daughter
Ivanka. The millionaire will step down as boss of his family's real estate business and
publisher of the New York Observer newspaper in order to comply with ethics laws, his
lawyer Jamie Gorelick said. The influential Trump adviser will also divest "substantial
assets", she said.
Mr Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president on 20 January. Several of his
cabinet picks have business interests that will be scrutinised at confirmation hearings
taking place this week. Mr Trump's pick for attorney general, Alabama Senator Jeff
Sessions, is first to face Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday. He was turned down
for a federal judgeship in 1986 because of alleged racist remarks. Unlike cabinet
positions, advisers are considered part of White House staff and do not require approval
from Congress.
Who is Jared Kushner?
Softly-spoken and usually camera-shy,
Mr Kushner is a vastly wealthy
property developer and publisher who
played an influential role in Mr
Trump's presidential campaign and has
been included in key meetings with
foreign leaders during the transition
period. An Orthodox Jew whose
grandparents were Holocaust survivors,
he was raised in Livingston, New
Jersey, and went on to study sociology
at Harvard.
Figure1 Ananti-nepotismlawdoesnotbarJaredKushner
fromtakingaWhiteHousejob,hislawyersays
His father, also a property mogul, was jailed for tax evasion, illegal campaign
contributions and witness tampering in 2005 by Chris Christie - then the US attorney
for New Jersey.
Jared Kushner is said to have played a key role in the ousting of Mr Christie, by then
New Jersey governor, from Mr Trump's presidential campaign team last year.
What will Mr Kushner be doing as senior White House adviser?
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On Sunday, Mr Kushner and Mr Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon met UK
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. In his new role, he will initially focus on trade policy
and the Middle East, according to officials from the transition team.
What is the nepotism law?
The rule, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, prevents public officials
from promoting a relative "to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or
over which he exercises jurisdiction or control". It is thought to have been prompted by
JFK's appointment of brother Robert to the post of attorney general in 1960. The law
would stop a president from giving a cabinet job to a relative - but whether it applies to
non-cabinet posts like advisers is untested.
What do Democrats say?
Democrats in the US Congress have called for the Justice Department to consider
whether the appointment violates nepotism laws. In their letter, the Democratic
lawmakers, all members of the House Judiciary Committee, argue that a "strong case"
can be made that a 1967 federal anti-nepotism statute applies to staff working in the
White House, a position rejected by Mr Trump's team. They also raise questions about
how, even with significant divestment, Mr Kushner could completely avoid conflicts of
interest in his White House role. Mr Kushner's lawyer, Ms. Gorelick, said he was
committed to complying with federal ethics laws and had consulted with the Office of
Government Ethics about what steps to take. She added that he would not be paid for
the advisory role.
What about Ivanka?
Ivanka Trump will step down from executive roles at the Trump Organization as well
as her own fashion brands. But she will not be taking an official role in her father's
government and instead will focus on raising her children.
Text 1: Answer the following questions
1. Define and/or explain the meaning of the words highlighted in the text, then
create a new sentence using the same words.
2. Why is it a problem using your position to hire relatives for important positions?
3. Does nepotism exist in your country?
4. Is nepotism a problem in smaller companies too?
5. Do you have any experience with nepotism?
Text 2
The Five Most Common Political Systems Around the World
1. Democracy
We often hear the United States referred to as a democracy. Indeed, many refer to the
U.S. as a representative democracy. A democracy in a more traditional sense is a political
system that allows for each individual to participate. There are two rather popular types
of democracy:
◦ Direct Democracy: Many scholars point to Athens as an example of direct
democracy. Technically, every citizen has an equal say in the workings of
government. (The qualifications for being considered a citizen are completely
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different.) Citizens could show up at a meeting, and then directly participate in
the governing process, and the process of making laws.
◦ Representative Democracy: In a representative democracy set-up, citizens elect
representatives who actually make the law. The United States operates similarly to
this principle. Citizens elect legislators who, in turn, make laws. In the U.S., even
the president isn’t elected directly; representatives called electors make the
decision (although designated electors usually vote according to the wishes of the
citizens in their states).
Other types of democracy include versions known as deliberative democracy, in which
citizens approach decision making by considering different viewpoints and options, as
well as democratic socialism, in which citizens help make decisions or vote for policies
that are socialistic in nature. There are other types of democracy as well. The defining
characteristic is some level of citizen participation in the political system
2. Republic
In theory, a republic is a political system in which the government remains mostly subject
to those governed. Some scholars define any political system in which the citizens
legitimize the government. As such, some (including Montesquieu) consider the U.S. a
republic. Indeed, there are those that believe that any form of government that is not
based on heritage or authoritarian governance. In some cases, a representative democracy
(or any form of democracy) might be considered a republic. Some of the types of
republics that you might see include:
◦ Crowned (a constitutional monarchy might be considered a crowned republic)
◦ Single Party
◦ Capitalist
◦ Federal (the United States is often referred to as a federal republic)
◦ Parliamentary
The main characteristic of a republic is that the government is subject to the people, and
leaders can be recalled. Some even make the argument that an oligarchy, which is rule by
a few citizens, or a group of citizens, is a form of republic, since the government is
subject to some of the wishes of some of the governed.
