Democracy and particapation

Question 1

Advantages of direct democracy

Answer 1

• Purest form of democracy
• It can avoid delay and deadlock within the political system
• More legitimacy

Question 2

Disatvantages of direct democracy

Answer 2

• Can lead to tyranny of the majority
• People may be easily swayed by emotial appeals
• Some issues are too complex

Question 3

Advantages of representative democracy

Answer 3

• More knowledge
• Representative can be held accountable
• Representatives can protect the views of the minority

Question 4

Disadvantages of Representative democracy

Answer 4

• Representatives may be selfish
• Difficult to hold accountable between elections
• Public disengaged

Question 5

What makes up a liberal democracy?

Answer 5

1) Peaceful transition of power
2) Free elections
3) Fair elections
4) Widespread particapation in politics
5) Freedom of expression
6) Rule of law
7) Protection of rights and liberties
8) Freedom of association
9) A constitution
10) Independent judiciary

Question 6

What is democratic deficit?

Answer 6

A flaw in the democratic process where decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy, due to not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input or not being subject to accountability.

Question 7

Should UK introduce compulsary voting?
Arguments for

Answer 7

• May force more voters to be more informed
• By increasing turnout you increase legitimacy
• Voting is a civic duty

Question 8

Should Uk introduce compulsary voting?
Arguments against

Answer 8

• It is a civil liberties violation. It is basic right not to particapate.
• Many voters are not well informed. Ill - informed participation
• Large number of public expenditure to administer and enfroce the system
• Would favour larger parties over smaller ones.

Question 9

How many signatures does a petition need to be considered for a parliamentary debate and to receive a government response?

Answer 9

10,000 to receive a response.
100,000 to be debated

Question 10

What is Franchise/Suffrage?

Answer 10

Both refer to the ability/right to vote in public elections. Suffragettes were women campaigning for the right to vote on the same terms as men.

Question 11

What was the Second reform act 1867?

Answer 11

This act extends the right to vote. Though only doubles the electorate to 2 million. Women, Propertyless and tenants of very cheap properties are excluded.

Question 12

What was the Great reform act 1832?

Answer 12

Franchise is extended to new classes of people including shopkeepers and small farmers and anyone whose property attracts a rent of at least £10 per annum. Increased to 6% of the population from the previous 4%. Women arent allowed.

Question 13

What was the Ballot act 1872?

Answer 13

This introduces the secret ballot.

Question 14

What was the Third Reform Act 1884?

Answer 14

Franchise is extended to most working men. About 60% of all adults (Over 21) have the right to vote.

Question 15

What was the Representation of the people act 1918?

Answer 15

Most adult men are given the right to vote, plus women over the age of 30 who are either married or a property owner.

Question 16

What was the epresentation of people Act (Equal Franchise Act) 1928?

Answer 16

Etends franchise to all adults over 21 Including women.

Question 17

What was the Representation of the people Act 1969?

Answer 17

Voting age lowered to 18

Question 18

What was the Scottish Elections Act 2016?

Answer 18

16 and 17 year olds can vote in all scottish elections.

Question 19

Should 16- and 17-year-olds be given the right to vote?
Argumens for

Answer 19

• Young people are now better informed
• 18-24 turnout is very low. May encourage more people to vote
• If one is old enough to serve in the army, get married or pay tax, one should be old enough to vote.
• Radicalism of the young could be used to balance the extreme conservatism of the elderly

Question 20

Should 16- and 17-year-olds be given the right to vote?
Argumens against

Answer 20

• 16 and 17 year olds are too young to be able to make rational decisions
• Many issues are too complex
• Few people in this age group pay tax. Lower stake in society
• Young tend to be excessively radical.

Question 21

What is a casual Group and bring examples

Answer 21

An association whose goal is to promote a particular cause or set of beliefs or values.
I.e.
-Greenpeace
- Friends of the Earth
- Liberty
- Unlock Democracy
- PETA
- CND

Question 22

What is a sectional Group, give examples

Answer 22

An association that has identifiable membership group. Such groups represent a section of society.
I.e.
- Age Uk
- BMA
- Muslim council of Britain
- Taxpayers’ alliance
- CBI

Question 23

What are some factors of success for pressure groups?

Answer 23

• Size of membership
• Finance
• Strategic position of a particular sectional group
• Public mood
• Attitude of the government

Question 24

Do pressure groups Enhance democracy?
Arguments for

Answer 24

• They help to disperse power and influence more widely
• They educate the public about important political issues
• Give more opportunities for people
• Can promote and protect interests and rights of minorities
• Help call government to account

Question 25

Do pressure groups Enhance democracy?
Arguments against

Answer 25

• Some groups are elitist and tend to concentrate power in too few hands
• Influential groups may distort information in their own interests
• Groups that are internally undemocratic may not accurately represent the views of their members and supporters
• Groups that are wealthy may wield a disproportionate amount of influence
• Illegal activities may undermine the freedom and rights of other citizens.

Question 26

What is a think tank? Give examples

Answer 26

A body of experts brought together to collectively focus on certain topics.
E.g.
Neutral:
- ResPublica - General policy issues
- Demos - Current political issues
- Centre for social Justice - Policy on welfare issues
Left - Wing:
- Fabian Society - Issues concerning social justice and equality
RIght - Wing:
- Adam Smith Institute - Free market solutions
Liberal:
- Reform - Concerned with policies on welfare, public servies and economic management

Question 27

What are the lobbyists? Give examples

Answer 27

A lobbyist is paid by clients to try to influence the government and/or MPs and members of the house of lords to act in their clients interests.
E.g.
- The Cicero Group: Financial servies, infrastructure companies, energy and transport
- Adam Smith: former SpAd who lobbies for paddy power
- PLMR: Specialises in political lobbying and media relations

Question 28

What are Civil liberties? And give examples

Answer 28

Rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens that protect them from unfair and arbitrary treatment by the state. Those freedoms that are guaranteed by State and Constitution.
I.e
Freedom of speech
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of press

Question 29

What are civil rights? Give examples

Answer 29

Right that are protected by the government.
I.e.
- Right to life
- Freedom from discrimination
- Right to equal treatment

Question 30

What should both Civil rights and liberties be? Explain them

Answer 30

. Absolute - Cannot be compromised or diminished in any way
. Universal - Applied to everyone
. Fundamental - Essential part of life and cannot be removed for any reason.

Question 31

When was Freedom of information Act 2000 used?

Answer 31

Daily Telegraph to reveal and publicise the MPs’ expenses scandal of 2009.

Question 32

What are the strengths of Rights in the UK?

Answer 32

• Strong common law tradition
• The UK is subject to the European convention on human Rights
• Judiciary has a reputation for being independent and upholding the rule of law even against the wishes of government and parliament.
• Principle of equal rights is clearly established.

Question 33

What are weaknesses of Rights in the UK?

Answer 33

• Common law can be vague and disputed
• Parliament remains sovereign and so can ignore ECHR