1- Gannon- Democracy and Participation

Question 1

Define democracy?

What are its core principles?

Answer 1

A system of government where the people have access to independent information and are able to influence government decisions.

Its core principles are that;

1. Political participation- key decisions are made by the people.
2. Political equality- each citizen has a free and equal opportunity to influence political decisions.

Important features include;

1. peaceful transition of power
2. free, fair and regular elections
3. freedom for individuals and groups with different ideologies and beliefs

Question 2

Define direct democracy?

Answer 2

Direct democracy is a system of self government that is based on the direct, unmediated and continuous participation of citizens in the tasks of government.

Question 3

What are the key features of direct democracy?

Answer 3

1. Direct- the people make decisions themselves and don’t choose people to rule on their behalf.
2. Unmediated- there is no separate class of politicians
3. Continuous- people engage on a regular and on-going basis, ensuring all decisions are made by the people.

Question 4

Define representative democracy?

Answer 4

Representative democracy is a limited and indirect form of democracy. It operates through the ability of representatives to act on behalf of the people. These representatives can be chosen and removed, which is normally done through popular elections.

Question 5

What are the key features of a representative democracy?

Answer 5

1. Indirect- the public don’t exercise power themselves, they choose people to rule on their behalf.
2. Mediated- the people are linked to government through democratic institutions.
3. Limited- popular participation is infrequent and brief. People only vote every few years.

Question 6

Define parliamentary democracy?

Answer 6

Parlimantery democracy is a form of liberal democracy that operates through a POPULARLY ELECTED DELIBERATIVE ASSEMBLY.
Key features are;
1. Parliament is the source of political power.
2. Parliament is the main vehicle for representation
3. Government is drawn from government and is accountable.

Question 7

Define a referendum (plebiscite) ?

Answer 7

A vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. It is a simple question with a yes or no answer, and the outcome is not legally binding.

Question 8

Define citizenship?

Answer 8

A relationship between the individual and the state that grants someone with citizen status certain civil right/ liberties. It also carries certain duties and obligations.
eg. duty to obey the law or pay taxis

Question 9

Define legitimacy?

Answer 9

Legitimacy is the right of an individual or body to be recognised and have the right to exercise power. Normally given as a result of an election, where the individual or body will receive a mandate.

Question 10

Define pluralist democracy?

Answer 10

A democracy in which there is more than one centre of power.

Question 11

Define liberal democracy?

Answer 11

general democracy+

1. individual liberties are repeated and protected
2. government power is limited by the constitution/ checks and balances
3. high degree of political toleration

eg. Germany

Question 12

Define representation?

Answer 12

the act of speaking/acting on behalf of someone else

Question 13

Give 4 ways that a citizen can participate in politics?

Answer 13

1. Voting in local/ regional/ national elections or referendums.
2. Being a member of a pressure group or political party.
3. Standing for political office
4. E- petitions

Question 14

What evidence is there for declining participation?

Answer 14

1. Decreasing turnout in regional/ national elections
2. Decreasing party membership.
3. Uk citizens feel disillusioned with politics

Question 15

Give a statistic showing decreasing turnout.

Answer 15

1992 general election = 77.7%

2015 general election= 66.1%

Question 16

Give a statistic showing decreasing party membership.

Answer 16

1983= 3.8% of the electorate was a member of one of the 3 major parties (cons, lab, lib-dems)
2015= 1% of the electorate was a member of one of the 3 major parties

Question 17

Give a statistic showing disillusionment with party politics.

Answer 17

2008 survey found 82% did not feel they could trust political parties

Question 18

What evidence is there for increasing participation.

Answer 18

1. Growth in pressure group activity (number/ membership)
2. Increased participation on social media
3. Increased use of direct action

Question 19

Give a statistic showing and increase in pressure group activity.

Answer 19

There has been a 50% increase in the number of promotional (cause) pressure groups since the 1960s.

Question 20

Give a statistic showing increased participation on social media.

Answer 20

Campaign against selling of the National Forest grew significantly online. The e-petition circulated heavily on Facebook.

Question 21

Give an example showing increased use of direct action.

Answer 21

2011 = student demonstrations against the coalition's decision to raise tuition fees around the country.
2003= protest again the War in Iraq, over 1 million demonstrators

Question 22

Give 4 methods for increasing political participation.

Answer 22

1. compulsory voting
2. votes at 16
3. citizen education
4. e-democracy

Question 23

Give 3 arguments for compulsory voting.

Answer 23

1. increases turnout= increased legitimacy
2. forces people to think about politics
3. people get used to voting= cumulative effect

Question 24

Give 3 arguments against compulsory voting.

Answer 24

1. abuses people’s freedom
2. costly to enforce
3. results may be seen as artificial. voters may still be apathetic and not engage with voting.

Question 25

Give 3 arguments for votes at 16.

Answer 25

1. makes the young more politically aware/ involved
2. frequently, it is this age group who will be affected by the policy change - e.g EU REFERENDUM
3. more legitimate because a wider range of society will be represented

Question 26

Give 3 arguments against votes at 16.

Answer 26

1. 16 year olds= too young = not considered an adult in many other aspects of the law, so is not in line with other legislation - e.g cannot drink or drive or be tried as an adult
2. 16 year olds may not vote or understand the issues
3. party policy could be distorted to attract young voters

Question 27

Give a for an against argument for citizen education.

Answer 27

FOR-
improves knowledge which may correlate to interest

AGAINST-
expensive and may not provide genuine interest

Question 28

Give 3 arguments for E- democracy.

