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POLITICS UK > Democracy > Flashcards

Democracy Flashcards

1
Q

2 types of democracy?

A

Representative

Direct

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2
Q

Features of direct democracy?

A

Popular participation is direct- people make policy decisions rather than chosing people to decided on their behalf
Popular participation is unmediated- people ARE the govrnment- no proffessional politicains
Popular participation is continuous; an ongoing and regular political engagement
Therefore it eradicates distinction between people and the government

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3
Q

Features of representative democracy?

A

A limited and indirect form of democracy
Representatives speak for, and act on behalf of, the people
Process that representatives are chosen/can be removed= v important (normally done through regular and popular elections)
Popular participation is indirect
Popular participation is mediated- the people are linked to the government through representative institutions
Popular participation is limited (to the process of voting for representatives)

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4
Q

Democratic conditions for elections?

A

Free, fair and regular- voters can express their own views
Universal suffrage- every adult can vote
Party and candidate competition- voters have a choice

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5
Q

What is a liberal democracy?

A

Special form of representative democracy- representative democracy as well as limited government; balances the need for popular gov (democracy) and the desire to protect the individual)
Eg constitutional democracy and majoritarian democracy

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6
Q

Constitutional democracy?

A

A form of democracy that operates within a clear constitutional framework that both disperses government power and protects minorities/ individuals

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7
Q

Majoritarian democracy?

A

Based on the principle of majority rule- emphasises the general/collective interests of society rather than particular interests

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8
Q

Benefits of direct democracy?

A

Genuine democracy- ensures people only obey the laws that they make themselves; popular participation allows the people to determine their ‘general will’
Personal development- increases knowledge and encourages people to take more interest in politics and better understand their society
End of professional politics- removes public officials who can distort public opinion to better their own interests by promoting their personal views
Legitimate government- people are more likely to accept the decisions made as they take the responsibility for them..leads to greater stability

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9
Q

Benefits of representative democracy?

A

Practicable- direct democracy is only achievable in small communities (esp one governed by mass meetings); this can operate in large modern societies
Government by experts- poiticans have better education and expertise than the mass of people; they can therefore govern for the people using their superior understanding to act in public interest
Division of labour- Direct democracy means politics becomes the job for all citizens restricting their ability to carry out their other duties and activities; representative democracy is more efficient (no daily decision making burden, just the choice of representative)
Political stability- maintain political stability by helping distance ordinary citizens from politics; encourages them to accept compromise as the more involved they are, the more passionate and committed they become
Ie a certain level of apathy is key in maintaining political stability

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10
Q

Core features of UK democracy?/elements that enhance it?

A

Democratic elections
Parliament
PGs

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11
Q

Supplementary features of UK democracy?

A

European Parliament
Devlolution
Referendums

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12
Q

What makes an election democratic?

A

Free and fair
Univeral suffrage
Candidate choice

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13
Q

Is UK election fair?

A

YES- 1948: one person one vote
1872- introduction of secret ballot
2000- establishment of the Electoral Commission
2011- FTPA

NO- Non elected bodies (HoL, monarchy)
FPTP for Westminister
Electoral malpractise

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14
Q

Universal suffrage in the UK secured by?

A

1928- equal voting rights for men and women

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15
Q

BUT is there universal suffrage in the UK?

A

Unenfranchised- until recently this inc homeless people (needed a home to register electorally). Still includes imprisoned convicts, HoL members, mentally incapacitated
Non voting- universal suffrage doesn’t ensure participation; participation is lowest among poor

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16
Q

Electoral choice in the UK?

A

YES- many parties
NO- 2 party system
Move towards consensus politics- little to choose between the policies of the main two parties

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17
Q

What does Parliament do?

A

Upholds representative and responsible governemnt
Links government to the people- the main chamber is elected therefore it upholds representatve function
Maintains deliberative democracy

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18
Q

What is deliberative democracy?

A

A form of democracy in which public interest is decided through debate, discussion and argument through representatives/ private citizens

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19
Q

But why does Parliament not enhance democracy?

A

HoL- second chamber is unelected, weakening the representative function
The party system- party discipline prevents MPs using their own judgment in votes and debate when representing their constitutients
Exec control- parliamentary scrutinty of exec is weakened as government usually have majority control of the Commons

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20
Q

What is Electoral Commission and what does it do?

A

Established in 2000
Independent body
Reviews operation of the UK’s democratic process and makes recommendations to strenghten democracy
Sets standards for operation of elections and referendums and reports on how well these are met
Must be consulted on changes to election law and electoral procedures
Registers political parties
Makes people know how to register to vote

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21
Q

How do PGs strengthen democracy?

