Democracy and participation Flashcards
Representative democracy
A form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf. These representatives are then held accountable to the public in regular elections.
Direct democracy
A form of democracy in which citizens themselves, rather than their representatives, make political decisions. For example, a referendum.
Participation crisis
A point at which the public has become disengaged from politics and voting levels have fallen so low that the legitimacy of elected governments can be questioned.
Democratic deficit
When a democracy is not operating effectively because there is a lack of accountability among political bodies and not all citizens can claim equal influence over political decision making.
Burkean principle of freedom of conscience
MPs should not be beholden to their constituent’s wishes, and be free to exercise their own judgement in Parliament
Suffrage
The right to vote.
Throughout the 19th more and more people were granted the right to vote. Today, everyone over 18 can vote unless they are mentally incapacitated, in prison or a member of the House of Lords.
Pluralist democracy
Political influence is dispersed among a wide variety of elected and non-elected bodies, ensuring that there is fair and transparent competition between rival groups for influence.
Outline advantages of representative democracy
- Government is carried out by professional politicians (they have to be well informed about issues - more educated decision-making)
- Representative balance conflicting interests
- Accountability through regular elections
Outline disadvantages of reprensentative democracy
- MPs can become disconnected from their voters (second jobs, “Westminster bubble”)
- Unrepresentative MPs due to FPTP
- Not diverse enough (white, middle/upper class, male)
Name ways and examples of direct democracy in the UK
Referendums - Scottish Independence Referendum (2014)
Electronic petitions - A second referendum on whether the UK should leave the EU
Consultative exercises - Communities which will be affected have been consulted over the expansion of Heathrow and the HS2 rail link
Open primaries - The independent MP Sarah Wollaston became the Conservative candidate for Totnes in 2009 when she won an open primary
Leadership elections of political parties - Rishi Sunak was elected Conservative party leader and as a result became Prime Minister
Recall of MPs Act (2015) - Ian Paisley just survived a recall petition in 2018 after a scandal
Outline advantages of direct democracy
- More political participation
- Decisions will be more representative of the public beliefs
Outline disadvantages of direct democracy
- Uninformed citizens may make a rash decision
- Too much power is given to political activists/radical groups
- conflicting views between the public and parliament can lead to a destabilisation of the political system (in crisis)
Define the term “pressure group”
A body which seeks to influence government policy without seeking office itself, usually focused on a single issue or narrow group of ideas.
Name and define the 4 types of pressure groups
Insider groups - these have direct access to government ministers and top officials and therefore build up a good professional relationship, which can help to formulate policy.
Outsider groups - These groups do not wish or are unable to be close to the government. For example, CND or the countryside alliance.
Sectional groups - These groups represent the needs of certain groups of society, e.g. teachers, workers in specific industries, lawyers, etc. Their goal is to improve the status of their members and in some instances have been successful. For example, preventing London underground being privatised, likewise the Postal Service.
Cause groups:
- Local level groups who are against a change in their area
- A group with ongoing much wider issues, which may take longer and has a larger impact on people´s lives
Outline methods used by pressure groups
- Local petitions, letters and lobbying of MPs, councillors, Peers to push their particular issue
- Use of media/internet
- Peaceful marches and demonstrations
- Using courts to prevent injustice (supreme court)
- Strikes
- Publicity stunts
- Hiring professional lobbyists to get our proposals ahead of your competitors
- Illegal activities e.g. damaging property, violence
What are factors affecting the success of pressure groups?
- Support of the media
- Proximity of an election and the potential votes an issue might win/lose
- How united the pressure group is
- Management and organisation of the pressure groups
- Size and possible electorate impact of the membership
What are arguments in favour of pressure groups
- Allows participation between elections
- Provide a voice for minority groups
- Provide objective info for government (not always)
- Everybody can have a voice and make a difference
- Use of publicity widens public debate
What are arguments against pressure groups?
- Single issues detract from elections
- If well organised will drown out majority
- Info can also be biased and conflicting
- Elite can dominate policy influence
Name pressure groups in the UK
Surfers Against Sewage
- campaign for less plastic and more recycling
Stop the War Coalition
- organised a demonstration with 1 million people against Tony Blair´s support for an American led invasion of Iraq
Define human rights
A right which is believed to belong to every person.
It is referred to as “soft law” because it is not always possible to enforce them.
Define civil liberties
These are rights that individuals possess in relation to the nation state and so are legally enforceable and represent “hard law”.
Outline the development of a right-based culture since 1997
Human Rights Act (1998)
- Incorporates the European Convention of Human Rights fully into British law
- ensures rights are being easy to understand (written down clearly)
Freedom of Information Act (2000)
- Established the “right of access” to information held by the public bodies so long as it does not compromise national security.
- For example, the MPs expenses scandal in 2009
Equality Act (2010)
- Established equality before the law for all citizens.
- Discrimination in public life is illegal in 9 categories: Age, sex, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity
Define civic responsibility
Responsibilities which citizens need to follow or should follow. These can be enforced laws, such as paying taxes or serving on a jury, but also not legally enforceable laws, such as voting.
What are restrictions of civil liberties in the UK?
Freedom can be restricted if it is likely to endanger the collective good of society.
For example:
- Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act (2001) - government has the power to imprison foreign terrorist suspect indefinitely without trial.
- Investigatory Power Act (2016) - authorised the retention of personal data and its access for law enforcement
