Democracy and Participation Flashcards
Give 2 advantages of Representative Democracy
Accountability
Expertise
Practicality
Representation
Give 2 disadvantages of Representative Democracy
Delegates vs Trustees
Inaccurate Representation
Self Interest
Low Participation
Why is expertise a good thing in a Representative Democracy?
They have more knowledge than the majority of the electorate
The public can be educated on public policy and political issues
Why is representation a good thing in a representative democracy?
Minority interests are protected - Representatives can put together the interests of voters to make good policy proposals
What is a Delegate?
Someone who expresses the views of those they represent
What is a Trustee?
Someone who makes decisions based on what they think is best - may not represent the wishes of the voters
What percentage of MPs are privately educated vs the general public?
29% of MPs, 7% of the public
Give one example of substantive representation
David Cameron pushing through legislation to legalise gay marriage, despite not being gay
What was the turnout in the 2012 Police and Crime Commissioner election
15%
Give 3 features of a representative democracy
Regular and competitive elections
Protection of civil liberties
Elections contested by numerous political parties
Constitutional checks to prevent a concentration of power
An assembly reflects the make-up of society and passes laws
Pressure groups have the freedom to put forward their views
An independent judiciary
Give 3 examples of features of representative democracy being with-held in the UK
FPTP elections every 5 years
Established rights and freedoms - HRA 1998
Numerous political parties in elections
UK Constitution sets the boundaries of the democratic system
Political decisions are made by MPs
Presence of Pressure Groups
Judiciary is seperate from the executive and legislature
Give 2 advantages of Direct Democracy
Everyone in society participates
People directly make decisions in their interests
All citizens’ votes are equal
Purest form of democracy
Give 2 disadvantages of Direct Democracy
Impractical to achieve securely as it requires all citizens to be involved
Citizens become apathetic if they are asked to participate too often
People will vote in their own interests, not society’s
No minority voices hear - Tyranny of the Majority
Give 2 advantages of the election system in the UK
Free and fair, based on Universal suffrage, choice and party competition
FPTP simplicity, speed, constituency-MP link
The use of proportional representation for devolved election
Turnout is not high but is in line with many Western democracies
Give 2 disadvantages of the election system in the UK
FPTP is disproportionate and leave minor parties under-represented - leads to wasted votes
Health of representative democracy has been called into question by general public apathy
What percentage of votes were wasted in 2015 to a losing candidate
50%
Give 2 advantages of the current UK representation
UK Parliament represents constituents and holds the government to account
All citizens are represented by an MP and can expect their concerns to be taken up
Give 2 disadvantages of the current UK representation
Parliament can be ineffective in holding the government to account as it's dominated by the majority party The unelected HoL has the power to delay laws by up to 1 year Many MPs ignore their constituents' concerns as they hold 'safe seats' and want to remain loyal to their party Women, ethnic-minority and the working class are under-represented in Parliament
Give 2 acts which protect citizen rights
Human Rights Act 1998
Freedom of Information Act 2000 - government reveals information on how and why decisions were made on behalf of the people
Why are acts not protected in the UK
Human Rights Act is not entrenched, government can ignore rulings, Belmarsh Case
The Freedom of Information Act has too many loopholes which allow the government to futher their own interests
Give 1 advantage of UK Pressure Groups
Supplement democracy by giving a voice to minority groups, allowing citizens to exert influence in-between elections
Enhance democracy by ensuring political diversity
Give 1 disadvantage of UK Pressure Groups
Wealthy and powerful pressure groups may pursue their own interests
The leaders are not elected, accountable or under public scrutiny
Give 1 way in which the UK govt. is limited
The UK Constitution limits government and adapts to changing circumstances
Give 2 reasons why the UK govt. is not limited
There is no codified constitution, so power distribution is undefined
The fusion of executive and legislature creates an over-powerful executive
Give 1 advantage of the Independent Jury
The rule of law is protected by judicial independence to protect citizens and limit government
All governments are subject to law, upheld by judges via judicial review and the HRA
Give 1 disadvantage of the Independent Jury
Government has a role in appointing judges
What was the turnout in 1950 vs 2001
84% vs 59%
What has happened to participation in the last 50 years
It has fallen, but is beginning to rise again
What is it called when the public are disillusioned by the lack or core differences between political parties
Partisan Dealignment
What was the turnout in 2001 vs 2017
59% to 69%
What was the turnout in the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
85%
What is the current Labour Party membership
450,000
Give 2 reasons for anti-politics
Complacency within rich nations
A lack of interest in political institutions (youth)
People disliking the political elites and feeling they are taken for granted by broken promises and hunger for power
Voters not being committed to a party (partisan dealignment)
Give 3 ways to reform UK Democracy
Compulsory Voting
Lowering the voting age
eDemocracy
Give 2 advantages of compulsory voting
Governments claim greater legitimacy
Participation is a civic duty - wider education
