Chapter 1 Democracy and participation Flashcards
Define Representative democracy.
A form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf. These representatives are then held accountable to the public in regular elections.
Within representative democracy what is the role of an elected politician?
They should weigh up the feelings of their constituents with their parties manifesto and their own judgment.
How many MPs in the UK parliament?
650
What are some advantages of representative democracy?
- Professional politicians who are well informed about political issues therefore more likely to make educated decisions
- Balance conflicting interests when coming to a decision (protect minority interests unlike DD)
- Principle of accountability, regular elections where the public can decide whether or not to renew their mandate
What are some disadvantages of Rep Dec
- MPs can become disengaged from their constituents
- Media and Lobbyists and MPs in a ‘Westminster bubble’
- Outside interests (second jobs)
- Due to FPTP the UK has a rigid two party system
- MPs are not fully representative of class, race and gender
- HOL is not elected and therefore unaccountable
2017 election
- Ethnic minority %
- Female %
- LGBT %
- Privately educated %
- Ethnic 8%
- Female 32%
- LGBT 7%
- Privately educated 29%
Define Direct Democracy
A form of democracy in which citizens themselves, rather than their representatives, make political decisions. The most significant modern example of DD is a referendum.
Define legitimacy
legitimate authority means power that has been legally acquired and is exercised according to the rule of law. A dictator can claim power but not legitimate power.
Why do some people criticise RP based on turnout.
It can be argued that there is political disengagement within RP, politics needs to become more relevant. Only a 68.7% turnout in the 2017 election - lack of legitimacy.
Define Referendum and an example
Majoritarian form of Democracy in which the public votes on a single issue. The side which gains over 50% of the vote wins.
E.g - 2014 Scottish independence
2016 UK membership of EU
Define Electronic Petitions and give example
If a petition on gov.com gets 100,000 signatures ti will be considered for debate in the house - it does not force legislation.
E.g - A second referendum
Meningitis B vaccination for all children
Definition Consultive exercises
These can be set up when governing bodies want to assess the likely reaction to their proposed policies.
E.g HS2
Open Primaries
A small number of constituencies have opted to select parliament candidates trough open primaries, in which the public directly decide whom the candidate should be.
E.g Totnes 2009
Define Election of the leadership of political parties
All the main political parties now allow their membership to decide whom the leader of their party will be. This is a significant power since it may determine whom the PM will be.
What is the Recall of MPs act 2015
Allows constituents to force by-elections
E.g 2019 Chris Davies (conservative) Brecon and Radnorshire - resulted in by-election
Cons of DD
- the public are not always sufficiently well informed
- too much influence to political activists
- can have a destabilising affect MPs vs public
- it is not practical for making quick decisions and voting on every piece of legislation is unworkable.
Define Participation crisis
A point at which the public has become disengaged from politics and voting levels have fallen so low that the legitimacy of elected govt’s can be questioned.
Memberships of political parties has dropped however …
this does not indicate a participation crisis as many floating voters will not identify strongly enough with one party to join as a member. Labour party membership has also grew under Jeremy Corbyn - radical leader gains support.
Define Democratic Deficit
When democracy is not functioning because there is a lack of accountability among politicians and political bodies as well as the citizens not being given equal influence over decisions.
arguments against devolution
- Turnout has fallen in Wales, Scotland and NI since their assembly’s/parliaments creation.
- Mayoral elections also only receive small turnouts
What year and what were the results of the FPTP vs AV referendum
2011 - 67.9% in favour of NOT replacing FPTP
Problems with PR
- Make coalition governments more likely (cannot fulfil manifesto)
- Radical minority parties
- The UK is not a multi-party democracy - most people will only vote for Labour or Conservative
What was the combined vote share of Labour and Conservatives in 2015 and 2017 and how does this show that the UK is not a multiparty democracy?
2015 - 67.3%
2017 - 82.4%
Define Franchise/Suffrage
The right to vote. The Uk has a universal suffrage. All men and women over 18 can vote in elections as long as they are not mentally incapacitated, in prison or sit in the HOL.