A

they link government to governed
They give a political voice to minorities (the voices which majoritarian parliamentary system tend to ignore)
Provide w way that citizens can exert influence between elections
Provide a vehicle for voter participation beyond ritualistic voting

22
Q

What is pluralist democracy?

A

A form of democracy that operates through organised groups articulating popular demands and ensuring government repsonsiveness

23
Q

How do PGs hinder democracy?

A

Concentrated power- financially powerful PGs can buy influence through funding political parties
Undermine parliament- through bypassing Parliament they undermine the representative process, weakening the role of elected MPs
Unaccountable- PG leaders aren’t elected..not democratically accountable

24
Q

What is parliamentary democracy?

A

Democracy form that operates through a popularly elected deliberative assembly establishing an indirect link between the governed and the government
Representative and responsible government- balances popular participation against elite rule
Gov is accountable- not directly to the people but to the people’s elected representatives

25
Q

what is a referendum?

A

A vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy (device of a direct democracy)
Can be advisory or binding
Can be used to raise issues for discussion rather than to confirm policy

26
Q

Difference between referendum and election?

A

Not filling a public office

No direct/reliable way of influencing the content of policy

27
Q

Why have referendums been increasingly used?

A

Growing issue of constitutional reform
1975 eletion on continued membership to the EEC
2011 AV
Localism Act 2011 means possibility of a local referendum on any local issue instigated by residents

28
Q

When was/what was devolution?

A

1999- creation of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly

29
Q

Pros of devolution?

A

Strengthens democracy- English MPs dominate HoCs- now they have a political voice for their distinctive interests
Refined representative democracy- Devolved citizens can now express views about national issues and UK issues
Widened opportunities for political participation- strengthens civil engagement and political education

30
Q

Cons of devolution?

A

-Limited powers- foreign policy and major econmic decisions left to Westminister; short of self-government
West Lothian question- Engish representative function now lacks?

31
Q

How does the European Parliament strengthen democracy?

A

UK can exert popular influence in the EU through elections to the EU
Introduced in 1979, fixed term- every 5 years
Since 1999 these elections done proportionally (England use Party List)- better for small parties

32
Q

How does the European Parliament not strengthen democracy?

A

It is the weakest of the EU institutions- little policy making influence and limited control over the European Commission..leads to a democratic deficit
Rule from Brussels impedes parliamentary sovereignty as it reduces the capacity of the UK to act as an independent democratic state

33
Q

European Parliament seat share?

A 
Since 2014 election, 
24 UKIP
20 Labour 
19 Conservative
turnout to election was 35.6%
34
Q

Differences betw majoritarian and constitutional democracy?

A

Majoritarian- protects society; parliamentary soverienty; majoritarian elections; single-party rule; centralised government
Constitutional- protects the individual; divided sovereignty; proportional elections; coalitions; fragmented government

35
Q

Participation crisis evidence?

A

2001 general election= 59%(lowest since 1918)
1945-92 avg turnout was avove 75%
Party membership fallen- Tory atm 100k (from 2.8m in the late 50s)

36
Q

Participation crisis getting better?

A

2010: 63.3%, 2015: 66.3%, 2017: 68.8%
EU referendum turnout- 72.2%

Labour party membership at 522k; Corbyn effect (rose by 35k 4 days after 2017 election) vs 190k (2015)

37
Q

Opposing participation crisis argument?

A

Not necessarily a decline in the overall level of political participation, but instead a shift from one form of participation to another-
As disillusionment and cynicism with party politics has grown, PGs have grown

38
Q

Explaining participation crisis?

A

Pubic- decline in ‘social capital’;greater emphasis on individualisation and people more concerned about themselves/immediate associates than the wider society
Media- creates cynicism amongst the public, leading to public disencharment with politics; media driven ‘culture of contempt’ in tabloid press; focus on scandals rather than policy
Politicians- lack of vision (a product of catch all parties); age of ‘spin’ (Tony Blair)- less trust worthy politicians; lack of choice (growth in consensus politics); electoral strategies (political parties might just target key voters and key seats in elections)

39
Q

How to enhance UK democracy

A

Referedums and other forms of direct participation
Lowering the voting age
Compulsory voting
Digital democracy

40
Q

Other forms of direct participation?

A

Focus groupsand opinon polls- small samples of populations chosen tor epresent the larger societiy
Introduction of recall elections for MPs- a special election precipated by a popular partition that forces an official to seek reelection before the end of their term in office (Recall of MPs Act 2015- 10% sign a petition, jail etc.)
E-petititons- securing 100k signatures would be passedto BBBC to be scheduled for debate

41
Q

For referendums?

