Chapter One: Democracy and Participation

Question 1

What is representative democracy?

Answer 1

• A form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf
• Based on principle that elected politicans should represent the interests of all their constituents

Representatives are then held accountable to public in general elections

Question 2

What is the job of a professional politician?

Answer 2

• Aquire political understanding so they can make informed decisions in the interests of the whole nation
• Required to be well informed about political issues

Question 3

What happens in a representative democracy?

Answer 3

• Elected politicians are made accountable to the electorate in regular elections

This means that voters ultimately retain sovereignty as they decide wether or not to renew mandate of representatives

Question 4

What is an electorate?

Answer 4

All the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

Question 5

What are the two forms of democracy in the UK?

Answer 5

1. Representative
2. Direct

Question 6

What are constituents?

Answer 6

• People who live in a constituency that an elected official represents

constituency: specific geographic area

officials who are picked advocate for their interests and needs within the government.

Question 11

How many MPs are in the Westminster Parliament?

Answer 11

650

They are all accountable to their constituents in regular elections

Question 12

What jobs provide an extra layer of representation for the public?

Answer 12

• Elected mayors
• Local councils

Question 13

What is the main advantage of representative democracy?

Answer 13

• Government is carried out by professional politicians who are required to be well informed about political issues
• More likley to make politically education decisions

(The public may be swayed by emotion or may not fully understand)

Question 14

What is an example of the advantages of representative democracy?

Answer 14

Before parliamentary bill is enacted:
* it will have carefully been drawn up by ministers and civil servants
* Debated in House of Commons and House of Lords
* Further analysed in committee stage when amendments may be added to it

Question 16

What is a referendum?

Answer 16

Vote on issues directly, government create policy based off response