24.) The Nature of Democracy

Question 1

What are some advantages of representative democracy?

Answer 1

-Representatives have the knowledge and skill to make complex decisions
-They’re responsible for all issues so can take competing claims with all the facts to make a nuanced decision
-Being part of a political party allows a representative’s voters to see their opinions before voting for them
-Representative democracy is efficient than making the people vote for every decision

Question 2

What is direct democracy?

Answer 2

Where decisions are made directly by voters

Question 3

Name some examples of this within the UK?

Answer 3

-1973 NI referendum
-1975 UK wide EEC referendum
-1979 and 1997 Wales and Scotland devolution referendums
-1998 London Assembly creation referendum
-1998 Good Friday Agreement referendum in Northern Ireland
-2011 AV vote referendum across the UK
-2011 Wales referendum on if the Welsh Parliament should get more powers
-2014 Scotland independence referendum
-2016 UK wide EU referendum

Question 4

Name an example of a direct democracy?

Answer 4

Switzerland - 50,000 people can challenge any legislation passed within 100 days by Parliament, citizens who manage to get 100,000 signatures for their laws within 18 months can force referendums on their laws too

Question 5

What’s another way for citizens to have their voices heard?

Answer 5

E-Petitions

Question 6

Name some famous E-petitions in the UK?

Answer 6

2019 - 6 million signatures for the UK gov to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU (failed)
2007 - 1.8 signatures to stop introduction of road pricing (failed)

Question 7

Give some advantages of direct democracy for the UK?

Answer 7

-Promotes political participation
-Improves accountability, officials can’t ignore people’s opinions
-Improves benefits of being politically educated
-Enhances a party’s legitimacy as decisions in a direct democracy have a people’s mandate
-Direct democracy is popular among voters E.G Scottish Indy ref 84.6% turnout
-‘Purer’ form of democracy as all adults are trusted to make decisions

Question 8

Give some disadvantages of direct democracy in the UK?

Answer 8

-Lack of political education, elected reps may be better, direct democracy undermines rep democracy
-Referendums not binding, can be ignored due to parliamentary sovereignty
-Populism may prevail and voters may do it for populist or emotive reasons
-Turnout low for some referendums like AV referendum in 2011 - 42% turnout
-Tyranny of the majority risk
-Costly and timely