Lessons 8 · 1 lessons · O. Karimova, N. Ismatova, Sh. Sariqov, O. Amanova (methodological editor E. Sariqov). O‘zbekiston davlati va huquqi asoslari (Foundations of the state and law of Uzbekistan), Grade 8. Huquq va Jamiyat publishers, Tashkent, 2019
8
Political regime. State bodies. The state mechanism
Textbook: pp. 40–45
GoalExplain the types of political regime, the kinds of state bodies and the concept of the state mechanism.
New words
political regime · siyosiy tartibotdemocracy · demokratiyastate body · davlat organistate mechanism · davlat mexanizmi
Explanation
A political regime is the system of methods and styles that those holding power use to govern the state. It is judged by how well human rights are ensured, by elections, the diversity of opinions and citizens’ activity. In a democratic regime the people are the source of power, citizens’ rights and freedoms are recognised, decisions are made by majority vote while respecting minority rights, power is divided, and several parties and many views exist. Democracy can be direct (referendum, assembly) or representative (elected bodies). In non-democratic regimes democratic rules are broken: historical examples are the fascist regimes (Italy 1922–1943, Germany 1933–1945) and other totalitarian regimes. A state body is a state institution with exactly defined powers under the law. They are divided into representative, executive, local executive and judicial bodies; together they form the state mechanism.
Worked examples
A referendum is an example of direct democracy: citizens vote themselves on an important question. Parliamentary elections are representative democracy: citizens elect representatives who make laws.
Examples of state bodies: the Oliy Majlis (representative), the Cabinet of Ministers (executive), a regional hokimiyat (local executive), the Supreme Court (judicial). They work in connection with each other – this is the state mechanism.
Class activity
“State mechanism diagram”: groups draw on a large sheet the four kinds of state bodies and write one body from their own area or region for each.
Practice
1
What is a political regime?
The system of methods and styles used by those in power to govern the state.
2
State five features of a democratic regime.
The people as source of power; guaranteed rights and freedoms; majority decisions with minority rights; division of power; diversity of opinions and parties; supremacy of law (any five).
3
Distinguish direct and representative democracy with an example.
Direct – citizens decide themselves (referendum); representative – bodies elected by citizens decide (parliament, local councils).
4
Why do we study all state bodies together as the “state mechanism”?
Because they form a single system: one makes law, one executes it, one judges, and each body works in connection with the others.