Answer 28

1. provides greater access for voters and is less affected by other factors. - e.g people are less likely to go out and vote if the weather is bad. this may increase turnout
2. promotes a more direct form of democracy
3. easy to repeat the process once the technology is in place

Question 29

Give 3 arguments against E-democracy.

Answer 29

1. venerable to fraud/ hacking
2. those who lack technical knowledge may be excluded
3. false information could circulate easily

Question 30

Give 3 ways in which the UK is democratic

Answer 30

1. Rights/ democratic features-
   Regular free elections (every 5 years- fixed term parliament act 2011), free media and civil liberties protected by the HRA
2. Democratic institutions-
   local councils (e.g. cambridge city), devolved assemblies (e.g. Holyrood) and parliament, to which the government is accountable to.
3. Political freedoms-
   pressure groups and a variety of parties are allowed to flourish even if they are not compatible to the governments agenda.

Question 31

Give 3 ways in which the UK is not democratic.

Answer 31

1. Unelected institutions-
   HOL/ monarchy as head of state
2. Voting system (FPTP) -
   Government can win on a very small majority which lacks legitimacy e.g. 2015 conservatives won with only a 12 seat majority
   e.g. 2015 = conservatives only won 36.7% of the vote, leaving 63.3% of people disappointed
3. Centralised power-
   PM prerogative powers and lack of a codified constitution (unchallenged parliamentary sovereignty) means civil liberties could be breached.

Question 32

Give 4 possible methods of improving democracy.

Answer 32

1. introducing an elected second chamber
2. Reforming the electoral system
3. Increased use of referendums
4. Devolution/ decentralisation

Question 33

How are UK citizens represented in the UK political system.

Answer 33

1. Parliament
2. House of Lords
3. Pressure groups

Question 34

What does parliament represent?

Answer 34

An MP, voted for in a general election represents

1. one of the 650 constituencies
2. party
3. overall national interest

e.g Daniel Zeichner is the current MP for cambridge and represents the labour party.

Question 35

What does the House of Lords represent?

Answer 35

Appointed peers of the HOL represent

1. overall national interest
2. Specific sectors of society/ prominent causes, normally to do with their area of expertise.

e.g Alan Sugar represents business and enterprise

Question 36

What do pressure groups represent?

Answer 36

1. interests (e.g. NUT represents teachers)

2. specific causes e.g save our national forests

Question 37

What are the 3 theories of representation?

Answer 37

1. Burkean- representatives own judgement
2. Delegation- carefully follow views of constituents
3. Party representation- support and vote for the known policies of the party.

Question 38

Give 4 advantages of representative democracy.

Answer 38

1. Representatives are often well educated and can also educate the public.
   e. g. Conservative MP Heidi Allen has 18 years business experience in a variety of industries and a degree in Astrophysics.
2. Representatives can be made accountable, while the population as a whole cannot.
   e. g. Lib-Dems went from having 57 seats in 2010 to 8 in 2015 as Nick Clegg compromised heavily in the coalition.
3. Most people do not have the time and the population is too big for direct democracy to be effective.
4. Representatives can AGGREGATE demands.
   They can convert incoherent demands into coherent political programmes.
   e.g political parties aim to balance the needs of cutting the deficit while trying not to cut too many services.

Question 39

Give 4 disadvantages of representative democracy.

Answer 39

1. Difficult to make representatives accountable in between elections. 5 years is a long time.
2. Views of constituents may be overridden by the party line or the representatives desire to acquire political advantage/ representatives can lose touch w/ constituents.
3. Representative democracy is only fair if elections are fair

Question 40

Give 3 advantages of direct democracy/ referendums.

Answer 40

1. Legitimacy- important decisions strengthened by the will of the people. e.g. 1997- creation of a Scottish Parliament
2. Positive citizenship- direct democracy improves engagement in politics which makes citizens feel more responsible
3. Tie breaker- when a government is divided, referendums can solve the conflict. e.g. AV referendum 2011

Question 41

Give 3 disadvantages of direct democracy/ referendums.

Answer 41

1. Issues may be too complicated for the average person to understand
   e. g British membership of the European single currency
2. Referendums and direct democracy may result in ‘tyranny of the majority’ and therefore the oppression of minorities.
   e. g 2008= vote in california outlawing civil partnerships
3. Referendums with low turnout lack legitimacy
   e. g 1998 = 38% turnout for whether or not London should have an elected mayor.

Question 42

Give 3 arguments for introducing an elected second chamber.

Answer 42

1. Legitimacy

2. Effective check on government power

Question 43

Give 3 arguments against introducing an elected second chamber.

Answer 43

1. Elected second chamber may be less independent.
2. They may check government excessively, blocking legislation.
3. It may challenge the authority of the commons

Question 44

Give 3 arguments for reforming the electoral system.

Answer 44

1. Alternative systems would reduce the number of wasted votes.
   e. g 74.4% of votes were wasted in the 2015 election
2. Governments would be more representative of all voters and there would be less tactical voting.
   e. g. UKIP won 12.6% of the vote but only won 1 seat
3. Would improve the democratic legitimacy of MPS.
   e. g. 331 MPS did not have an absolute majority

Question 45

Give 3 arguments against reforming the electoral system.

Answer 45

1. Proportional representation would remove the important MP constituency link
2. Multiparty gov. would be less stable.
   e. g only 2 post war coalitions with FPTP (1974, 2011)
3. Other voting systems are more difficult to use and understand.