1.1 The features of direct democracy and representative democracy Flashcards
features of representative democracy: AC
accountability: without it, representation becomes meaningless.
How are MPs held accountable?
manifestos - what they promise in their manifesto must be delivered, if not, they (probably) are voted out
features of representative democracy: SR
characteristics of a representative body should be broadly in line with characteristics of population as a whole: parliament should be 50% female
features of a representative democracy: CR
- representing interests of ur constituency as a whole
- representing individual constituents
- listening to views of constituents in relation to national interests
features of a representative democracy: PR
party representation
basically manifestos
features of a representative democracy: functional representation
occupational or social groups
trade unions!
the elderly, lgbt, disabled
advantages of representative democracy
- politicans must be well informed, and not swayed by emotion
- politicans should act as a balance of conflicting interests when reaching decisions
- politicans must be accountable. Voters can choose whether to renew mandates
disadvantages of representative democracy
- MPs represent ‘metropolitan elite’ not traditional values. EXAMPLE: 2016 EU membership referendum, 52% of the public voted to leave the EU.
- Powerful pressure groups, lobbyists, and the london-based media create a bubble around westminister
- MPs can have second jobs conflicting their views and compromising their representative role. EXAMPLE: 2021 Owen Patterson resigned after lobbying for companies
- FPTP means it’s impossible to be authentically representative
- HoL unelected and unaccountable.
what do voters remain under representative democracy?
sovereign.
they decide whether to renew an MPs mandate or not.
MPs should weigh up constituents, party’s manifesto promises, and understanding of the issue before voting.
devolved governments?
provide another layer of representation
How unrepresentative is westminister?
very middle class and increasingly so.
some argue MPs do not need to share the same characteristics of a group to represent their interests, for example LGBTQ legislation can be passed by heterosexual parliamentarians
EXAMPLE for westminister being unrepresentative
IN 2018, THE HANSARD SOCIETY estimated 83% of higher social groups were prepared to participate in politics, vs 41% or less for lower social groups.
Only 2% of homeless people registered to vote in 2018.
what is direct democracy?
no distinction between government and citizen, instead there is continuous agreement by the democratic process.
(this would be impossible with 40m voters in the UK, but there are elements of direct democracy)
referendums
directly expressing views
EXAMPLE in 2014: scottish independence referendum, 55.3% voted in favour of scotland remaining, 44.7% voted for independence.
EXAMPLE: EU referendum in 2016, 52% of people voted to leave, 48% voted to remain
advantages of referendums
direct choice
greater legitimacy than a representative decision
disadvantages of referendums
require a detailed understanding
the ongoing debate over Scottish independence and the UKs relationship with the EU suggests referendums don’t conclusively resolve contentious issues
electronic petitions
parliament must engage with petitions with over 100,000 signatures.
EXAMPLE: in 2021, several important issues were raised by e-petitions such as making it a legal requirement for night clubs to search guests on entry.
advantages of e petitions
marcus rashfords #EndChildFoodPoverty persuaded the government to commit to free school meals for low-income families during holidays
disadvantages of e petitions
can raise false impressions, and some issues cannot be legislated.
EXAMPLE: 2022 tony blair’s revocation of his knighthood gained over 1m signatures, but this is done by the monarch
consultative exercises
setup when government want to survey the likely reaction of the public to a certain issue.
Eg. HS2 rail link
advantages of consultative exercises
important way of engaging with public issues
disadvantages of consultative exercises
public’s opinion is not binding
most socially disadvantaged groups are the least likely to engage anyway
open primaries
the public decides who the candidate should be.
EXAMPLE: David Cameron encouraged open primaries to open up politics. 13 conservative candidates were selected this way for the 2015 general election
advantages of open primaries
people less affiliated with parties are more likely to enter politics.
Sarah Wolllaston was the first tory candidate to be elected this way in 2009
Recall of MPs act 2015
if an MP has been imprisoned, suspended from the house, or convicted of false expense claims, a recall petition signed by a minimum of 10% of constituents can trigger a by-election
EXAMPLE: in 2019 MP Fiona Onasanya for Peterborough was sentenced to a 3 month jail term for perverting the course of justice, and 25% wanted her recalled
advantages of recall
accountability
disadvantages of recall
circumstances in which it can be activated are so extreme it’s hard to ascertain the impact of it
advantages of direct democracy
engages with the public, makes politicans more responsive
greater engagement in the political process, encourages education
representatives are kept informed in developing public attitudes through referendums
disadvantages of referendums
dangerous to simplify issues with a yes/no (EU involved issues with Northern Ireland, the market, and the EU customers union, but it did not address these)
Can challenge Burke’s principle that representatives should act according to their conscience.
(Theresa May supported Remain in 2016 but led the withdrawal from the EU)
doesn’t balance conflicting interests or protect the rights of minorities
can encourage the public to vote on issues they know nothing about.
