1.1 current systems of representative and direct democracy Flashcards
1
Q
What is Direct Democracy?
A
- individuals express their opinions themselves
- citizens are more active in decision making
- not elective
- e.g. referendums
2
Q
What is Representative Democracy?
A
- people elect representatives who take decisions on their
behalf - all adult citizens have the right to vote for
representatives - elections for representatives are free and fair
3
Q
Advantages of Direct Democracy
A
- gives equal weight to all votes
- encourages popular participation
- removes the need for trusted representatives
- develops a sense of community
- encourages genuine debate
4
Q
Disadvantages of Direct Democracy
A
- impractical in a large, heavily populated modern state
- many people will not want to take part
- open to manipulation by the cleverest and most articulate speakers
- minority viewpoints are disregarded
5
Q
Advantages of Representative Democracy
A
- only practical system in a large modern state
- elections allow people to hold representatives to account
- political parties bring coherence and giving people a real choice of representative
- pressure groups represent different interests (promote debate and encourage pluralist democracy)
- reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by ‘tyranny of the majority’
- politicians are better informed than the average citizen
6
Q
Disadvantages of Representative Democracy
A
- may lead to reduced participation
- parties and pressure groups are mostly run by the elites pursuing their own agendas
- minorities are still under-represented
- politicians are skilful in avoiding accountability
- politicians may be corrupt and incompetent
7
Q
What is Pluralist Democracy?
A
- type of democracy in which a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations
8
Q
What are National Referendums?
A
- a direct vote on a single issue, usually requiring a response to a straight yes/no question
- the UK has had only three nationwide referendums
1&2) Britain’s membership of the European Economic Community (or European Union) in 1975 and
2016
3) whether to change the system of voting for the Westminster parliament in 2011
9
Q
What is the Recall of MPs Act?
A
- allows a petition to be triggered if an MP is sentenced to be imprisoned or is suspended from the HoC for more than 21 days
- a by-election is called if 10% of eligible voters in the constituency sign the petition
10
Q
Positive democratic features
A
- devolved governments
- independent judiciary
- free media
- free and fair elections
- wide range of political parties and pressure groups
11
Q
What is Legitimacy?
A
- the legal right to exercise power
- e.g. a governments right to rule following an election
12
Q
What is Democratic deficit?
A
- a perceived deficiency in the way a particular democratic body works
- in terms of accountability and control over policy-making
13
Q
Why do people argue the UK political system is undemocratic?
A
- under-representation of minority viewpoints due to the voting system
- HoL lacks democratic legitimacy
- lack of protection for citizens rights
- control of sections of the media by wealthy, unaccountable business interests
14
Q
What is a Participation crisis?
A
- a lack of engagement with the political system
- e.g. a large number of people choose not to vote, join a political party or stand for office
15
Q
Information on Voter Turnout (participation crisis)
A
- average turnout at general elections from 1945-1997 was 76%
- 2001 was the lowest since the end of WW1 in 1918
- turnout is even lower in ‘second order’ elections e.g. in devolved bodies and local elections (average turnout in May 2016 was 33.8%), could be because voters don’t think the elections will make such a difference
