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Edexcel A Level Politics > Democracy and Participation > Flashcards

Democracy and Participation Flashcards

1
Q

Give 2 advantages of Representative Democracy

A

Accountability
Expertise
Practicality
Representation

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2
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of Representative Democracy

A

Delegates vs Trustees
Inaccurate Representation
Self Interest
Low Participation

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3
Q

Why is expertise a good thing in a Representative Democracy?

A

They have more knowledge than the majority of the electorate

The public can be educated on public policy and political issues

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4
Q

Why is representation a good thing in a representative democracy?

A

Minority interests are protected - Representatives can put together the interests of voters to make good policy proposals

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5
Q

What is a Delegate?

A

Someone who expresses the views of those they represent

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6
Q

What is a Trustee?

A

Someone who makes decisions based on what they think is best - may not represent the wishes of the voters

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7
Q

What percentage of MPs are privately educated vs the general public?

A

29% of MPs, 7% of the public

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8
Q

Give one example of substantive representation

A

David Cameron pushing through legislation to legalise gay marriage, despite not being gay

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9
Q

What was the turnout in the 2012 Police and Crime Commissioner election

A

15%

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10
Q

Give 3 features of a representative democracy

A

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

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11
Q

Give 3 examples of features of representative democracy being with-held in the UK

A

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

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12
Q

Give 2 advantages of Direct Democracy

A

Everyone in society participates
People directly make decisions in their interests
All citizens’ votes are equal
Purest form of democracy

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13
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of Direct Democracy

A

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

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14
Q

Give 2 advantages of the election system in the UK

A

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

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15
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of the election system in the UK

A

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

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16
Q

What percentage of votes were wasted in 2015 to a losing candidate

A

50%

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17
Q

Give 2 advantages of the current UK representation

A

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

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18
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of the current UK representation

A 
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
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19
Q

Give 2 acts which protect citizen rights

A

Human Rights Act 1998
Freedom of Information Act 2000 - government reveals information on how and why decisions were made on behalf of the people

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20
Q

Why are acts not protected in the UK

A

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

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21
Q

Give 1 advantage of UK Pressure Groups

A

Supplement democracy by giving a voice to minority groups, allowing citizens to exert influence in-between elections
Enhance democracy by ensuring political diversity

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22
Q

Give 1 disadvantage of UK Pressure Groups

A

Wealthy and powerful pressure groups may pursue their own interests
The leaders are not elected, accountable or under public scrutiny

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23
Q

Give 1 way in which the UK govt. is limited

A

The UK Constitution limits government and adapts to changing circumstances

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24
Q

Give 2 reasons why the UK govt. is not limited

A

There is no codified constitution, so power distribution is undefined
The fusion of executive and legislature creates an over-powerful executive

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25
Q

Give 1 advantage of the Independent Jury

A

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

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26
Q

Give 1 disadvantage of the Independent Jury

A

Government has a role in appointing judges

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27
Q

What was the turnout in 1950 vs 2001

A

84% vs 59%

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28
Q

What has happened to participation in the last 50 years

A

It has fallen, but is beginning to rise again

29
Q

What is it called when the public are disillusioned by the lack or core differences between political parties

A

Partisan Dealignment

30
Q

What was the turnout in 2001 vs 2017

A

59% to 69%

31
Q

What was the turnout in the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum

A

85%

32
Q

What is the current Labour Party membership

A

450,000

33
Q

Give 2 reasons for anti-politics

A

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)

34
Q

Give 3 ways to reform UK Democracy

A

Compulsory Voting
Lowering the voting age
eDemocracy

35
Q

Give 2 advantages of compulsory voting

A

Governments claim greater legitimacy

Participation is a civic duty - wider education

36
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of compulsory voting

A

Masks deeper engagement issues
Encourages non-serious voting
Violation of individual freedom

37
Q

Give 2 advantages of lowering the voting age

A

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

38
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of lowering the voting age

A

Too young - most are in full-time education and live with their parents
Youth are less likely to vote - reduces overall turnout

39
Q

Give 2 advantages of eDemocracy

A

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

40
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of eDemocracy

A

Risk of hacking could undermine the legitimacy of elections - 2016 US election
Turns democracy into a series of push-button referendums, eroding its importance

41
Q

Give 1 advantage of referenda

A

Gives legitimacy to decisions

42
Q

Give 1 advantage of changing the voting system

A

Make citizens’ votes more valuable and proportionate to the country’s views

43
Q

Name all 4 types of Pressure Groups

A

Sectional/Interest
Promotional/Cause
Insider
Outside

44
Q

What are sectional/interest pressure groups

A

Membership is restricted. Aim to look after the interests of a particular group e.g. teachers

45
Q

What are promotional/cause pressure groups

A

Open membership, seeking mass support. Have altruistic policies (benefit wider society)

46
Q

What are insider pressure groups

A

Have a relationship with the government. Aims are compatible with government

47
Q

What are outsider pressure groups

A

Not associated with government. Mobilise public opinion to put pressure on government

48
Q

What are corporations

A

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

49
Q

What are lobbyists

A

Get paid to gain access to government. Lobbying companies tend to employ ex-politicians with insider links

50
Q

What are think tanks

A

Privately funded, non-profit organisations who conduct research to influence policies e.g. The Centre for Policy Studies helps the Conservatives

51
Q

Name 4 access points for pressure groups to exert influence

A 
Government
Parliament
Political Parties
Courts
Devolved assemblies and local councils
The media and public opinion
The EU
52
Q

Name 2 ways in which insider pressure groups may influence

A

Access to decision makers
Provide specialist information and advice regarding legislation
Targeting specific members of the HoC, HoL, EU and so on

53
Q

Name 3 ways in which outsider pressure groups may influence

A

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

54
Q

Name 3 examples of direct action

A

Marches and demonstrations
Trade Union strikes
Sit-Ins - Occupy London
Illegal acts

55
Q

What is civil disobedience

A

Refusal to obey certain laws - Fathers4Justice climbed famous buildings wearing costumes

56
Q

Name 4 factors affecting pressure group success

A 
Insider
Social Statues
Wealth
Celebrity
Public Support
Size
57
Q

Why does a pressure group being insider help them to succeed

A

Consultation with government - if they are important to the economy, they are often consulted - CBI

58
Q

Why does a high social status help a pressure group to succeed

A

Groups with high social power and an important position within society are more likely to succeed

59
Q

Why does wealth help a pressure group to succeed

A

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

60
Q

Why does having celebrity endorsement help a pressure group to succeed

A

Publicises the campaign - Jamie Oliver getting good food into schools

61
Q

Why does public support help a pressure group to succeed

A

Even if the government is not concerned, it feels pressure from the public to act - NSPCC against cruelty to children

62
Q

Why does size help a pressure group to succeed

A

Mass membership represents a large proportion of the electorate - Age UK represents £12m pensioners - more likely to vote in referendums

63
Q

Name 3 strengths of pressure groups

A

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

64
Q

Name 3 weaknesses of pressure groups

A

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

65
Q

Name 3 ways in which the Human Rights Act protects citizens’ rights

A

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

66
Q

Name 3 ways in which the Freedom of Information Act (2000) protects citizens’ rights

A

Creates a more open system of government
Gives citizens the rights to know
Allow public to access files from any government body

67
Q

Name 5 areas in which The Equality Act (2010) protects from discrimination

A 
Religion
Gender Reassignment
Age
Disability
Marriage or Civil Partnership
Pregnancy or Maternity
Belief
Race
Sex and Sexual Orientation
68
Q

What is Judicial Review

A

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

Edexcel A Level Politics (1 decks)

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