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democracy Flashcards

1
Q

what is democracy?

A

people power/rule, people determine laws and regulations under which they live

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2
Q

what is direct democracy?

A

people vote on individual laws, make decisions directly on a specific issue

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3
Q

what is representative democracy?

A

where people vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf

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4
Q

what is an example of direct democracy?

A

referendums, online polls

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5
Q

how does public feeling influence direct democracy?

A

people swept up by speeches or specific issue so vote emotionally not in educated way

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6
Q

why is direct democracy impractical?

A

people don’t have the time to be voting on every law that is passed, time consuming

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7
Q

how is tyranny of the majority linked to direct democracy?

A

side of vote that gets most votes is implemented despite all of the people who voted against it e.g Brexit 52% leave, 48% stay but still left

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8
Q

who represents peoples views in the UK?

A

MPs

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9
Q

how did Brexit show a difference in belief between the representatives and the population?

A

population voted to leave, no major party uniformly supported leave, many MPs wanted remain

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10
Q

why is representative democracy more practical?

A

people only have to vote every 5 years or so

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11
Q

how are people represented by their representatives?

A

vote for person who best represents them, representative debates and votes on issues on behalf of people

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12
Q

how do people hold their representatives to account?

A

if they don’t like what they do can vote for someone else in next election

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13
Q

why is it good that representatives debate on issues rather than people?

A

they are educated, intelligent people, gone into this line of work specifically, make rational decisions based on what people say

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14
Q

why is the process of choosing an MP arguable undemocratic?

A

usually the winner gets less than 50% of vote but still wins because has biggest share, most people actually disagree with them and don’t want them to represent them

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15
Q

why does a representative democracy not represent everyone?

A

some people live in area where MP does not represent their views, minority groups underrepresented

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16
Q

how does the Brexit referendum show that direct democracy doesn’t work?

A

52% leave 48% remain still left, tyranny of majority, only 37.7% of population voted not actually representing views of all people at all

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17
Q

what is a liberal democracy?

A

right to vote widespread and representatives act in interests of everyone in society

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18
Q

what is a majoritarian democracy?

A

system whereby will or desires of majority of population are the prime considerations for gov

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19
Q

what is a parliamentary democracy?

A

system where parliament is highest form of authority

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20
Q

what country is an example of a parliamentary democracy?

A

UK

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21
Q

what is a presidential democracy?

A

system where executive elected separately from legislatively body, so chosen by and directly accountable to the people

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22
Q

what is a pluralist democracy?

A

system where there is competition between different groups who represent popular concerns to gov of the day

23
Q

what are the functions of democracy?

A

representation
accountability
participation
power dispersal
legitimacy
education

24
Q

what is seen as the purest form of democracy?

A

direct democracy

25
Q

what are the arguments in favour of direct democracy?

A

pure form of democracy
increased legitimacy
improves participation
increases public engagement
improves political education
it works

26
Q

how does direct democracy increase legitimacy?

A

decisions more legitimate as have support of majority of people, people actually make the decision

27
Q

how does direct democracy improve participation?

A

people have more opportunities to be involved in issues that affect them, if they can make decisions more likely to

28
Q

how does direct democracy increase public engagement?

A

regular public debates and discussions of issues make people more involved

29
Q

how does direct democracy improve political education?

A

people need to be informed to make decisions, people more likely to educate themselves to make right decision

30
Q

what are the arguments against direct democracy?

A

not practical
tyranny of majority
undermines elected representatives
low turnouts
emotional responses
populist outcomes

31
Q

how does direct democracy undermine elected representatives?

A

representatives less accountable pass responsibility of difficult decisions to public, less responsibility for policy decisions

32
Q

why is low turnout a bad thing for direct democracy?

A

means small group of people makes decision that affects everyone, undermines legitimacy of decisions being made

33
Q

how does direct democracy lead to populist outcomes?

