1.1b Representative Democracy Flashcards
Define Representative Democracy
In a representative democracy, citizens vote for an individual to represent them in the making of laws and political decisions.
How representation works
Elected representatives from organised parties make the decisions on the behalf of their voters.
Regular elections give representatives authority and make the system legitimate.
Define Question Time
MPs question members of the government about issues which they are responsible for, which will often be on matters of concern to their constituents.
Prime Minister’s Question Time: Takes place once a week, where the Leader of the Opposition and then MP’s question the Prime Minister on significant issues, often on behalf of the voters they represent.
Define Laws
The way in which MPs vote on laws in Parliament can be based on representing the views of their constituents
MPs Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry voted in favour of giving Parliament a vote on any Brexit deal which is reached, representing their constituents and going against the Conservative Party.
Advantages of Representative Democracy
Representatives can make sure that all in society are accounted for
The public and institutions can hold representatives accountable for their decisions
Representatives are better informed to make important political decisions as they often have greater expertise and knowledge than most of the population.
Disadvantages of Representative Democracy
Representatives may choose to act in their own best interest, or in the best interest of a select few constituents, rather than all of them.
If few people participate in the election of representatives, the representatives will not accurately reflect those they represent in parliament. Turnout for EU Parliament elections in the UK was 35.6% in 2014 and as a result, more marginal and radical parties have seats.
UKIP won 26.6% of the UK popular vote in the European Parliament, but at the 2015 general election only won 12.6% of the vote
A parliament may not have descriptive representation (where the representatives share characteristics with their constituents). 29% of MPs are privately educated, but only 7% of the UK is.
