Democracy Flashcards

1
Q

What is a democracy?

A

The people’s power, idea that political ideas should be made by people not the privileged

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2
Q

What is direct democracies’?

A

No need to elect politicians, the people should vote on individual issues such as referendums

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3
Q

Advantages of direct democracys?

A

-Its the genuine people power
-No need for elected politicians
-Encourages participation
-More responsibility’s
-Prevents power from being in the hands of elites

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4
Q

Disadvantages of direct democracy’s?

A

-High populations of activists meaning it can be difficult and expensive
-Public may not have time to develop solutions to issues
-Wealthy groups can distort debates
-Public may be unwilling to make unpopular unnecessary decisions
-Avoid tyranny of majority

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5
Q

What is representatives democracy?

A

The people vote on a politicians who will represent their views

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6
Q

Advantages of representative democracy?

A

-More practice due to the population size
-Elected representatives have more experiences
-Representatives implement unpopular but necessary policies
-Held accountable for actions at next election
-Avoids tyranny of majority

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7
Q

What are disadvantages of representative democracy’s?

A

-Representatives may not represent public views
-Parties have influence over representatives
-Low public interest and participations can leave decisions to a small elite
-Elections can make it difficult for smaller parties to win meaning many views can go unrepresentative

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8
Q

Whats a referendum?- direct democracy?

A

A vote in which citizens are asked to decide a political question

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9
Q

Are referendums legally binding?

A

Only advisory to see if public wants a policy

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10
Q

Does parliament have a lot of power and influence over referendums?

A

Parliament is sovereign there for they have a lot of power, can decide what the referendum is, the wording of q’s and the timings

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11
Q

What types of issues are referendums in the USA?

A

Transferences of powers
Constitutional issues

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12
Q

What referendums issues are used in the US?

A

Social issues, same sex and legislation of marijuana

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13
Q

Why has their been an increase in referendums since 1997?

A

T Blair said that their will be more constitutional reforms
Our electorate are more educationally aware

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14
Q

Has the UK always been a representative democracy?

A

No in 1265-1832 less than 5% of the population had the right to vote
Now we’ve changed due to voting laws

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15
Q

If parliament was sovereign why are there so many other elections in the UK?

A

Because we have devolved parliament e.g. scott, welsh and n. ireland

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16
Q

2 theories on how MP’s should represent their constituents?

A

Delegate
Trustee

17
Q

What is the delegate theory?

A

Act on what the constitutency wants

18
Q

What does the trustee model?

A

Listen to constituents but vote on what they decide

19
Q

Apart from voting, how else can we participate in our representative democracy?

A

Volunteering
Donating
Electoral (writing letters, pressure groups and political parties)
-Consultations with the govt- e-petitions, boycott, march, strikes and the media