Questions about MoM Political and Legal Systems

[brenna_britton]

No: HPFGUIDX 37017

Hello!

I haven't posted here before, but I've been lurking for quite a 
while. My roommate has been plagued with anxiety about the political 
and legal structure of the MoM, and she's quite frankly terrified of 
the wizarding world. I thought that you guys might have some 
insight :) It's probably easiest just to pose a series of questions, 
so here goes


Is the MoM the overarching political authority in the British 
wizarding world?
If it is, then who appoints the Minister for Magic? Do the heads of 
various departments vote for it? Who appoints the department heads? 
Are there any wizarding elections?

Does Fudge have dictatorial power? And would that mean that 
Dumbledore is willing to lead an anti-establishment revolution if 
Fudge refuses to recognize Voldemort's return?

Is the MoM affiliated somehow with the Muggle government? Or do they 
only communicate on a need-to-know basis, as with Sirius? How many 
Muggle officials know about the wizarding world, or are they all 
subjected to Memory Charms? 

And need I ask how unethical Memory Charms are? (I honestly feel very 
sorry for Mr Roberts, the campsite manager. Has anyone studied the 
long-term medical effects of repeated Obliviation?) Is there an 
ethics board of the MoM? The Dementors aren't exactly representative 
of a democratic and humane society
 There also seems to be a complete 
lack of lawyers in the wizarding world, not to mention legal aid. 
Poor Hagrid has to rely on a ( albeit very smart) 13-year old girl 
for legal help with Buckbeak, and is then forced to plead his own 
case.

And what happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? Hagrid is hauled 
of to Azkaban without any preface, Harry receives an expulsion threat 
for magic that Dobby did, and Fudge doubts Harry because of a tabloid 
article! Are there any legal assurances for citizens, say, to prevent 
Dementors from kissing innocent students? Speaking of which, 
considering that we live in a society that questions the morality of 
the death penalty, why on earth are wizards subjected to a fate 
*worse* than death: the Dementor's kiss?

These are the questions that have been haunting my roommate, as best 
as I can discern them from her anguished ranting. If anyone has any 
answers, ideas, conspiracy theories, or more questions, I'd love to 
hear them. Thanks a lot!

Brenna (and Sarah)