Democracy Flashcards
civil rights
they are given to you by the government. some of them are right to vote, form trade unions and right to fair trial
Magna Carta
made in 1215 its very outdated however provided the right to fair trail and unlawful seizure of property. king had to abide by the law. only applied to rich/nobles
European convention of human rights
made in 1950 enforced by the court in Strasbourg after horrors of ww2 however not passed by labour government until 1998
the equality act
made in 2010 brought all the rights under one act and protected minorities
controversial rights
right to strike, form trade unions, engage in business without state intervention
human rights act
made in 1998 but not put in place until 2000. it incorporated the human rights act into British law
weaknesses of the human rights act
sometimes criminals can use it to get out of trouble
equality of opportunity
society should find a way to reduce advantages and privileges
what is a pressure group
a group seeking influence over government policy or business activity to secure the interests of their members and supporters
sectional groups
interest groups such as doctors or train drivers
outsider groups
those who have not direct involvement with the government due to their methods
indirect action
publicity, leaflets, adverts, petitions
direct action
lobbying, protest, boycotts, civil disobedience
why are pressure groups successful
.lots of members/resources (RSPCA)
.public support
.if the government would listen
the left
Looking at society as a whole and that governments should focus on promoting fairness and equality. Favours an active role for government. Tend to have a more relaxed liberal position on social and moral matters.
the right
Focuses on the individual and what he can do for himself. Fairness and equality should develop naturally and not be forced by the government. Tend to have a more conservative and traditional approach to social and moral matters.
pluralism
where every group in society is represented in the overall decision making progress
democratic deficit
this is where although people can vote for their leaders the leaders don’t always act in their interests
participation crisis
where people have become so disinterested in politics that they take no part in it
think tanks
generally academic organisations that think about devising or creating policy to put forward and suggest to political parties
lobbyists
work for companies and organisations where they are paid to promote an idea or a product to politicians. With the aim of changing the law.
natural justice
what people consider to be right or morally correct
legal justice
the rule of the land
social justice
The idea that justice can also be measured in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. However there are other interpretations.
Karl Marx
he believed the world was made of two groups: the bourgeoisie (rich) and the proletariat (poor). He believed that we should get rid of these groups and make everyone on an equal level.
socialism
the more you earn the more taxes you pay.
collective rights
rights we have as a group
individual rights
rights we have as a person
democracy
is government of the people by, the people and for the people
legitimacy
accept as valid and has authority
direct democracy
a political system whereby the people take part themselves in running the country.
representative democracy
in which people elect representatives who take decisions on their behalf.
popular sovereignty
the idea that the power is invested in the people
parliamentary sovereignty
the idea that parliament can make or end any law they want to
house of lords
It is not elected by the people. Members are called peers. 92 are inherited seats. 26 Bishops of the church of england. Government peers and opposition peers. Crossbenchers (non political).
opportunities for democratic participation
voting in local, regional and national elections.
civil service
.work for ministers in government
.politically neutral so they work with who ever is in power
.permanent posts
.do the bulk of the work in carrying out policy
.the suspicion that some have is that quite frequently civil servants are actually working against government interests and they are protecting their own positions
devolved government
when governments give up some of their power to regional governments.
free media
people can say what they want
electorate
the body of people entitled to vote
people who are entitled to vote (UK)
over 18, UK and commonwealth citizens, UK nationals who lived aboard 15 years
people who can’t vote (UK)
under 18, prisoners, people in mental institutions
evolution of universal suffrage
.there used to be only two types of constituencs county and boroughs
.you had to own land to vote
.some boundaries stayed the same so they where very corrupt
.plural voting allowed wealthy men with property several votes
.women exclude
The great reform act 1832
.redistribute seats to make it more fair
.people didn’t have to own land
.created a standard £10 property qualification
.only 5% of population could vote
important changes
.1867 - borough householders e.g. tradesmen and shopkeepers
.1884 - rural householders put on same footing as borough ones
.1918 - all men over 21 and women over the age of 30 could vote
.1928 - age for women reduced to 21
1948 - one person one vote
.1969 - voting age reduced to 18
why was the suffrage movement created
so women could vote
WW1 impacts on women’s suffrage
where seen in a more positive light as they worked in the factories while the men where at war.
