1. Democracy And Participation Flashcards
What is democracy?
Where people have real influence over political decisions that will affect them and the government are accountable to the people
What is legitimacy?
The idea that the government has the right to govern, normally granted through elections implying that is has the consent of the people
What are the key features of a democracy?
- people have influence over political decision making
- government is accountable to the people
- free and fair elections
- different political beliefs/parties/associations are tolerated
- media is free and independent
- rights of citizens legally guaranteed
- legal limits to government powers (established by constitution and independent judiciary)
What is direct democracy?
where the people themselves make important political decisions
What are the key features of direct democracy (referendums)?
- people make decisions directly
- government acts on the instructions of the people
- people make decisions based on single issues
- people must be educated and engaged in the issues and process
- decisions based on majoritarian outcomes
What are the advantages of direct democracy?
- purest form of democracy
- avoids deadlock/delay in political system
- very legitimate
- decisions made by people can’t be overturned by political leaders
What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?
- can lead to ‘tyranny of the majority’ (winning majority ignores the minorities interests)
- people easily swayed by short term, emotional appeals/charismatic individuals
- issues are too complex for an ordinary person to understand
- people cannot be held accountable to themselves so could act irresponsibly
What are the 4 examples of modern day direct democracy?
- referendums
- e petitions
- consultative exercise
- leadership elections
What are e petitions?
- A petition is a formal written request sent in to Parliament by members of the public calling for some form of action by the Government
- accessed online
- needs 10k signatures to be debated in parliament
What is representative democracy?
where the people are represented by elected officials/bodies or through representative groups
What are the features of representative democracy?
- decisions made by elected bodies (parliament)
- relies on regular elections
- different groups = choice for people
- political activity organised in groups
- people vote for a programme of options
- gov must act on best interests of the nation
- gov answers to people (elections)
- public engaged and informed during election campaigns
- process demands little from people in between elections
What are the advantages of representative democracy?
- representatives have expertise and experience the public don’t have
- representatives are less likely to be swayed by emotional appeals = rational decision making
- elected representatives are accountable and should behave responsibly
What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?
- elected representatives may be more interested in party politics than in the national interest
- parties may exercise too much control over elected members
- representatives may not represent and reflect the views of their constituency
- uk electoral system is flawed = unrepresentative result
What are the similarities between representative and direct democracy?
- popular consent is important
- the people have an active role
- decisions of gov derive from the people
- actions of gov = accountable to the people
- public must be informed and engaged in political matters
- processes governed by constitutional laws and rules
What are the differences between representative and direct democracy?
- direct democracy= people make decisions, decisions made by referendum and people decide on single issues
- representative democracy = elected representatives make decisions, decisions made by government or elected assemblies and people choose between full political programmes at elections
What is pluralist democracy?
A type of democracy where a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas/contrasting arguments from competing groups/organisations.
What is democratic deficit?
A flaw in in the democratic process where decisions are made by those who lack legitimacy as they have not been appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability.
What are the main problems with uk democracy?
- The House of Lords is unelected
- in general elections, fptp, produces unrepresentative outcomes (gov does not need a majority of votes to achieve a majority of seats)
- small parties = under represented, other parties = over represented
- devolution has led to power imbalance
- lack of government accountability between elections
What are 3 reform proposals that could be introduced to encourage public participation in the uk?
- fairer electoral system
- widening the franchise to 16+ voters
- compulsory voting
How are protection of rights and liberties strengthened in the uk?
- UK signed up to European convention of human rights (ECHR)
- Supreme Court + judiciary enforce rule of law
What is the rule of law?
- no one is above the law
- all citizens treated equally under the law
How is the protection of rights and liberties weakened in the uk?
Parliament is sovereign - can remove/weaken protection of rights
How has public participation been weakened in the uk?
- election turnouts remain low
- party membership is decreasing
What are 2 reform proposals that could improve the distribution of power in the uk?
- give devolved governments further powers
- introduce more English devolution
How could Parliament be reformed to make it more democratic?
- introduce an elected second chamber (hol= unelected)
How does Parliament strengthen uk democracy?
- The hoc can hold the gov to account
How has the distribution of power already been improved in the uk?
- Devolution has spread power to national regions
How has the use of fptp in general elections weakened uk democracy?
- fptp distorts support for parties and produces an unrepresentative hoc
What is meant by participation crisis?
- a lack of engagement or participation by the public in politics
What are the 4 main ways people can participate in politics in the uk?
