Democracy (1918) Flashcards
Intro (background)
A democracy can be defined as a system in which the people have some say or influence in politics.
Intro (background)
In 1850, Britain was far from being a “democracy”; politics were reserved only for the wealthy elite in a system which was rife with corruption.
Intro (factors)
In order to establish how far Britain had become a democracy, it is necessary to to look at a number of different factors: the right to vote, free and fair elections, equal constituencies, the opportunity to become an MP and the House of Lords.
Intro (argument)
However, within the next century it is possible to argue that the British political system gradually evolved towards greater democracy but by 1918 was still not totally democratic.
Right to Vote (link)
Probably the most important democratic right is the right to vote with universal suffrage.
Right to Vote (knowledge)
Without this right the people of a country cannot influence political decisions. The franchise was extended a number of times.
Right to Vote (knowledge)
In 1867 most skilled working class men in towns got the vote meaning that 1 in 3 men could vote. In 1884, most men in the countryside were added to the franchise. In 1918, men over 21 and women over 30 got the vote.
Right to Vote (analysis)
This was important because a much wider electorate had been created and voting was no longer confined to the privileged few. Working class voters now outnumbered the wealthy and middle and upper classes.
Right to Vote (analysis +)
However, there was not yet universal suffrage as many younger women had to wait until 1928 to receive the vote on an equal footing with men. Furthermore, undemocratic practices such as plural voting still continued so the principle of “one person, one vote” had not been achieved.
Right to Vote (evaluation)
Clearly, by 1918, Britain had made significant steps towards becoming a “true democracy” but still fell short of providing equal voting rights for all its citizens for example, only 40% of women could vote.
Free and Fair elections (link)
For a country to be democratic people have to be able to vote in elections free of intimidation or bribery.
Free and Fair Elections (knowledge)
The unfair practice of open public voting in a hustings was ended in 1872 when the Secret Ballot Act allowed people to vote in private for the first time.
Free and Fair Elections (knowledge)
In 1883 the corrupt and illegal practices act made bribery, treating and election fraud criminal offences so they were cut out almost completely.
Free and Fair Elections (analysis)
This was important because voters now had the freedom to cast their vote without the threat of losing their home or job or being enticed to vote for the wealthiest candidate.
Free and Fair Elections (analysis +)
However, politicians found new ways to persuade people to vote for them: Politicians such as William Gladstone now began to ‘reach out’ to the voters by making speeches and making pledges to the voters.
Free and Fair Elections (evaluation)
Overall, Britain was making great steps towards becoming a true democracy, however the lack of universal suffrage meant not everyone could vote in them making them less democratic.
Equal Constituencies (link)
Another key factor in the development of a democracy was equal constituencies.
Equal Constituencies (knowledge)
The 1832 Reform Act abolished “rotten boroughs” meaning towns with very few voters no longer had large amounts of MPs that could buy their way to victory.
Equal Constituencies (knowledge)
In 1867 industrial towns gained more MPs meaning they could have a bigger say in British politics. But it was the 1885 Redistribution Act that created equal constituencies.
Equal Constituencies (analysis)
This was important because large cities like London or Glasgow now had enough MPs to suit their population (one MP per 50 000 people) and this made it easier for people to voice their concerns in parliament.
Equal Constituencies (analysis +)
However,Universities such as Oxford University and Cambridge University remained university constituencies which elected a MP.
Equal Constituencies (evaluation)
Therefore, every town/city in Britain had an MP(s) that was easy to access making Britain more democratic.
Opportunity to Become and MP (link)
For Britain to be democratic, then everyone should be able to become an MP.
Opportunity to Become and MP (knowledge)
The 1911 Payment of MPs Act provided £400 and allowed working class men to become MPs, this meant that men could become MPs without having to worry about income.
