The Wizarding World and Politics

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 126307


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "someoneofsomeplace" 
<someoneofsomeplace at y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Not sure if this has been discussed before, but what do fellow 
> listees make of the political system in the Wizarding World.
> 
> Fudge is an "elected" representative of the population, but we 
don't 
> know to what extent this was a democratic process. How many 
> ministerial candidates were there? Is voting compulsory? What 
about 
> political parties in the Wizarding World?
> 
> There appears to be no discernable separation of powers OR 
enshrined 
> constitution OR independent, er... reputable, news medium. 
> Pertaining to elections, there are at least 5-6 years between 
> drinks. Just how accountable is the holder of office??
> 
> I've speculated as to the role played by international law in the 
> wizarding world. Any thoughts?
> 
> John.

a_svirn:

I guess we'll learn more about these issues in HBP, since there will 
be a new minister. I believe that the minister and probably the 
heads of the most important departments (like Law Enforcement for 
instance) are appointed by the Wizengamot. Also there is a core of 
lower and middle-level ministry functionaries who are offered 
positions of various degrees of importance according to their NEWT 
results and stay in their offices regardless of the current 
political situation. Rather like British civil servants. The most 
intriguing question though is how the Wizengamot being formed. 

a_svirn