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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
what are the arguments in favour of direct democracy?
pure form of democracy increased legitimacy improves participation increases public engagement improves political education it works
26
how does direct democracy increase legitimacy?
decisions more legitimate as have support of majority of people, people actually make the decision
27
how does direct democracy improve participation?
people have more opportunities to be involved in issues that affect them, if they can make decisions more likely to
28
how does direct democracy increase public engagement?
regular public debates and discussions of issues make people more involved
29
how does direct democracy improve political education?
people need to be informed to make decisions, people more likely to educate themselves to make right decision
30
what are the arguments against direct democracy?
not practical tyranny of majority undermines elected representatives low turnouts emotional responses populist outcomes
31
how does direct democracy undermine elected representatives?
representatives less accountable pass responsibility of difficult decisions to public, less responsibility for policy decisions
32
why is low turnout a bad thing for direct democracy?
means small group of people makes decision that affects everyone, undermines legitimacy of decisions being made
33
how does direct democracy lead to populist outcomes?
people vote on short term measures that benefit them rather than consider national interest and long term good solutions for everyone
34
what are the positive aspects of democracy in the UK?
free and fair elections turnout universal suffrage party system pressure groups parliamentary sovereignty devolution
35
how are free and fair elections a positive aspect of democracy in the UK?
variety of elections allow people to choose representatives for local and national levels, many opportunities for people to participate + be educated
36
what is purdah?
period before an election where councils and parties can’t make any new statements or proposals that could affect the way people vote
37
how has turnout been increasing, why is this good for democracy?
2001-59% 2010-65% 2017-69% scottish independence referendum-84.6% EU referendum-72% more people participating
38
how is universal suffrage a positive aspect of democracy?
everyone 18 or over has right to vote, all votes equal in value, no distinctions based on wealth, gender etc
39
how is the party system a positive aspect of democracy?
gives people wide range of options to vote on, drive public education, raise profile of political issues
40
how are pressure groups a positive aspect of democracy?
provide alternative avenue for representation, mouthpiece for minority interests, raise public awareness, develop gov policies, educate electorate
41
how does parliamentary sovereignty ensure democracy is accountable?
parliament holds legal sovereignty, representatives/gov accountable to parliament, gov must get consent from Commons so consent indirectly from people
42
how has devolution improved democracy in the UK?
constituent parts of UK can make decisions on a local basis, better quality representation, can respond to local issues
43
what are the negative aspects of democracy in the UK?
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
what unelected elements undermine democracy? how?
monarchy and unelected Lords, have not been selected to represent society, Lords can have say on legislation still
45
what is a democratic deficit?
describes undemocratic nature of institutions or procedures that are supposed to promote democracy
46
what is a participation crisis?
failure of public to participate in the political process which can undermine democratic legitimacy
47
why is low voter turnout a negative aspect of democracy?
raises questions about the legitimacy of the decisions made and representative elected, can lead to tyranny of majority
48
how is the West Lothian Q + EVEL à negative aspect of democracy in UK?
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
why is the voting system (FPTP) bad for democracy, what are its flaws?
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
why is there lack of meaningful choice in the UK? how does this affect democracy?
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
why are elitist pressure groups a negative part of democracy?
tend to dominate political debate at expense of other interests have insider status, more members, wealth etc other issues not talked about
52
why are rights not entrenched in the UK?what can this mean?
uncodified constitution, can be overturned by gov, undermines principle of democracy that citizens rights are protect from gov abuse
53
what are the positive aspects of representative democracy?
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
what are the negative aspects of representative democracy?
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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