Democracy Flashcards
Define representation:
…
Define democracy:
System of rule based upon government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Key principles for a system to be democratic:
Political equality for all voters
Popular participation
Choice between different options for the voter
Define direct democracy:
Implies that all citizens have direct and continuous participation - involved in decision making process and do not rely on elected representatives
Define representative democracy:
Indirect form of democracy in which politicians act on behalf of, and are accountable to, the public
Define referendum:
Popular vote on a particular public policy issue.
Define power:
The ability to get someone or a group of people to do what you want them to - even if it is against their will
Define authority:
The right to tell people what to do because their is legitimacy eg authority for governments gained through elections
Define sovereignty:
Sovereignty refers to absolute and unlimited power
Define legitimacy:
Means rightfulness. Basis for political stability - in a democracy governments require legitimacy in order to have the authority to govern.
Advantages of representative democracy:
People cannot be regularly expected to make important decisions
Representatives have time and expertise to consider political issues rationally
Representatives have a role in educating public about political issues
Disadvantages of representative democracy:
Representatives may distort demands of the people
People may fail to respect decisions made by their representatives
Idea of the electoral mandate is flawed
Advantages of using referendums:
Purest form of democracy
As people make decision it is very legitimate
Useful in securing consent of the people
Give people opportunity to participate directly in politics
Disadvantages of referendums:
If become too frequent could be danger of ‘voter fatigue’
Undermines respect and authority for elected institutions
Represent ‘tyranny of the majority’
Issues may be too complex for average voter to understand
Democracy
Rule by the people
Direct democracy:
Obliterates the distinction between the government and the people
System of popular self-government as it is a form of democracy based on direct, unmediated and continuous participation of citizens in the tasks of government
Key features of direct democracy:
Direct - people ‘make’ policy decisions
Unmediated - people ‘are’ the government
Continuous - people engage in politics on a regular and ongoing basis
Advantages of direct democracy:
Increased political involvement
Truly represents the people
Knowing that your vote matters
Corruption is reduced
Disadvantages of direct democracy:
Simply impractical
Minority has no say
Not everyone has the skills
Extremely high costs involved
Parliamentary democracy:
Form of democracy that operates through a popularly elected deliberative assembly, which establishes an indirect link between government and he governed
Liberal democracy:
Indirect and representative form of democracy
Right to rule is gained through success in regular elections
6 core features of liberal democracy:
Competition for power between parties
Universal suffrage - everyone can vote
Civil liberties and individual rights
Constitutional government, based on formal, legal rights
Civil society - with a free media
Capitalist or private enterprise economy
Representative democracy:
Citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them
In Britain, for example, voters elect MPs to represent them
Advantages of representative democracy:
They are elected - easier if they make decisions
They are politically educated
Citizen representation
Disadvantages of representative democracy:
Acting on their consciousness
Misplaced trust
Majority rules
No accountability
Officials can do whatever they want
Referendums:
When a popular vote is held in which the people are asked to determine on an important political or constitutional issue
Initiatives:
Form of referendum that can be brought about by citizens
Core Features of the UK democratic system:
Democratic elections
Parliament
Pressure groups
Supplementary features of the UK democratic system:
Referendums
Devolution
European Parliament
Participation crisis:
Decline in turnout in general elections since 1959
Turnout during 2001 election was the lowest since 1918 at 59.4 %
Distinctions between direct and representative democracy:
Direct democracy purer
Referendums may carry more legitimacy than decisions made by government
DD tends to operate with constitutional change, whereas RD concerns day to day running of the country
Explaining liberal democracy:
Characterised by free and fair elections
Government is limited, usually by constitution
Government is accountable to the people
Rule of law applies with all citizens equal under the law - government itself subject to legal constraints therefore implying an independent judiciary
Explaining pluralist democracy:
Conforms to the principles of liberal democracy
Particular stress laid upon features such as fee elections
Implies multiculturalism
Arguments for further use of referendums to determine political issues in Britain:
Changes require the consent of the people
Increasing information available thus people are in a better position than ever before to assess political issues
Referendums represent purest form of democracy
Would bring Britain into line with modern practice
How representative is the UK system:
All represented equally by an MP
Elected Parliament and assemblies in Scotland, Wales and NI use fairer systems and give fairer representation
Many PGs with active support and membership who represent effectively the many interests and causes in society
HOL contains members who represent various sections of society
What extent has political participation declined in Britain:
Membership of PP has been falling dramatically and been rise in PG members
Parties finding it increasingly difficult to recruit candidates for election
Election turnout has been falling to 66% at last election in 2015
Referendums can improve participation in the following ways:
Direct form of democracy which gives the public direct control over decisions
Political education likely to improve as debate is focuses on a particular issue
Availability of an initiative system could lead to people feeling empowered
Referendums don’t improve democracy:
Turnout at Scottish and Welsh referendums doesn’t back up idea people more likely to vote in 1997 election
However SR in 2014 had an above average turnout 85%
Voter fatigue if used to often
Methods of improving participation:
Lower the voting age
E-democracy - ease of participation
Compulsory voting - increase due to threat
Change in the voting system - fewer safe seats
Points to suggest there is a democratic deficit in the UK:
Declining turnouts at all levels of elections
Wider political apathy
Deficit in political election as the wider public lack interest and knowledge in the political system
Lack of the widespread use of referenda for whole of the UK
Unfair voting system which creates an ‘undemocratic’ outcome for Westminster elections
Reasons why there is not a democratic deficit:
Reforms taken place to develop democracy such as devolution
New systems of PR has been introduced
Reform of second chamber underway
Widespread PG membership and activity ensure no democratic deficit
How could the current system be criticised as not conforming to liberal democratic ideals?
Still no written constitution
Parliament as a whole remains weak
Blair almost presidential in style
Do not have enough parties to truly represent the diverse views of the electorate
