1.1 Current systems of representative democracy and direct democracy Flashcards

1
Q

democracy

A

all citizens are equally entitled to participate in the society’s decision about its policies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

5 key measures of democracy and created them?

A

On Democracy 1988, Robert A. Dhal uses the following 5:
- participation
- voting equality
- understanding
- agenda setting
- universal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

participation

A

before a decision is made, all have an equal and effective opportnity to make their opinions known to other about which decision should be made

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

voting equality

A

when a decsion is to be made, every member must have an equal and effective opportunity to vote and all votes must be counted as equal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

understanding

A

each person must have an equal and effective opportunities for learning about the relevant alternative choices and their likely outcomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

agenda setting

A

each person msut have the opportunity to decide how to set the agenda and what to place on the agenda so that past decisions are always open to be revised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

universal

A

all adults should have the same rights. as citizens, that are necessary for participation, voting equality, understanding, and setting the agenda

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

why is democracy of central importance?

A

provides basis for legiitimacy, the right to rule and so is the key to political stability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what does democracy provide those in power with?

A

provides them with the legitimate right to rule and places an obligation on the people to obey the law in at least three ways (consent,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

consent

A

citizens implicitly invest political authority w a ‘right to rule’ each time they participate in the pol process. dem underpins legitimacy by expanding the opps for effect pol participation, through act of voting but also through activities like joing pol party or pressure groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

the two types of democracy

A
  1. direct democracy
  2. representative democracy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

direct demoracy (dd)

A

All individuals express their opinions themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf. This type of democracy emerged in Athens in classical times and direct democracy can be seen today in referendums.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

key features of direct democracy

A
  • popular participation is direct in that the people ‘make’ policy decisions - they do not merely chose who will rule on their behalf
  • popular participation is immediate in that people ‘are’ gov - there is no seperate class of professional politicians
  • popular participaton is continuous in that people engage in politics pn regular and ongoing basis - all decisions made by the people
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is direct democracy associated with and how? COMPLETE

A

traced back to Ancient Greece, about 500-322 BCE, a form of democracy operated in Athens thats served ever since as a form of ‘classical democracy’. very particular form of dem = different form of dem found in modern world = relies on participation from all citizens in oepn assemblies which made all key decisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

representative democracy

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

why is representative democracy dominant in the modern world?

A

solves the prob inherent in dd, that only a small % of people can/want to spend their time involved in political issues

17
Q

what is representative democracy a way of voters doing what?

A

a way for voters electing a small group of representatives who work full time on getting informed, debating and voting on political issues on behalf of the people

18
Q

in representative democracy what do people acquire?

A

acquire the power to make political decsions by means of a competitives struggle for the peoples vote.

19
Q

what does those who win the election claim to do?

A

those who win the elections claim to ‘represent’ the people and the legitimate right to govern

20
Q

key features of representative democracy

A
21
Q

what is the basis of representative democracy compared to direct democracy?

A

dd = basis of popular partcipation
rp operates on basis of popular control - ways of ensuring professional politicians represent the people and not themselves

22
Q

the basic condition for representative democracy is what?

A

democratic elections

23
Q

what are democratic elections based on? (3)

A
  • freedom, fairness, and regularity = voters can participate freely & express their own views
  • universal suffrage = adults can vote & there is voting equality, based on the principle of one person, one vote
  • party and candidate competition = voters have a choice & effective opportunities for learning abt the relevant alternative choices and their likely outcomes
24
Q

examples of how the number of opportunites for participation increased with voters?

A

depending on where voters live, wide range of elections able to vote in:
- elections in scot, wales, ni for the devolved gov since the first elections in in 1998
- elections for the london mayor and greater ldn authority since 2000
- elections for Police Commissioners, who make sure that local police meet the needs of the community since 2012

25
Q

legitimacy COMPLETE

A

The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely-held agreements, such as a government’s right to rule following an election or a monarch’s succession based on the agreed rules.

26
Q

Franchise/ suffrage

A

franchise and suffrage are both terms that refer to the right to vote in public elections, such as general election

27
Q
A