FEEDBACK TUTORIAL LETTER ASSIGNMENT 2 SECOND SEMESTER 2018 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE [ITP521S]

Transcription

1 ASSIGNMENT 2 SECOND SEMESTER 2018 [] 1

2 Course Name: Course Code: Department: Course Duration: SOCIAL SCIENCES ONE SEMESTER NQF Level and Credit: LEVEL 7; 15 CREDITS Moodle Enrollment Key: itp521s Marker-tutor Details: Ms Nelao. N. Puleinge Tel.: Ms Puleinge would like to use this opportunity to thank all students for submitting the assignments. The overall performance was very good. Well done dear students! The lowest score in Assignment 2 was 0% and 88 % is the highest score. The following challenges were identified during tutor-marking: Many students did not acknowledge sources consulted during research. Academic dishonesty needs to be addressed urgently! Most of the listed materials/ sources listed under the reference page are not cited anywhere in the body of an assignment. Some students did not use the American Psychological Association (APA) referencing housing style. A few assignments do not consist of an introduction, Conclusion or Reference page. 1

3 Many students did not use a variety of reading materials; excessive use of web-based sources must be stopped! Practical and relevant examples were not provided by many students; therefore general information regarding election functions and criteria was presented. The Marker tutor comment page, Assignment evaluation form are not attached by many students. ASSIGNMENT 2 THE KEY FUNCTIONS OF ELECTIONS AS PROVIDED BY HEYWOOD (2007, P.355) ARE AS FOLLOWS: Recruiting politicians Democratic countries use elections as a means to recruit politicians or representatives. The recruitment process includes nomination at the party level.for example, nominations at political party congresses where presidential candidates are nominated. Candidates to be elected are often those that have skills and talents to lead. Skills and talents may include charisma and oratorical skills. Making governments In a parliamentary democracy like ours, elections lead to formation of government, because people directly vote for the leader who will lead them. Providing representation Elections provide representation since people vote for representatives to make decisions on their behalf I parliament. Hence, citizens vote for political parties with policies they are interested in. Influencing policies Elections deter government from formulating unpopular policies. If a political party formulate bad policies while governing, the likelihood for the citizens to not to vote for it is high. 2

4 Voter education The campaigning process provides the electorate with relevant information about different political parties, their candidates as well as policies. However, the campaigning process doesn t always educate voters given that sometimes political parties and their candidates provide incomplete and distorted information. Building legitimacy Elections help a government to be recognized and accepted by citizens. Elections give citizens an opportunity to vote for who they want to lead them. Strengthening elites Elections are also used by elites to control and manipulate the masses. Elections give those in charge of the government power and neutralize political discontent. Students need to assess whether their chosen countries meet the criteria for conducting democratic elections. Had elections been conducted in compliance with the constitution which lays down basic principles for free and fair elections? Had elections been free from violence and other malpractices? Was there ample opportunity for citizens to form political parties and put forward candidates? Had there been an open and fair competition so that the electorate can be presented with many choices? Were candidate allowed to campaign freely and within the same set of rules? Was each ballot accorded an equal value, counted and reported honestly and accurately? Were the votes done by secret ballot? 3

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