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uk politics > democracy and participation > Flashcards

democracy and participation Flashcards

1
Q

direct democracy

A

individuals express their opinions themsleves not through a elected representative

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2
Q

representative democracy

A

where an elected official represents people and makes decisions for them on their behalf

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3
Q

franchise

A

the ability to vote in public elections and referendums

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4
Q

what are lobbyists

A

people who are paid to try and influence govt to act in their interests

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5
Q

what is a democratic deficit

A

where decisions are made by those that lack legitimacy and have ben appointed without sufficient authority

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6
Q

participation crisis

A

a lack of political engagement. could be due to vote abstaining or lack of party membership

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7
Q

pluralist democracy

A

a government makes decisions as a result of living with various ideas from different social groups

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8
Q

strenghts of direct democracy

A

increased participation
legitimate decisions
educates people

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9
Q

weakness of direct democracy

A

MPs lose their influence and power
people may be uneducated and not well-informed enough to make good choices
threatens parliamentary sovereignty

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10
Q

advatnaged of representaive democracy

A

decisions made by people with good knowledge and expertise
people accept compromise
held accountable by support
avoids tyranny of the majority

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11
Q

What are the two main models of representative democracy

A

Delegate
Trustee

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12
Q

Forms of direct democracy in the uk

A

Referendums

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13
Q

History of democracy

A

Traceable back to 1215 magna Carta first limitations of power of monarch
Establishment of primacy of parliament over monarch in 1689 glorious revolution

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14
Q

Democracy in the uk political system

A

Elections- private, right, free, fair, variety of choice over seen by electoral commission
Parliament- govt formed by majority or by coalition of hung
Pressure groups- representing the minority

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15
Q

Forms of participation

A

Voting in referendums
Pressure group membership
Signing e petitions

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16
Q

what was the chartists

A

a working class movement which grew after the great reform act 1832 failure to extend the vote to universal suffrage

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17
Q

what did the chartists aim for

A

to gain political rights and influence for the working class mostly male universal suffrage

18
Q

failures of the chartists

A

every time their demands were presented to parliament they were rejected and no demand became law

19
Q

when did the chartists end

A

1958

20
Q

who were the suffragettes

A

part of the votes for women campaign, they fough for the right for women to vote in the uk

21
Q

failures of the suffragettes

A

some were imprisoned for their violent portests

22
Q

successes of suffragettes

A

they won a partial victory by some groups of women gaining vote by representation of the people act 1928

23
Q

who were the suffragists

A

`a group of women in 1866 who fought for equal political rights to men

24
Q

failure of suffragists

A

JS Mill drafted an amendment to the Second Reform Bill but this was defeated by 196 votes to 73

25
Q

how is HOC legitimate

A

MPs are elected but electoral system is not proportional and only represents majority

26
Q

how is HOL legitimate

A

traditional authority
political influence widely recognised
but not elected

27
Q

how is govt legitimate

A

elected with clear mandate to govern

28
Q

disadvantages of representative democracy

A

may not represent minority
can turn into ruling of the elites rather than dispersed power
only fair if the electoral system is fair and proportional

29
Q

why are referendums held

A

when the govt are divided on opinion
help decide important constitutional changes
entrench constitutional change
secures societies concept on legislation

30
Q

the uk has a liberal democracy

A

free and fair election
govt is accountable to parliament
parties and pressure groups are tolerated
rule of law
independent judicial branch

31
Q

the uk has not got a liberal democrcy

A

no codified and entrenched constitition
HofL is unelected
Pm has prerogative powers
unelected head of state

32
Q

how to achieve/improve democracy

A

introduce a system of proportional representation

strengthen legislative checks on govt

make the ECHR binding on uk parliament

systems to unelected MPs to make them publicly accountable

33
Q

improve democratic participation

A

lower the voting age

compulsory voting legislation

more referendums

34
Q

how to improve democracy in institutions

A

elected second chamber to replace HOL

codified constitution - especially to regulate the powers of the PM

make ECHR binding on Uk parliament

grant further powers to devolved parliament’s to bring democracy closer to the people

35
Q

features of parliamentary democracy

A

PM can only act with parliament consent
laws only enforced if legitimated by parliament
govt ministers are drawn from parliament
parliament ensures geographical representation

36
Q

3 examples of referendums

A

1975 - should uk remain EU member (split issue of labour party) yes majority 67%

1997 scottish parliament devolution - constitutional change (voter turnout of 74%)

2011 AV - coalition govt was divided on the constituional change - a large no majority with low turnout

37
Q

strength of democracy in political instituions

A

strong representation of individuals/constituencies by MPs (dependent on rep style)
free political parties and pressure groups
govt has a clear mandate to govern
rule of law ensures equality
politically independet judisicary
decntralisation of powers

38
Q

weakness of political instituions (democracy)

A

unelected monarchy and HoL
preogrative powers of PM are only conventional
rights are at the mercy of a majority sovereign government
ECHR anmd common law can be overturned by govt

39
Q

strenght of democracy in the political process

A

elections are held free and regularly
PGs have access to govt
referendums are held and determine constituional changes nby the electorates decision

40
Q

weakness of the political process (democracy)

A

fptp distorts representation
parliament can be weak to hold govt account
smaller parties are underrepresented

uk politics (13 decks)

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