Give 2 disadvantages of compulsory voting
Masks deeper engagement issues
Encourages non-serious voting
Violation of individual freedom
Give 2 advantages of lowering the voting age
Would match other aspects of citizenship available to 16 year olds
The needs, views, concerns and interests of 16-17 year olds are marginalised
May re-engage young voters
Give 2 disadvantages of lowering the voting age
Too young - most are in full-time education and live with their parents
Youth are less likely to vote - reduces overall turnout
Give 2 advantages of eDemocracy
Citizens can express their views without having to leave home
New technology enlarges citizens’ access to information
Creates a democratic process in which citizens are active participants in politics
Give 2 disadvantages of eDemocracy
Risk of hacking could undermine the legitimacy of elections - 2016 US election
Turns democracy into a series of push-button referendums, eroding its importance
Give 1 advantage of referenda
Gives legitimacy to decisions
Give 1 advantage of changing the voting system
Make citizens’ votes more valuable and proportionate to the country’s views
Name all 4 types of Pressure Groups
Sectional/Interest
Promotional/Cause
Insider
Outside
What are sectional/interest pressure groups
Membership is restricted. Aim to look after the interests of a particular group e.g. teachers
What are promotional/cause pressure groups
Open membership, seeking mass support. Have altruistic policies (benefit wider society)
What are insider pressure groups
Have a relationship with the government. Aims are compatible with government
What are outsider pressure groups
Not associated with government. Mobilise public opinion to put pressure on government
What are corporations
Seek to lobby the government to encourage them to influence certain areas e.g. Uber heavily lobbied the government after having their licence in London removed
What are lobbyists
Get paid to gain access to government. Lobbying companies tend to employ ex-politicians with insider links
What are think tanks
Privately funded, non-profit organisations who conduct research to influence policies e.g. The Centre for Policy Studies helps the Conservatives
Name 4 access points for pressure groups to exert influence
Government Parliament Political Parties Courts Devolved assemblies and local councils The media and public opinion The EU
Name 2 ways in which insider pressure groups may influence
Access to decision makers
Provide specialist information and advice regarding legislation
Targeting specific members of the HoC, HoL, EU and so on
Name 3 ways in which outsider pressure groups may influence
Mass public campaigns - 36 million people campaigned against the Iraq War in 2003
Publicity stunts
Social media, e-petitions, internet
Use of celebrities
Civil disobedience and illegal activities
Name 3 examples of direct action
Marches and demonstrations
Trade Union strikes
Sit-Ins - Occupy London
Illegal acts
What is civil disobedience
Refusal to obey certain laws - Fathers4Justice climbed famous buildings wearing costumes
Name 4 factors affecting pressure group success
Insider Social Statues Wealth Celebrity Public Support Size
Why does a pressure group being insider help them to succeed
Consultation with government - if they are important to the economy, they are often consulted - CBI
Why does a high social status help a pressure group to succeed
Groups with high social power and an important position within society are more likely to succeed
Why does wealth help a pressure group to succeed
Groups with large funds behind them have the ability to hire lobbyists who advise them on how to conduct their campaign - Unison has over £1.3m members
Why does having celebrity endorsement help a pressure group to succeed
Publicises the campaign - Jamie Oliver getting good food into schools
Why does public support help a pressure group to succeed
Even if the government is not concerned, it feels pressure from the public to act - NSPCC against cruelty to children
Why does size help a pressure group to succeed
Mass membership represents a large proportion of the electorate - Age UK represents £12m pensioners - more likely to vote in referendums
Name 3 strengths of pressure groups
Reflect the system of pluralist democracy - gives people an additional voice
Counter-balances tyrrany of the majority - Stonewall
Gives expert knowledge to the government
Keep the government on their toes - limits government
Promotes debate and informs the electorate
Name 3 weaknesses of pressure groups
Can be divisive and selfish - one powerful group can heavily influence the issue - BMA 2012 strike
Stops things other people feel are needed - Opposition to HS2
Not accountable by the public
Reduces power of government and undermines its sovereignty
Make the country difficult to manage - Hyper-pluralism
Name 3 ways in which the Human Rights Act protects citizens’ rights
Encorporated the ECHR 1950 into UK Law
Citizens can now challenge laws in UK Courts rather than having to go to the ECHR
UK Courts can issue a ‘declaration of incompatibility’ which can put pressure on the government to back down
The ECHR has nothing to do with the EU, so Brexit won’t affect it
Name 3 ways in which the Freedom of Information Act (2000) protects citizens’ rights
Creates a more open system of government
Gives citizens the rights to know
Allow public to access files from any government body
Name 5 areas in which The Equality Act (2010) protects from discrimination
Religion Gender Reassignment Age Disability Marriage or Civil Partnership Pregnancy or Maternity Belief Race Sex and Sexual Orientation
What is Judicial Review
Review of ministers and officials’ decisions to ensure they are lawful
They are unlawful when ultra vires - beyond their powers
Anyone can apply for judicial review for one of these three reasons - authority has been exceeded, procedural impropriety or acting in an ‘irrational’ or ‘unreasonable’ way