3. Monarchy
When most of us think of a monarchy, we think of the political systems of medieval
European countries. In a monarchy, a ruler is not usually chosen by the voice of the
people or their representatives. Often a monarch is the head of state until he or she
abdicates or until death. In many cases a monarch is the final word in government. There
may be functionaries to make decisions and run the political system, but the monarch has
discretion with the laws, and how they are enforced.
However, as with other political systems, there are different types of monarchies. The
type that many of us think of as common is the absolute monarchy, in which the
monarch truly has the ultimate say in matters of government. However, most monarchies
in political systems today do not follow this method. Many of them, especially in the
developed world, have limits. Constitutional monarchies fall into this category (and are
sometimes considered republics as well). In this type of monarchy, the ruler is the head
of state, but a constitution limits the power, and others make laws. The U.K., Denmark,
Kuwait, Spain, Sweden, Tuvalu, and many more are examples of constitutional
monarchies. Other types of monarchies include duchies, grand duchies, elective
monarchy (where the monarch is actually elected), and non-sovereign monarchy.
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4. Communism
A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single,
often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social
order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. In most cases, a communist
state is based on the ideology of communism as taught by Marx and/or Lenin. However,
some argue that these political systems are not true to the ideals espoused by these
revolutionary thinkers. Sometimes communists call themselves “workers’ states” or
“socialist,” but there are very real differences in their operation. In a lot of cases, citizens
are required to do certain jobs, or have some of their life decisions — especially
concerning where they can live and what jobs they can do — decided for them.
5. Dictatorship
Another authoritarian form of government is the dictatorship. Normally, a dictator is the
main individual ruling the country. While there are lackeys and others who work for the
dictator, he or she makes most of the decisions, and usually has enforcers. In some cases,
the political system is run by a small group of people. Dictators are not restricted by
constitutions or parliaments. The governed are usually not consented in any way.
Elections held are usually affairs in which the dictator is the only candidate.
One of the more common types of dictatorship is the military dictatorship, in which a
military organization governs, running the political system. Sometimes, the military just
exerts a great deal of pressure on the government, running the country de facto. In many
cases, very few benefit from the decisions made in a dictatorship. While authoritarian
political systems have the advantage of quick decisions being made, many citizens prefer
other forms of government — those that allow them greater participation in the political
process.
Text 2: Answer the following questions
1. Discuss with your teacher the words and/or sentences that were not clear to you.
2. Which political system do you think is the worst? Why? The best? Why?
3. Name 2 countries for each of the different political systems described below
(ones that are not mentioned in the text).
4. What is the political system in your country?
5. Is the political system in your country transparent? Why?
6. How long have you had this system?
7. Do you know of other political systems not mentioned here?
Part 2 – Student Tasks
Exercise 1
Discuss or debate the questions below. Remember to support your answers!
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Is voting important? On a scale of one to ten, with ten the highest, how would
you rate the right to vote? Why/not?
Do you think voting is a right everyone should have? If no, who should be
barred from voting? Please explain.
Have you ever voted in your country's national elections before? If yes, when? If
no, why haven't you?
Have you ever voted in your country's local elections before? If yes, when? If no,
why haven't you?
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What are elections generally like in your home country?
Who is the current leader of your country? How would you describe him/her?
Who is the best remembered leader in your country's history? Why is he/she
famous?
Who is the most infamous leader in your country's history? Why was he/she
terrible?
Exercise 2
Fill in the missing words in the text below using the words in the boxes.
electorate
referendum
propaganda
opinion polls
parliament
polling stations
to vote
campaign ad
majority
policies
ballot
boxes
1
I would like _____________ for your party but I disagree with your
___________on free trade.
2
The election was thrown into chaos when two of the _____________ were
destroyed in fires and several ____________ went missing at the close of voting.
3
The opposition party won a large _______________ in the new
________________ and the government accepted defeat.
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The government lost the election because it had lost the trust of the
______________ after more than a decade in power.
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Despite being more than 5% behind in the most of the latest ______________,
we are still optimistic of winning the election next month.
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The Prime Minister was heavily criticized last month for giving the go ahead to
broadcast a _______________ which personally attacked the leader of the
opposition.
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In the UK, any constitutional changes made by the government need to be
approved in a _______________.
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_______________ is usually used most frequently during a time of war as
enemies use radio, TV and newsprint to attack each other's actions and ideology.
End of Lesson
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