Democracy and Participation Flashcards
Define a think tank
A body of experts brought together to investigate and offer solutions to issues.
What’s a lobbyist?
Someone who is paid by clients to seek to influence gov on their behalf.
What was the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal?
- The Guardian uncovered that he had repeatedly lobbied two companies who were paying him +£100,000 a year.
- used his office 16 times for business meetings.
- he breached paid advocacy rules
- he eventually resigned, and his constituency North Shropshire voted Lib Dems instead (Nov 2021) Was a safe seat Con
What is the extent of regulation for lobbyists?
- Ministers and top civil servants are banned from lobbying their former colleagues for two years after they leave gov.
What was Cameron’s lobbying scandal and why was this ironic?
- In 2021, he was lobbying his work for Green-sill Capital
- Lobbyists have to join a register, set up by Cameron in 2014
What are individual rights?
Rights that relate to independence, such as freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and the right to strike and protest.
What are collective rights?
- A community has rights.
- Right for religious groups to not be questioned
- Right for a community to be protected from terrorism
What are the pros of Direct Democracy?
- People feel more involved
- High participation
- Educates citizens
- People have a say in all decisions
What are the cons of direct democracy?
Can be influenced by others
Less likely to participate as too frequent
Complex issues
Tyranny of majority
Emotive decisions
What’s an essential feature of representative democracy?
Accountability
What are the key features of representative democracy?
- Free fair and regular elections
- Universal suffrage (right to vote)
- Legislature
- Decision on majority
- Broad spectrum of parties reaching broad ideas
What is social representation?
Society is represented in the UK political system.
E.g 1/2 of Parliament would need to be women
What is constituency representation?
Focusing on the interests of a constituency as a whole, and listening to them when deciding on an issue.
What % of eligible voters participated in the 1998 referendum on whether to create a London mayor/assembly?
34%
How many members did the conservatives have in the 1950s?
3million
What was the turnout of the 2001 general election?
59%
What was the turnout of the 1950 election?
84%
Define ‘participation crisis’.
Lack of engagement with the political system.
What is a ‘Democratic deflect’?
- Deficiency in the democratic system as a result of decisions being taken by people whose appointment lacks democratic input/ accountability.
What are the main four points why the UK is suffering a participation crisis?
- Falling voter turnout
- Party membership
- Lack of choice
- Public trust
What are the three main reasons why the UK is not suffering a participation crisis?
Pressure groups
Social media
High engagement
What is the proof of falling voter turnout?
- General election turnout has been falling since 1979
- 67% turnout for 2019
- Turnout was 59% in 2001
How many members does the Conservative party have?
170,000
What is political apathy?
A lack of interest/awareness of contemporary events and political issues that affect society.
What are examples to show high engagement in the political system?
Voter turnout hasn’t dropped below 60% since 2001.
Scottish independence ref gained 85% turnout
Brexit ref was 72% turnout.
What is ‘hapathy’?
General failure of public to engage with politics as they are content with the current situation.
What is a safe seat?
A constituency where it is highly unlikely that a seat will change to one party from another
How does democratic deficit happen?
- First past the post as it’s discriminatory towards smaller parties
- House of Lords have considerable influence
- ECHR isn’t binding so individual rights under threat
Define suffrage.
Ability to vote
Define franchise.
Right to vote
Who can vote?
People over 18
UK nationals who lived abroad for less than 15yrs
Who cannot vote?
Prisoners
Under 18s
Members of the Lords
What act extended the voting age to 16 in all Scottish Elections?
Scottish Elections reduction of voting age act 2016
Why should we reform the UK FPTP system?
- Proportional representation is the norm in Europe
- Majority voted centre, left, or progressive parties but we got a conservative gov with a large majority
- House of Lords is undemocratic
What are 4 positives of UK democracy?
- We have a devolved gov for Scotland, Wales, and NI, and an elected Major for some English cities.
- We have a wide range of political parties and pressure groups.
- Independent judiciary.
- Free media that challenges gov and politicians.
What are 3 negatives of UK democracy?
-underrepresented minority groups through FPTP
-HofL lack democratic legitimacy
-Lack of citizen right protection.
What % of voters age 18-24 voted in 2010?
44%
What % of 18-24 yr olds voted in 2017?
64%
What is the turnout on average in Australia?
+90%
What was the turnout for the West Midlands mayoral election in 2017?
27%
What was the turnout for 2016 Scottish Parliament election?
56%
