Component 1: Democracy and Participation

Question 1

Legitimacy

Answer 1

the legal right to exercise
power, for example, a
government’s right to rule
following an election.

Question 2

Direct democracy

Answer 2

all individuals express their
opinions themselves and
not through representatives
acting on their behalf.
An example of direct
democracy is a referendum.

Question 3

Representative
democracy

Answer 3

a form of democracy in
which an individual selects
a person (or political party)
to act on their behalf to
exercise political choice.

Question 4

Pluralist democracy

Answer 4

a type of democracy in
which a government makes
decisions as a result of the
interplay of various ideas
and contrasting arguments
from competing groups and
organisations.

Question 5

Democratic deficit

Answer 5

a perceived deficiency
in the way a particular
democratic body works,
especially in terms of
accountability and control
over policy-making.

Question 6

Participation crisis

Answer 6

a lack of engagement with
the political system, for
example where a large
number of people choose
not to vote, join a political
party or stand for office.

Question 7

Franchise/suffrage

Answer 7

the ability, or right, to vote
in public elections.

Question 8

Think tanks

Answer 8

a body of experts brought
together to investigate and
offer solutions to economic,
social or political issues.

Question 9

Lobbyists

Answer 9

someone who is paid by
clients to seek to influence
government or parliament
on their behalf, particularly
when legislation is being
considered.