Definitions

Question 1

What does democracy mean?

Answer 1

“Rule by the People”

Question 2

How did Abraham Lincoln define democracy?

Answer 2

By the people, of the people and for the people.

Question 3

What are the elections in a democracy like?

Answer 3

Free, fair, regular and with universal suffrage.

Question 4

What are the main features of democracy?

Answer 4

~ Elections

~ Citizen participation

~ Government accountability

~ Government working in the public interest

Question 5

What democratic features are present in a liberal democracy?

Answer 5

~ Free, fair and regular elections with universal suffrage

~ Use of representatives

~ Government accountability

Question 6

What makes a liberal democracy different from a democracy?

Answer 6

~ Civil liberties are protected

~ Plurality of groups

~ Government power is limited by a constitution and the rule of law

Question 7

What are the main features of representative democracy?

Answer 7

~ Politicians act on behalf of and are accountable to the public

~ Popular participation is restricted and infrequent, usually limited to an election every few years

~ Representatives are not just delegates, they use their own judgement in the decision making process

Question 8

What is a prime example of representative democracy?

Answer 8

The House of Commons

Question 9

What are the main features of direct democracy?

Answer 9

~ Decisions are made directly by the citizens themselves

~ Political participation is continuous and ongoing, rather than limited to an election every few years

~ There is no formal distinction between people and the government for they are one and the same

Question 10

What is an element of direct democracy in the UK?

Answer 10

Referenda

Question 11

Which ancient city is an example of a Direct Democracy?

Answer 11

Ancient Athens

Question 12

What is a referendum?

Answer 12

A popular vote in which the citizens are asked to determine an issue of policy.

Question 13

What are the main features of a referendum?

Answer 13

~ In most instances, only one question is used

~ They are held at the discretion of parliament

~ The answer is always conclusive (I.e. Remain or Leave in the 2016 EU Referendum)

~ They can be advisory or legally binding. In the UK, they are only advisory.

Question 14

What is legitimacy?

Answer 14

The decree to which a body can be justified in exercising its power.

Question 15

What is democratic legitimacy?

Answer 15

The accepted right to exercise power which has been verified through a democratic route.

Question 16

In what ways can democratic legitimacy be gained?

Answer 16

~ A free and fair election

~ A referendum

~ Securing a majority vote in the legislature

~ Adhering to constitutional and legal practices