Democracy Flashcards
Direct democracy
Individuals express their political opinions themselves.
Originated in ancient Athens- male citizens would attend public meetings to make decisions
-people more active in politics
-not elective
Representative democracy
People elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
-Do not act as delegates
-Can be held to account and removed if the voters are unsatisfied
-Adult citizens have a right to vote
-Free and fair elections
Pluralist democracy
Type of democracy where a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations.
National referendums
A direct vote on a single issue (requiring a yes or no answer)
When was the remain or leave the EU vote in the UK?
June 2016
What was the Brexit referendum voter turnout?
72.2%
What were the results of the 2016 Brexit referendum? (%)
Remain- 48.1%
Leave- 51.9%
When was the first referendum in the UK? Where was it used?
1973 in Northern Ireland (where voters were asked if they want to stay in the UK)
When was the first national referendum held in the UK?
1975
When was the Scottish independence referendum? What was the voter turnout?
September 2014 with a voter turnout of 84.6%
Howe many Scottish people in 2014 voted for and against Scottish independence?
Yes (for Scottish independence) - 44.7%
No (against Scottish independence) - 55.3%
When and where was the Approval of the Good Friday Agreement referendum?
May 1998 in Northern Ireland
What was the voter turnout and the results of the Approval of Good Friday Agreement referendum?
Turnout- 81.0%
Yes- 71.1
No- 28.9
In what instances will a referendum be held?
Legitimising a major government initiative (important constitutional changes) or getting a government out of a difficult decision
What are the advantages of direct democracy?
-All votes have an equal impact
-Encourages political participation and makes citizens take their duties seriously
-People can take responsibility for their own actions
-Encourages debate and being for informed when it comes to making political decisions
What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?
-Impractical and expensive for large (and modern) population
-Many people don’t want to or don’t have the expertise to take part in decision making
-Open to manipulation and influence from campaigns and the media
-Minority viewpoints are disregarded
What are the advantages of representative democracy?
-Practical for a rapid response in a large population
-Representatives from different parties and pressure groups representing minority interests creates a pluralist democracy and encourages debate
-Reduces the chance of minority interests being over-ridden by ‘tyranny of the majority’
-Representatives can be held to account
-Theoretically, politicians have a better expertise to make decisions on many issues
What are the disadvantages of a representative democracy?
-Reduces participation as responsibility is given to politicians
-Parties and pressure groups can be run by elites and pushing their own agenda (not the people’s)
-Minorities are under-represented and most politicians will follow the majority
-Politicians are skilful in avoiding accountability - elections are only every 5 years
-Politicians can be corrupt, incompetent and vote for themselves or their party rather than their constituency
When was the Recall of MPs Act?
2015
What did the 2015 Recall of MPs act do?
A petition will be triggered if an MP is sentenced to be imprisoned or suspended from House of Commons for over 21 days. If 10% of the constituency electorate sign the petition, then a by-election is called.
What’s a by-election?
An election held in a single political constituency to fill a vacancy arising during a government’s term of office.
Definition of legitimacy.
The legal right to exercise power (right to rule)
Definition of democratic deficit.
A perceived deficiency in the way a particular democratic body works, especially in terms of accountability and control over policy-making.
What are the positive democratic features of the UK?
-Devolved governments (local governments for closer decisions for local people)
-Independent judiciary (separate from branches of government and this protects range of personal freedoms)
-Free media (can expose misleadings of politicians)
-Free and fair elections
-Wide range of pressure groups and political parties (which can be joined)
Undemocratic features of the UK
First-Past-The-Post (underrepresentation of minority interests), House of Lords (legitimacy), Lack of protection for citizen’s rights, control of media by the wealthy
Why is first past the post undemocratic?
It causes a two party system and tactical voting within constituencies which can lead to the legitimacy being questioned
How is the House of Lords illegitimate?
-The peers are unelected by the public and are instead selected by ministers
-Approximately 92 are hereditary peers
-26 bishops (CofE) are in the lords-outdated
How many bishops are in the House of Lords?
26
How many hereditary peers are in the House of Lords
92
How many seats are in the House of Commons?
650
Why shouldn’t the House of Lords be reformed?
-Crucial role in scrutiny
-Representation of parties does not match the Commons
-Cross benchers (scrutiny)
-Peers are elected from life experience so theres a range of different expertise within the house