A

people vote on short term measures that benefit them rather than consider national interest and long term good solutions for everyone

34
Q

what are the positive aspects of democracy in the UK?

A

free and fair elections
turnout
universal suffrage
party system
pressure groups
parliamentary sovereignty
devolution

35
Q

how are free and fair elections a positive aspect of democracy in the UK?

A

variety of elections allow people to choose representatives for local and national levels, many opportunities for people to participate + be educated

36
Q

what is purdah?

A

period before an election where councils and parties can’t make any new statements or proposals that could affect the way people vote

37
Q

how has turnout been increasing, why is this good for democracy?

A

2001-59%
2010-65%
2017-69%
scottish independence referendum-84.6%
EU referendum-72%
more people participating

38
Q

how is universal suffrage a positive aspect of democracy?

A

everyone 18 or over has right to vote, all votes equal in value, no distinctions based on wealth, gender etc

39
Q

how is the party system a positive aspect of democracy?

A

gives people wide range of options to vote on, drive public education, raise profile of political issues

40
Q

how are pressure groups a positive aspect of democracy?

A

provide alternative avenue for representation, mouthpiece for minority interests, raise public awareness, develop gov policies, educate electorate

41
Q

how does parliamentary sovereignty ensure democracy is accountable?

A

parliament holds legal sovereignty, representatives/gov accountable to parliament, gov must get consent from Commons so consent indirectly from people

42
Q

how has devolution improved democracy in the UK?

A

constituent parts of UK can make decisions on a local basis, better quality representation, can respond to local issues

43
Q

what are the negative aspects of democracy in the UK?

A

unelected elements
turnout
West Lothian Question + EVEL
Voting system
lack of meaningful choice
elitist pressure groups
weaknesses of electoral commission
lack of entrenched rights

44
Q

what unelected elements undermine democracy? how?

A

monarchy and unelected Lords, have not been selected to represent society, Lords can have say on legislation still

45
Q

what is a democratic deficit?

A

describes undemocratic nature of institutions or procedures that are supposed to promote democracy

46
Q

what is a participation crisis?

A

failure of public to participate in the political process which can undermine democratic legitimacy

47
Q

why is low voter turnout a negative aspect of democracy?

A

raises questions about the legitimacy of the decisions made and representative elected, can lead to tyranny of majority

48
Q

how is the West Lothian Q + EVEL à negative aspect of democracy in UK?

A

Scottish, Welsh, NI + London MPs can vote on issues that don’t affect their constituents, MPs making decisions about things that affect people that cant hold them accountable

49
Q

why is the voting system (FPTP) bad for democracy, what are its flaws?

A

wasted votes- votes for candidates that didn’t win have no meaning
safe seats- people see no point in voting for other party
unrepresentative - small parties gain less seats, support not concentrated
winners bonus- exaggerates support received by winning party, wins more seats than votes
discriminated against parties with widespread support- not concentrated won’t win seat
minority constituencies- MP most votes but not over 50%
two party system

50
Q

why is there lack of meaningful choice in the UK? how does this affect democracy?

A

only 2 parties have realistic chance of gaining power
many people vote for these parties even if they don’t agree so as not to waste their vote

51
Q

why are elitist pressure groups a negative part of democracy?

A

tend to dominate political debate at expense of other interests
have insider status, more members, wealth etc
other issues not talked about

52
Q

why are rights not entrenched in the UK?what can this mean?

A

uncodified constitution, can be overturned by gov, undermines principle of democracy that citizens rights are protect from gov abuse

53
Q

what are the positive aspects of representative democracy?

A

représentatives have superior judgement
politicians and pressure groups give choice
practical
rational judgements
representatives can mediate between sections of society
representatives accountable through elections

54
Q

what are the negative aspects of representative democracy?

A

représentatives may not accurately represent demands of people
minorities underrepresented
party représentation stops representatives acting independently
reduced participation
politicians not always accountable

politics (10 decks)

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