The Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic:

The passage shows that Weimer Republic was a modern democratic form of government in Germany during 1933-1930. The word republic refers to things that matter to the people. Under Weimar Republic, Germany has advance from the totalitarian dictatorship and military past; German share a more humane aspect of their culture. In Weimar constitution, the structure of government is combined of nation and responsibilities. The constitution sets rules and responsibilities that govern the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial branch of government; the relationship state and federal government.

First Chapter: the Reich and the States

Article 1The German Reich is a republic.
State authority derives from the people.

This means that the German territory is a nation in which the state authority comes from the people. This means that political authority must be exercise in accordance with the constitution solely to serve and protect the people’s interest. This statement relate to human rights and dignity. Human dignity should not be violated. It is the state duty to respect and protect. German citizen acknowledge firm an absolute human rights as a basis of every community of peace and justice in the world. Everyone who exercises state power on the trust for the people of Germany must exercise that power within the bounds of lawful authority and in accordance with his or her responsibilities to the people. Similarly, the United States government derives from the people. In democracy the idea that people are the ultimate source of political authority and agent of political power is essential. Germany and USA share similar federal republic; in which authority of central government is limited by the constitution and the power is shared with the nation, province or colonies. The source of power is the people who elect the representative government. This federal constitution protects the people from oppression by preventing any division from unnecessary influence on policy.

Second Chapter: The Reichstag
Article 32To establish a decision in Reichstag, a simple majority of votes suffices, unless the constitution prescribes a different relation of votes. During Reichstag. The rules of procedure establish quorum.

To select and appoint member, government make decision base on the majority of the vote. This rule of simple majority is enough is use to regulate and guide the range of operation in the government. This will avoid prejudice and bias in constitution. When making decisions, for instant to select a president there is a vote in which the mass of the vote makes the decision. The candidate with most of the votes will be the president. The populist urged for the direct election by the people. In cases where there is no majority, the constitution suggests a different kind of vote. During German legislative period, a quorum is used; a small percentage of the members are permitted to assembly to act for the organization (as a majority). Government under the Reichstag is accountable to the voter through an election process whether it is through majority of Quorum. This is comparable to the Bill of Rights Amendment # 12. Presidential elections voted by ballot the person having the greatest number of vote will be the President. If there is no mass, three people with the highest number will be on a list for those voted for President and the house of Representative will choose by vote. This quorum with members of two third of the state and the majority of all states is necessary to a choice.

These two sections relates to each other. They both communicate a message with human right and dignity; which is relevant to our society. The German experience to democracy in which they gain opportunity to elect their government instead of the past military and despotism. It was humane Germany to allow its citizen the opportunity to select government. Citizen makes political decision in which the citizen elects representative to make political decisions as part of a legislative body. They were able to vote and their right was protected by the second section of the constitution which oversees the day to day operation of government.

Questions:

(1)       Some advantages of proportional representation are that it reduces wasted vote and it increases the tendency of minority group to have a voice in politics. To reduce wasted vote, seats are given in legislature base on the total percentage of vote won by the party. It is also fair; many opinions could be heard as each political party won a seat.

On the contrary, some disadvantages of proportional representation show representatives less responsive and less dependent on local voters; it allow Nazis to come in power despite they never gain more than 30% of the vote.

(2)       Some leading causes of the decline of the Weimar Republic result from the aftermath of world war. These include economic problems, cultural, political and institutional problems. One main cause of the collapse of the Weimar Republic is economic problems which result in inflation. The period of the Great Depression cause a hyperinflation. There was massive unemployment, a large decline in standard of living and the value of paper money in 1923 worth roughly 1 trillion for every gold mark.

(3)       Hyperinflation is when there is an extreme price increase because of the value of money decline as oppose to a foreign currency. During 1922-192, Germany experience hyperinflation as a result of economic instability; they experience rapid price increase, food shortage and huge unemployment. Inflation was very high or out of control. Depreciation of the marks in terms of foreign or gold value was uncontrollable. The exchange rate of the dollar and the German Marks was trillion to one dollar. The more price increase they increase in money supply.

(4)       The Weimar Constitution as compared to the American Constitution can be judge as similar, controversial, and distinctive in some areas. The passage shows that both are similar in basic structure in different order they outline the power and responsibilities of legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. The second section is similar to the bill of rights On the contrary, with regard to education Weimar constitution provides a right to education with specific detail what this right entails. While the U.S. constitution does not provide for a right to education. In addition, Weimar constitution is distinctive in that it creates economic right for the citizens. Finally, one controversial issue is Article 48 which gives the president the control to postpone civil freedom in times of crisis.