democracy

Question 1

direct

Answer 1

pros
- purest form of democracy
- no need for representatives
- people are accountable for their own decisions
- encourages education and participation

cons
- wealthier individuals can distort the debate
- impractical in cost, time, population
- public may be unwilling to make unpopular decisions / ill-informed
- tyranny of the majority

examples
- referendums
- petitions - 100,000 required to be debated in parliament

Question 2

representative

Answer 2

pros
- practical
- more expertise from politicians
- still accountable at elections

cons
- may not represent the views of the people
- large party influence
- low levels of participation
- FPTP

examples
- pressure groups
- elections

Question 3

functions of liberal democracy

Answer 3

representation
accountability
participation
power dispersal
education
legitimacy

Question 4

representation

Answer 4

delegate model
- MPs make decisions on their constituents behalf - do as their told

Burkean / trusteeship model
- MPs make decisions for their constituents
- constituents trust MPs to make decisions

social representation
- social class
- gender
- ethnicity
- sexuality

Question 5

franchise

Answer 5

Representation of the People Act 1918 1928 - women’s suffrage

Ballot Act 1872 - anonymous voting

Scottish Election Act 2016 - 16 and 17 yr olds can vote

roughy 71.5% can vote (prisoners, homeless and mentally incapable cannot vote)