Democracy

Question 1

representation

Answer 1

ppl must be able to put views to govt.

Question 2

accountability

Answer 2

process the govt. can be made to explain + take responsibility for actions

Question 3

participation

Answer 3

must be a way the ppl can be engaged/take part in political process

Question 4

power dispersal

Answer 4

should be system that ensures power is spread across diff. political bodies to avoid 1 body becoming dominant

Question 5

legitimacy

Answer 5

process for selection of diff. branches of govt. should have legal authority + fairly represent will of the ppl

Question 6

education

Answer 6

political process should be open to all + should be an educated/informed citizenry able to understand the issues + make informed decisions

Question 7

ads/disads of representation? (representative democracy- RD)

Answer 7

P- every1 represented through a constituency MP
N- due to FPTP, many minority MPs not vote in by majority of constituents

Question 8

ads/disads of FPTP? (RD)

Answer 8

P- is simple + gives clear winner for each seat
N- leads to wasted votes + unrepresentative outcomes in Parliament

Question 9

ads/disads of parties? (RD)

Answer 9

P- variety of parties, 11 in parliament
N- safe seats, so lack of real choice, and only 2 parties have chance to form a govt.

Question 10

ads/disads of voting age/accessibility? (RD)

Answer 10

P- everyone 18+, who is not a prisoner/mentally incapable/a peer has right to vote
N- denial of franchise to 16/17 y.o., groups disenfranchised by process of registration (homeless), low turnout- not democratically legit. govt.

Question 10

ads/disads of pressure groups? (RD)

Answer 10

P- many pressure groups representing a range of interests, can all compete (pluralism)
N- competition between groups=unfair + elitist (factors- wealth/size/status), some groups power>others

Question 11

ads/disads of new groups/parties? (RD)

Answer 11

P- can be easily created to take on new issues
N- important issues can be drowned out by no. of campaigns

Question 12

ads/disads of spending? (RD)

Answer 12

P- Electoral Commission works to ensure parties adhere to rules on spending + campaigning
N- parties can find ways around regs. to spend more, more internet use allowed parties to bypass broadcasting restrictions in other areas

Question 13

ads/disads of direct democracy- wants of ppl/parliament

Answer 13

P- shows clear view of what ppl want
N- what ppl/parliament want can differ

Question 14

ads/disads of direct democracy- political participation (PP)

Answer 14

P- promotes PP + education
N- public have to be informed, many are not/have no expertise

Question 15

ads/disads of direct democracy- legitimacy/accountability

Answer 15

P- is enhanced
N- public could be purposely mislead

Question 16

ads/disads of direct democracy- corruption

Answer 16

P- less laws that just benefit MPs

Question 17

ads/disads of direct democracy- vote count

Answer 17

P- everyone’s vote counts the same
N- majority of ppl may vote for something which undermine a minority group

Question 18

ads/disads of direct democracy- referendums

Answer 18

N- not binding on govt.

Question 19

ads/disads of direct democracy- FPTP

Answer 19

P:
direct- shows clear view of what public want w/voters, popular w/voters, enhances legitimacy, simple
representative- decisions made by more educated/aware ppl who represent views in society