Democracy and Participation 1.1

Question 1

Define Legitimacy

Answer 1

The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely-held agreements, such as a government’s right to rule following an election or a monarch’s succession based on the agreed rules.

Question 2

Define direct Democracy

Answer 2

All individuals express their options themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf. This type of democracy emerged in Athens in classical times and direct democracy can be seen in referendums.

Question 3

Define Representative Democracy

Answer 3

A more modern form of democracy through which an individual selects a person (and/or political party) to act on their behalf.

Question 4

Define Pluralist Democracy

Answer 4

A type of democracy in which a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations.

Question 5

Define Democratic Deficit

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is a Participation Crisis

Answer 6

A lack of engagement by a significant number of citizens to relate to the political process wither by choosing not to vote or to join or become members of a political parties to offer themselves public offence

Question 7

What is a Franchise/Suffrage?

Answer 7

The ability or right to vote in public elections

Question 8

What is a Think Tank?

Answer 8

A body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain topic - to investigate and offer solutions to often complicated and seemingly intractable economic, social or political issues.

Question 9

Define Lobbyist

Answer 9

A person who is payed by clients to try to influence the government and/or MPs and members of the house of Lords to act in their clients’ interests.