- voting in elections and referendums
- being a member of a political party
- being a member of a pressure/campaign group
- being involved in online political campaigns (eg signing e-petitions)
What are 4 pieces of evidence that the uk has a participation crisis?
- election turnout has remained low
- party membership has declined
- political apathy (especially among young people)
- support for 2 main parties has declined
What are 4 pieces of evidence that the uk does not have a participation crisis?
- several e petitions have had high response rates (eg for a second eu referendum in 2016 (3.8 million))
- young people more involved in pressure groups, social movements, online campaigns
- support for alternative parties has grown
- support for pressure groups has grown
What are some proposals that could be introduced to increase voter turnout and participation?
- compulsory voting
- online voting
- weekend voting
- more political education in schools
- extend franchise (to 16/17 year olds)
- reform electoral system
When was the Great Reform Act?
1832
In what 3 ways did the Great Reform Act extend the franchise?
- abolition of rotten boroughs (constituencies with very few voters that were able to elect an mp)
- redistribution of seats (more representation for growing industrial towns and cities)
- expanded electorate (voting to middle-class men owning property above a certain value)
Who was the vote given to in 1918?
Married women over 30
When was the vote given to all women?
1928
When was the voting age reduced to 18?
1969
What representation of the people act took place in 1948?
Abolishment of plural voting - one vote per person
What are the arguments that 16 and 17 years olds should be given the right to vote?
- young people are better informed about politics than ever before (school, internet, social media)
- could encourage younger people to engage with politics
- if you can serve in the army, get married, pay tax you should be able to vote
What are the arguments against 16 and 17 year olds being given the right to vote?
- too young to make rational judgements
- issues are too complex for young people to understand
- turnout amongst the young (18-24) is much lower than the rest of society
- few people in this age group pay tax
In what elections/devolved nations can 16 and 17 year olds vote?
Local and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales
What are the 5 types of pressure group?
- sectional/interest groups
- cause/promotional groups
- social movements
- insider groups
- outsider groups
Who do sectional groups represent?
A particular occupation or group in society
What is the focus of sectional groups?
Promoting the interests of their members
What are the membership requirements for members of sectional groups?
Membership is limited to people in a particular field/group in society
What is the focus of cause groups?
promoting particular ideas/issues that may not be of direct benefit to group members
What are the membership requirements for members of cause groups?
Open membership
What is a social movement?
a loosely organized effort by a large group of people to achieve a particular goal
What are insider groups?
Pressure groups that have close access to the government - may be regularly consulted by the gov/dependent on the gov in some way
What are the 2 types of insider groups?
- high profile - use of media as well as working alongside gov
- low profile - rely on discreet behind the scenes contacts rather than seeking publicity
What are outsider groups?
Not consulted/influenced by the government and their objectives may be far outside of the political mainstream
What type of pressure group is the BMA (British medical association)?
A high profile, insider and sectional group
What do the BMA (British medical association) do?
- Represent and support uk doctors and medical students
- fighting for the best terms and conditions
- campaigning on the issues impacting the medical profession.
What type of pressure group is extinction rebellion?
Outsider, social movement
What is a think tank?
A research organisation that focuses on a specific topic/area of social, political or economic policy.
What are the 2 functions of a think tank?
- research area of expertise/interest
- use findings to seek to influence government policies
How do think tanks differ from pressure groups?
- think tanks don’t engage in direct campaigns for changes to policies
- think tanks present points through research
What is the Fabian Society?
A centre left think tank focused on advancing the principles social democracy
What is the Adam Smith Institute?
A think tank focused on promoting neo liberal and free market ideas
What are lobbyists?
Lobbyists are employed by a client to try to influence the political process to the clients advantage, particularly concerning legislation
What are Corporations?
Major companies/businesses that can use their power to influence government policy
What are 5 major milestones in the development of rights in the uk?
- Magna Carta 1215
- Bill of Rights 1688
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Equality Act 2010
When was the Magna Carta signed?
1215
When was the Bill Of Rights passed in the uk?
1688
When was the Human Rights Act passed in the uk?
1998
What did the Human Rights Act 1998 do?
- brought the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law
- strengthened the protection of rights and liberties
When was the Freedom of Information Act passed in the uk?
2000
What did the Freedom of Information Act do?
- created a public “right of access” to information held by public authorities
When was the Equality Act passed in the uk?
2010
What did the Equality Act 2010 do?
- brought together various anti-discrimination laws into one single act - simplifying the law
- protects people against discrimination
What is the modern form of direct democracy?
Referendums
