13. How do you understand “civil society”?

Civil society is the "aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens". Civil society includes the family and the private sphere, referred to as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business. By other authors, "civil society" is used in the sense of 1) the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens or 2) individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of the government.

14. What are the main elements of conservatism? Explain each of them.

1.) All people are endowed by their Creator with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We fought a war to regain these rights from our old government, and we created the Constitution to keep our new government from ever taking them away again.

2.) Limited government is a necessary evil required to maintain a civil society. Excessive government is an unnecessary evil that undermines the liberty intrinsic to human dignity.

3.) Equal justice under equal laws must exist for a society to remain unified. Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason. The law does not exist to serve only the aggrieved and making it do so divides the people under it.

4.) Solutions are best when they are established voluntarily and locally. The federal government is the antithesis of that, as it is coercive and distant.

5.) Life is a series of tradeoffs. Doing one thing will come at the expense of doing something else.

6.) An individual is more likely than bureaucrats to know what is in his own self-interest.

7.) Policies are as useful as the incentives they create, not the good intentions with which they were created.

15. What are the main features of democratic political system? Explain each of them

Majority Rule– the system of government is based on parliamentry majorities

Representative Elections-the people are allowed to elect represtatives to speak for their views and interests.

Multi party system-voters have the opportunity to choose from a variety of political parties, represting a wide range of political opinion.

Freedom of speech-no restriction is placed on the right to opinions and express then openly.

Freedom of association-no restriction is placed on people organising political parties to take part in democratic life.

Freedom of Assembly-no restriction is placed on the right to hold meetings or organise demonstrations provided those do not violate  the rights of others.

Respect the individual rights-the state protects individuals whose rights are threatened by the actions of others.

Respect for Minority rights-minorities should not have their basic rights violated by the majority.

Respect for the Law-citizens who are given democratic rights should obey the laws that provide these rights.

Respect for Democratic Procedures-individuals or groups who have grievances against the system should operate within it, seeking to change the law through legal means.

Channels of Influence-individuals and groups have channels of access to decision makers at every level..