Democracy Flashcards
Define Democracy - Etymology?
Comes from Demos (people) and Kratos (power). Means ruled by the people.
What are the key principles of democracy?
Decisions are made by the people and Everyone has free and equal opportunity to influence political decisions.
Why as Ancient Greece form of direct democracy not democratic by today’s standards?
Not everyone could vote. Slaves and women were not allowed to vote.
What is direct democracy?
Direct democracy is unmediated, the people make decisions directly without electing representatives. Direct democracy is continuous, all decisions must be made by the people.
Disadvantages of Direct Democracy
Direct democracy takes more time and effort than many people in modern society are willing to devote, as they have jobs. Populations are now also far too big to facilitate open communication between every citizen in one place.
What are the benefits of direct democracy?
- it is pure democracy
- improves political education
- removes dependence on politicians
- legitimises political decisions
How is direct democracy used in modern times to supplement representative democracy?
Referendums are the biggest example of direct democracy in modern politics.
What is representative democracy?
Representative democracy is a form of democracy that is
- Indirect; as they elect officials to act on their behalf
- Mediated; as the people are linked to government
- Limited; as action is restricted to voting every few years
What are the benefits of Representative democracy?
- It is practicable, as direct democracy does not work on large scale.
- Government by experts
- Allows ordinary citizens to focus on things other than politics
- Gives political stability by distancing citizens from politics. Apathy is useful.
What are the Core Features of the UK’s Democratic System?
Democratic Elections, Parliament and Pressure Groups.
What are the Supplementary Features of the UK Democratic System?
Referendums, Devolution and The EU Parliament.
What makes an election democratic?
- Free, fair and regular elections
- Universal Suffrage
- Party Competition to give voters choice
What makes elections ‘free and fair’?
- The secret ballot
- ‘One person, One vote’
- Proportional representation
- The Electoral Commission
What may be seen as challenging the ‘free and fair’-ness of the electoral process of the UK ?
- Unelected bodies like the House of Lords
- First Past the Post (Wasted Votes and lack of Proportionality)
Why does the UK not strictly have universal suffrage?
The homeless, mentally ill, convicts and members of the House of Lords cannot vote.
Evidence in the UK that there is electoral choice and competition?
- Recent victory of SNP over Labour in Scotland
- Emergence in popularity of Greens and UKIP
- Anyone can start a party, given the support.
Evidence that there is not electoral choice and competition in the UK?
- Two Party System
- FPTP stops smaller parties getting traction
- ‘Consensus Politics’ means any choice from major parties will give the same result.
What is parliamentary democracy?
A form of democracy that operates through a popularly elected deliberative assembly which establishes a link between government and the governed.
Why has Parliament been questioned in its ole in promoting democracy?
The House of Lords, The Party System and The level of executive control due to lack of separation of powers.
Why does the House of Lords threaten democracy?
The House of Lords is entirely unelected, which weakens the representative role of parliament.
Why does the Party System threaten the integrity of democracy in Parliament?
Party Discipline prevents MPs from using their own judgement in representing their constituents and voting based on their own opinions.
Why does Executive Control threaten the integrity of democracy in Parliament?
Due to the lack of separation of powers, the party in the executive also often holds a majority in the House of Commons, so parliament cannot effectively scrutinise the executive.
How do pressure groups strengthen democracy in the UK.
- They give a voice to minorities that are ignored usually
- Allows citizens to participate more frequently than voting every 5 years
- Promote pluralism; providing more channels to influence politics for the average person.
What is statistical evidence that Pressure Groups are good for political participation?
Electoral turnout is generally falling but pressure group membership has been generally rising since the 60s
What are the main criticisms of pressure groups promoting democracy in the UK?
Power without electIon, undermining parliamentary sovereignty, unaccountability and weak internal democracy.
Define a Referendum
A referendums is a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. They are often used to decide on major constitutional change like changing the election system.
How does devolution improve democracy?
Allowed Scotland NI and Wales to express views about their own ‘National’ issues through individual assemblies. Widened political channels and improved participation.
How has Devolution NOT improved democracy?
Devolved assemblies are far from home rule, and have much less power. Devolution has also done nothing to advance democracy in England.
How have EU Parliament Elections not helped democracy?
EU Parliament could be seen to undermine the power of parliamentary sovereignty.
List the advantages of Referendums in enhancing democracy
Direct Domcracy, Increasing Political Education, Increased government responsiveness, reduced government power and allows constitutional changes.
List the ways Referendums may weaken democracy
Decisions may be ill informed, it undermines parliament, allows governments to be irresponsible, strengthen governments, gives unreliable views.
How may referendums make the government more responsive?
They force governments to listen to the public in between elections and allow the public to express their opinion on particular subjects which cannot be done in elections.
How may referendums make the government weaker?
Government does not have much control over he outcome of elections because citizens have all of the decision making power.
How might referendums encourage political education?
Members of the public have a stronger incentive to learn about the issue in question in order to give an educated vote.
How might referendums result in ill-informed decisions?
The general public is not as well informed as politicians and some argue they may not make the decision that is most beneficial.
How do referendums allow the government to be irresponsible?
They can pass off any difficult decisions that may make them unpopular onto a referendum so they are absolved of blame if it goes wrong.
Why may the views expressed in referendums be unreliable?
They only give a snapshot of the opinions of the public at any one point, so they are unreliable for making long term decisions.
What are the arguments for lowering the voting age?
- Encourages stronger political engagement
- Many say the cut off age is irrational and arbitrary
- Otherwise, youth interests are ignored
- Currently youth have ‘responsibilities without rights’
What does ‘Responsibilities without Rights’ mean in relation to lowering the voting age?
Youth can join the army, leave home and get married at 16, but they can’t vote.
What are the arguments against lowering the voting age?
- Immaturity amongst 16-17s
- preservation of ‘childhood’
- undermining turnout, as many young people may not vote.
What are the advantages of ‘e-democracy’?
Easier participation and organisation, and better access to information.
What are the disadvantages of ‘e-democracy’?
May be liable to electoral malpractice.
What are the advantages of Compulsory Voting?
- Increased participation
- Greater legitimacy
- Improves sense of civic duty
What are the disadvantages of Compulsory Voting?
- Abuse of freedom
- Worthless votes
- Distorted Political Focus
How could compulsory voting lead to distorted political focus?
It may cause politicians to focus on policy that will sway the marginal, previously non voting population, rather than the mass of the electorate.
How could compulsory voting lead to worthless votes?
Many previous non-voters may cast a random vote simply to avoid punishment, or because they are resentful about being forced to vote.
