Content shitttttt Flashcards
Features of Representative Democracy
Free, fair and regular elections at multiple levels
Universal suffrage
Assemblies pass laws
Decisions in assembly made with a majority of representatives
Indirect (representatives act on behalf of the electorate)
Tolerance of different views
Widespread civil rights
Range of political parties
Pressure Group activity
Mediated decisions made on behalf of the electorate by MPs
Features of Parliamentary Democracy
Parliament is the highest source of political authority
Authority of government is drawn from Parliament
Members of the government are drawn from Parliament
Government is not elected separately from Parliament
Government is accountable to Parliament
Made up of the HofC (elected), HofL (mostly appointed) and the Crown (birth right)
The PM is elected indirectly - the leader of the party who wins the most seats becomes PM
Features of Liberal Democracy
Indirect and representative form of democracy
Free and fair elections - universal suffrage
Competitive elections
Guaranteed civil liberties and individual rights
Constitutional government based on legal rules
Civil society - freedom of speech and the media
Capitalist economy
Problems with Direct Democracy
> People may not fully understand the issues involved
The media could become too powerful - where else would people get their information
People vote on their own selfish interests rather than for the benefit of society as a whole
Not practical in modern society despite advances in technology
Tyranny of the majority (the majority rules at the expense of the minority)
Strengths of Direct Democracy
> People are more involved - they can participate directly in decision making
May encourage people to be better informed politically - therefore participate more
Access to the political system much easier - directs political involvement into institutional channels rather than on the streets
Forces the political elite to take account of the views of all people all the time
Allows conflicts to be out into the open and be resolved
The government is more legitimate - people are more in control so it is more legitimate
Strengths of Representative Democracy
> Representatives often have better knowledge than most people - they can use better judgement
The ability to weigh up the needs of minorities against the demands of the majority
Representatives may have a more rational approach to decision making
Representatives may be able to arbitrate between different rival groups
Weaknesses of Representative Democracy
> Low rates of participation and turnout - the public is isolated from the process
Representatives can lose touch with the electorate
Can be impractical - tyranny of the majority and the MPs may not know the wishes of the majority
MPs could ignore their constituents views
Political elite rule and represent ruling class interests
Elective Dictatorship
When to use a referendum
> To decide questions of a constitutional or moral nature
To resolve a division within the governing party on an issue
To gain tactical advantage
Promised in the manifesto
To gauge public opinion
To encourage greater democracy
To get its way (if the government has a great chance of winning)
Features of a referendum
> Direct Democracy
Singular yes/no question
Don’t ave to be honoured by the government
Brought about by the government - whenever or never
Features of Elections
> Representative Democracy
Elect someone to make decisions for you on your behalf
Multiple decisions
Have to be held every 5 years (Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011)
Fixed date
Competition between several political parties
How do referendums promote greater democracy?
> By giving the public a chance to register their views
Changes to the constitution gain greater legitimacy is they have public support
e.g. devolution
By convention, the government must abide by the decision made
Encourage political education and knowledge
May increase political interest among the electorate
What influences electoral turnout?
The electoral system
> If votes can be wasted
> Safe seats
The issues
> Are there any issues tat galvanise the public e.g:
> Poor economic performance
> Very high unemployment
> Different vision of the future
> A need for change
Levels of apathyWhy is turnout important?
The government acts upon the result
> It is in the electorate’s interest if the results actually represent what they want
Legitimacy
> Decisions can be democratically illegitimate if turnout is low
Authority
> Government doesn’t have the authority to govern if turnout is low
Representation
> People’s views actually shown in the results
Democracy
> A decision is unlikely to be democratic is turnout is low
Evidence of a participation crisis
Electoral turnout appears to be in long term decline
> 1950 = 81%
> 2015 = 66.6%
Trade Union Membership has declined in the long run
> 1979 = 13,000,000
> 2013 = 6,500,000
How to participate in representative democracy
Canvassing > Volunteering to work for a campaign Donating to a campaign/fundraising activities Participation > Electoral and non-electoral Writing to/meeting with your local MP to express your view Joining a political party > Influencing the candidates, party leader and policies Pressure Groups Consultation with the government E-petitions Boycotts Media Strikes Protests
