1 - Democracy and Participation

Question 1

What are the 5 functions of democracy?

Answer 1

1. Participation
2. Legitimacy
3. Power dispersal
4. Representation
5. Education

Question 2

Legitimacy

Answer 2

The right to rule based on consent through an election

Question 3

Direct Democracy

Answer 3

All individuals express their own opinions, not through a representative

Question 4

Representative democracy

Answer 4

Individuals elect a person / political party to represent their political choices

Question 5

Pluralist democracy

Answer 5

Type of democracy where a government makes decision as a result of various groups and arguments from competing groups and organisations

Question 6

Democratic deficit

Answer 6

A flaw in the democratic process where decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy, not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability

Question 7

Participation crisis

Answer 7

Lack of engagement by significant amount of citizens in the political process by either not voting in general elections or not joining political parties to become a member

Question 8

Suffrage

Answer 8

Refers to the ability to vote in elections for a political party of their choice

Question 9

Think tanks

Answer 9

Body of experts brought together to collectively investigate on a focused topic, they take into account the social, economic and political implications

Question 10

Lobbyists

Answer 10

Paid by clients to try to influence government to act in the client’s own self interest, often to persuade legislation