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A Level Government and Politics (Edexcel) > 1.1 - Current Systems of Democracy in the UK > Flashcards

1.1 - Current Systems of Democracy in the UK Flashcards

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1
Q

What gives a government power and authority?

A

The Monarchy, the Laws they set, the people’s acceptance of their laws, the fact they are voted into power by the people.

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2
Q

What is direct democracy?

A

A political system wherein the population take part THEMSELVES in the running of the country i.e. referendums etc.
A leader is directly elected.

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3
Q

What are the advantages of direct democracy?

A

Equal voter weighting
People take personal responsibility for their decisions
Develops a sense of community

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4
Q

What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?

A

Impractical in a large modern society
Many people are not qualified enough to take part
Minority viewpoints are disregarded (could lead to tyranny of the majority)

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5
Q

What is representative democracy?

A

The people elect representatives to take control of decision making, as the politicians in charge are (theoretically) more informed than the average person.

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6
Q

What are the advantages of representative democracy?

A

Far more practical in a large society
Parties are formed (pluralist democracy)
Reduces chances of tyranny of the majority
Politicians are (often) better informed than the average person

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7
Q

What is pluralist democracy?

A

Taking into account different viewpoints from multiple parts of society.

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8
Q

What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?

A

Can lead to reduced political participation
Parties are run and funded by elites who push their own agenda
Politicians can easily dodge accountability for their actions
Politicians may be corrupt

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9
Q

Where does power lie in the UK?

A

The people, as they elect a parliament, and allow the monarchy to continue.

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10
Q

What is popular sovereignty?

A

Power of parliament must be exercised in accordance with the general will of the people.

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11
Q

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

A

Allows parliament to pass and end any law it so chooses.

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12
Q

What type of sovereignty does the UK fall under?

A

Popular and Parliamentary, as one cannot exist without the other.

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13
Q

What is democratic participation?

A

The opportunity to be involved in a political process, be it by voting, pressure groups, writing to MP’s etc.
At the highest level it implies standing for public office.

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14
Q

What is the disconnect between parliament and the people?

A

In most cases, parliament make laws according to the people’s consent in General Elections, however they can pass any law they want, so the power does mostly lie within parliament.

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15
Q

What is the turnout in General Elections?

A

60% - 65%

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16
Q

What is the turnout in Local Elections?

A

30% - 35%

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17
Q

How often are elections to the HoC?

A

At least every 5 years.

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18
Q

How are the HoL elected?

A

By appointment from the Monarch, in accordance with recommendations from government.

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19
Q

How is the PM decided?

A

The PM is indirectly elected, as the party leader of the party that wins becomes the PM.

i.e. Liz Truss is the leader of the Conservative Party, they hold the most seats in the HoC, therefore she is PM.

20
Q

What is the ‘Tyranny of the Majority’?

A

The ease of the majority to persecute the minority.

21
Q

What is sovereignty?

A

Power and Authority

22
Q

Who is the current PM (as of 14/09/22)

A

Liz Truss

23
Q

Background of Liz Truss

A

Comes from a labour family, who have said they will not vote for her.
Went to a comprehensive school, despite electing 60% of her cabinet members who went to private school.
Began as a member of the Lib Dems, along with beginning as an ardent abolitionist.
Became an MP in 2010.
Wrote a book called Britannia Unchained, which heavily supported a completely free market economy.
Had an affair with another Tory MP.
Remainer, but became more sympathetic towards Brexit.
One of the first PM’s to not appoint any rivals.

24
Q

What jobs did the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 change drastically in Parliament?

A

Lord Chancellor.

The job used to contain Chief Justice, Leader of the Lords and Member of Cabinet.
There is now a position for Chief Justice external to politics, a new position for Leader of the Lords.

25
Q

Is the UK a direct or representative democracy? Why?

A

Representative.

We elect politicians to make decisions on our behalf.

26
Q

Does the UK have popular sovereignty or parliamentary sovereignty? Why?

A

Both.

The power of parliament is as a result of the people’s acceptance of them.

27
Q

How is the PM decided?

A

Indirectly elected, as the leader of the party with most representatives in the HoC becomes PM.

28
Q

What are the opportunities for Democratic Participation?

A

Voting (Local, Regional, National Elections)
Referendums
Political Party Members voting for the Leaders

29
Q

What are the positive features of the UK Democratic System?

A 
Devolved Governments
Independent Judiciaries
Free Media
Free and Fair Elections
Wide Range of Political Parties and Pressure Groups.
30
Q

Why are devolved governments a positive feature of the UK democratic system?

A

Ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people that it actually affects.

31
Q

Why are independent judiciaries a positive feature of the UK democratic system?

A

Ensures that politics does not mix with law in an effort to encourage free and fair trials.

Judges make their decisions solely upon the law, and not on politics.

32
Q

Why is the Free Media a positive feature of the UK Democratic System?

A

Ensures that politicians are held to account for their actions.

Can criticise the government with no fear of direct repercussions.

33
Q

Why are free and fair elections a positive feature of the UK democratic system?

A

Ensures that only politicians that win freely are able to represent the country.

The Electoral Commission oversees the laws of elections. All politicians get equal air time on TV.

34
Q

Why are a wide range of pressure parties a positive feature of the UK democratic system?

A

You can vote for whomever you choose.

35
Q

What are the negatives of the UK political system?

A

Under-representation of minority viewpoints.
House of Lords lacks democratic legitimacy.
Lack of protection of citizen rights.
Control of sections of the media by powerful business assets.

36
Q

Why is under-representation a negative of the UK political system?

A

Due to the first-past-the-post system, many minority viewpoints are ignored.

In the 2015 Election, UKIP had 12% of the votes, yet only had 1 seat in the HoC.

37
Q

Why is the HoL a negative of the UK democratic system?

A

Lacks democratic legitimacy as they are appointed by the Monarch (upon recommendation of the PM) to become a Lord.

38
Q

Why is a lack of protection for citizens rights a negative of the UK Democratic system?

A

Due to Parliamentary Sovereignty, our rights can be taken away at any point.

39
Q

Why is the control of the media a negative of the UK democratic system?

A

A small subset of men control major news outlets, allowing them to pass their political views onto others very easily. The average person takes the news as a fact.

40
Q

What was the average voter turnout from 1945 - 1997?

A

76%

41
Q

How has party membership changed?

A

Fallen (Labour has grown slightly since the appointment of Corbyn in 2015.)

42
Q

What was Tory membership in the mid-90’s?

A

400,000.

43
Q

What is Tory membership now?

A

170,000.

44
Q

What country most closely resembles a direct democracy today?

A

Switzerland.

45
Q

What is subsidiarity?

A

The principle that central government should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level.

46
Q

Is there a participation crisis in politics today? (Yes)

A
  • Many young people eligible to vote, do not.
  • Voter apathy is rising.
  • Party membership is falling.
47
Q

Is there a participation crisis in politics today? (No)

A
  • Voter turnout has been rising.
  • Young people are more likely to be involved in a cause rather than political party.
  • Pressure group membership has been rising.

A Level Government and Politics (Edexcel) (74 decks)

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