Chapter 1 - Democracy + Participation Flashcards
Direct democracy - advantages
- It’s the purest form of democracy; can directly hear voice of the people.
- Avoids delay + deadlock in political system.
- Great legitimacy.
- Equal weight to all votes.
Direct democracy - disadvantages
- Impractical in such a large modern state with complex decisions.
- Open to manipulation; people may be too easily swayed by short term, emotional appeals.
- Tyranny of the majority.
Representative democracy- advantages
- Practical in a large modern state with complex issues.
- Encourages pluralist democracy.
- No tyranny of the majority.
- Accountability.
- Politicians are better informed than average citizens.
Representative democracy - disadvantages
- May reduce participation.
- Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites pursuing their own agendas.
- Minorities can still be underrepresented; politicians will follow majority views to scute election.
- Politicians avoid accountability skilfully.
- Politicians may be corrupt and incompetent.
Levels of representation in UK
- Parish/ town councils - deal with local issues e.g. parks/ gardens, parking, etc.
- Local councils - deal with local services e.g. education, public transport, roads, social services.
- Metropolitan authorities - big city governments, deal with policing, public transport, arts funding, environment, emergency services.
- Devolved governments - deal with health, education, policing, transport.
- National government - UK parliament at Westminster and UK gov’t.
Doctrine of the Mandate - strengths
- Grants clear authority to incoming gov’t and so strengthens its legitimacy.
- Allows parliament and voters to judge performance of gov’t effectively.
- Clearly demonstrates when a gov’t may be overstepping it’s authority.
Doctrine of the Mandate - weaknesses
- Parties are always elected with less than 50% of popular vote due to FPTP; Mandate can be called into question.
- Those who voted for gov’t don’t always agree with everything in their manifesto.
- Not clear if gov’t has Mandate to carry out policies not in manifesto.
How democratic is the UK: peaceful transition of power
Positives:
The UK is remarkably conflict free.
No negatives
How democratic is the UK: free elections
Positives:
All over 18 can vote. Little electoral fraud and strong legal safeguards.
Negatives:
House of Lords and Monarch are wholly unelected.
How democratic is the UK: fair elections.
Positives:
Proportional systems in devolved assemblies.
Negatives:
FPTP system for general elections is not proportional and wastes some votes.
How democratic is the UK: widespread participation
Positives:
Extensive pressure group membership and growth in e-democracy
Negatives:
Voter turnout and party membership has been falling.
How democratic is the UK: freedom of expression
Positives:
Press + broadcasters are unbiased and have no gov’t interference. Free access to internet.
Negatives:
Most press ownership is in hands of few powerful companies
How democratic is the UK: freedom of association
Positives:
No restrictions on legal organisations
Negatives:
Some are banned because of terrorism/ racial hatred
How democratic is the UK: protection of rights and liberties
Positives:
ECHR (European convention on human rights). House of Lords and judiciary protect rights.
Negatives:
Parliament is sovereign so rights are at mercy of party w/ strong majority. ECHR not binding on parliament.
How democratic is the UK: rule of law
Upheld strictly by judiciary. Right to judicial review. Judiciary is independent and non-political.
No negatives
How democratic is the UK: limited gov’t and constitutionalism
Positives:
Parliament + courts ensure gov’t acts within law
Negatives:
No written constitution; limits to power are vague. PM has extensive + arbitrary power.
Ways to participate
- Standing for public office
- Active party membership
- Active pressure group membership
- Passive party membership
- Digital activists
- Voting
16 year old vote - positives
- Informed about politics more than ever before due to citizenship education and internet + social media.
- Old enough to serve in army, get married and pay tax.
- Radical ideas could counterbalance extreme conservatism of elderly voters.
16 year old vote - negatives
- Too young to make rational judgements.
- Too complex issues
- Few pay tax so have a lower stake in society.
- Some tend to be excessively radical.
Compulsory voting - positives
- May force voters to inform themselves more
- Higher turnout = greater legitimacy
- Decision makers will ensure that policies will address all of societies concerns, not just the typical voting group
- Voting is a civic duty
Compulsory voting - negatives
- Civil liberties violation; should have the right to not vote
- Lots of voters will not be informed enough
- Will involve large amounts of public expenditure to enforce the system
- Favours larger parties over small ones
Pressure groups: promotional groups definition
Seek to promote a particular cause; this may be broad or narrow depending on the issue.
Examples: Greenpeace Friends of the Earth Unlock Democracy PETA
Pressure groups: sectional groups definition
Represent a particular section of the community, e.g trade unions
Examples:
Age UK
British medics association
Taxpayers alliance
Promotional groups features
Serve the whole community.
Want to mobilise public opinion and use this to put pressure on gov’t.
Use direct action (public demonstrations, etc.)
Seek widespread support
Sectional group features
Largely self-interested.
Seek insider status.
Use more responsible methods.
Usually have formal membership.
Pressure groups: how they enhance democracy
Help disperse power + influence more.
Educate the public.
Provide more opportunities for political participation.
Promote and protect interests + rights of minoritoes.
Help call gov’t to account.
Pressure groups: how they threaten democracy
Some are elitist.
Some may distort info in their own interests.
Some are internally undemocratic.
Some that are wealthy may have a disproportionate amount of influence.
Rights in the UK: strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
Strong common law.
Subject to ECHR.
Independent judiciary isn’t influenced by politics.
Clearly established principle of human rights.
Weaknesses:
Common law can be vague + disputed.
Parliament can ignore ECHR due to sovereignty.
Increasing pressure due to terrorism to curtail rights in the interest of national security.
Individual rights
Freedom of expression. Right to privacy. Right to press freedom. Right to public demonstration (association and free movement). Right to strike.
Collective rights
Religious groups to not have views questioned/satirised.
Right of community to be protected from terrorism.
Right if public figures to keep private lives private.
Right of community to freedom of movement.
Right of community to expect good services from public services.
Democratic deficit
The features of the political system which don’t conform to/fall short of the criteria for true democracy
