Democracy

Question 1

What are the 2 types of democracy?

Answer 1

Direct democracy and Representative democracy

Question 2

What is direct and representative democracy?

Answer 2

Direct - In which individuals express their opinions themselves

Representative - In which people elect representatives who take decisions on their behalf

Question 3

Give 2 advantages of direct democracy

Answer 3

1) Gives equal weight to all votes
2) Encourages popular participation in politics by the public.
3) Removes the need for trusted representatives.
4) Develops a sense of community.

Question 4

Give 2 disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 4

1) Impractical in a large, heavily populated modern state where decision making is complicated.
2) Many people won’t want to (or feel qualified to) take part in decision making.
3) Open to manipulation by the cleverest and most articulate speakers.
4) Minority viewpoints are disregarded.

Question 5

Give 2 advantages of representative democracy

Answer 5

1) The only practical system in a large modern state, where issues are complex.
2) Politicians form parties, bringing coherence whilst pressure groups form to represent different interests, encouraging pluralist democracy.
3) Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by ‘tyranny of the majority’.
4) Elections allow people to hold representatives to account.
5) Politicians are better informed than the average citizen normally.

Question 6

Give 2 disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 6

1) May lead to reduced participation as people choose to hand responsibility to politicians.
2) Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites pursuing their own agendas, not truly representing the people.
3) Minorities may still find themselves underrepresented as politicians are more likely to follow the views of the majority to secure election.
4) Politicians are skilful in avoiding accountability, especially as general elections are five years apart in the UK.
5) They can also be corrupt and incompetent and can betray election promises.

Question 7

What are the positives and negatives of the UK democratic system?

Answer 7

Devolved governments, independent judiciary, free media, fair elections and a wide range of political parties and pressure groups

Underrepresentation of minority viewpoints under the FPTP system, House of Lords lacks democratic legitimacy, lack of protection for citizens’ rights