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.