A

Direct democacy- public view is properly and accurately articulated
Political education- debate on particular issue helps create a better informed and more politically engaged electorate
Responsive government- force gov to listen to public opinion between elections- during BREXIT very important considering both Labour and Tory leader wanted to remain
Reduced gov power- provide a check on government power; gov has less control over the outcome
Constitutional changes- they should be popularly endorsed as they affect the way that the country is governed and so are more improtant than ordinary laws; also ensures that any newly created body has democratic legitimacy

42
Q

Against referendums?

A

Ill informed decisions- compared to politicans, the public is ill-informed, poorly educated and lacks political experience- public interest therefore should be safeguarded by ‘gov by politicians’
Weakens parliament- referendums substitute direct democracy for parliamentary democracy
Irresponsible government- allow governments to absolve themselves of responsibility; as they are elected to govern, they sould make public decisions and be publically accountable for these decisions
Strengthens gov- they can extend gov power; govs decided when to hold them; they frame the question; they dominate publicity campaign (BUT Electoral Commission limits this)
Unreliable views- inappropriate for endorsing long term constitutional decisi ons as referendums provide a snapshot of public opinion at one point in time

43
Q

Voting age campaign?

A

The Votes at 16 campaign launched in 2003- wants voting aged lowered
Labour and lib dems all support it as well as lowering the candidacy age
Electoral Commission supports it

44
Q

Compulsory voting?

A

Compulsory in Australia, Spain, italy and France; enforcement consists of a fine- in Au it is of 20 dolars

45
Q

Pros of lowering the voting age?

A

Repsonsibility without rights- the minimum age to leave education, enter full time education, have sex, join the army, get married, leave home is 16
Youth interests are ignored- lack of representation for people betw 16-18 mean their interests are ignored; loweing the age gives greater attention to drug policy, education and social morality
Stronger politcial engagement- strengthen interet and understanding, help reoreintate politics around issues meaningful to young voters
Irrational cut off age- not a reflection of intellectual/educaational development; inconsistently applied if 16-17y/os are denied ability to vote because of their knowledge

46
Q

Against lowering the voting age?

A

-Immature voters; most young people are in full time education ad continue to live with their parents- they are not full citizens; unlikely to have interest/knowledge in politics
-Preserving childhood- not forcing adult responsibilities and choices on young people
Deferred representation- they will gain representation at 18..theyre not permenantly denied; 18 year olds are likely to be broadly in touch with the issues of 16 and 17 yos anyway
Undermining turnout- it could decline; as young voters are less likely to vote than older, 16-18yos might chose not vote. as voters who dont vote in their first eligible election are the most unreliable, it could create a generation of abstainers

47
Q

Forms of digital and e-democracy?

A

Online voting in eletions and referendums
E-petitions
The use of ICT to publicise, organise, lobby and fundraise
Accessing political info, news or comments
Social media to debate
Use of phones to organise political process

48
Q

For digital democracy?

A

Easier participation- allows citizens to express views easily; will increase participation rate and so levels of political education
Access to info- new technology massively enlarges citizens’ access to info- the internet makes specialist info available to the public; could make citizens active participants in politics rather than passive recipients
Ease of organisation- as opposed to normal referendums, virtual referendums using electronic democracy would be much cheaper and easier to organise and so could be held more frequently
Power to the people- decentralised and non-hierarchial activist politics

49
Q

Against digital democracy?

A

Electroal malpractise- sccrutiny and control of process becomes weaker; wider postal voting in the UK led to growing allegations of more malpractise and corruption; physical participation means people’s identites can be effectively checked
Virtual democracy- threatens to erode public element of politcial participation
Digital divide- access to new info and communication technology is not universal; would give rise to new patterns of political inequality- ‘information rich’ dominating ‘information poor’
Anti-democratic forces- internet can be used to spread political extermism (eg racial and religious intolerance)

50
Q

Three ways digital democracy can be used?

A

In a represetive model, it seeks to strengthen the operation of established democratic mechanisms (eg e-voting, e-petittions)
In a deliberative model it seeks to open up new opportunites for direct popular participation
In the activist model, it atempts to strengthen political and social movements to bolster citizen power more generally (online communities and ICT based protests)

51
Q

Brexit?

A

51.9 v 48.1

52
Q

Expenses scandal

A

2009
spent on 2 nd homes
duck houses dog food

POLITICS UK (7 decks)

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