Democracy and Participation

Question 1

What is democracy?

Answer 1

The rule by the people
-gives the public the power to decide

Question 2

Reasons for democracy

Answer 2

People will remain happy if their views are acknowledged.
Minorities are heard
Leads to a better developed country
Stops bias ( people with different views and backgrounds).
Stops revolutions.

Question 3

Legitimacy meaning

Answer 3

People consent to being ruled.

Question 4

What is direct democracy?

Answer 4

Citizens vote directly on each issue.
-this isn’t very practical
-it’s very slow
-questions the competence of the public
It is now largely seen in referendums.

Question 5

Strengths of direct democracy

Answer 5

Everyone in society participates.
Voices are equal for all citizens.
Direct decisions are made.
PUREST FORM OF DEMOCRACY!

Question 6

Weaknesses of direct democracy

Answer 6

Daily decision making from all in society.
Citizens become apathetic if asked too often to participate.
Own interest decisions, rather than society as a whole.
No minority voices are heard.

Question 7

What is representative democracy?

Answer 7

People chosen by the public to make decisions for them ( through delegates, mandate, trustee).
-needs accountability
discourages public involvement
-must put trust in representatives

Question 8

Strengths of representative democracy

Answer 8

Professionals make the complex decisions.
Minorities views are upheld and considered.
Elected politicians are held to account.
MOST PRACTICAL FORM OF DEMOCRACY!

Question 9

Weaknesses of representative democracy

Answer 9

Citizens are disengaged from politics.
Politicians are skilled at swerving accountability.
Politicians are open to corruption.

Question 10

What is lobbying?

Answer 10

Individuals or companies paid for their knowledge of the best contacts in government to influence legislation by communicating its potential effects on their clients.
-the government often listens

Question 11

What are think-tanks?

Answer 11

Seek to influence the policy making process through researching institutes. Left-wing think tanks tend to have their proposals ignored by the right wing tory government.
-They have little if the government disagrees with them.
-Are generally ignored unless they agree with the government’s ideologies and agenda.
-e.g. Fabian Society=left-wing think tank.

Question 12

Turnout falling

Answer 12

This means the government is elected on a reduced share of the popular vote
-this questions the strength of their mandate.

Question 13

What is political apathy?

Answer 13

A lack of interest in politics

Question 14

Some recent reform proposals have focused on increasing turnout at elections. What are they?

Answer 14

Changing election days from a Thursday to a weekend
More postal and electronic voting
People allowed to vote anywhere within their constituency
Voting to take place over several days

Question 15

Reasons for compulsory voting

Answer 15

Voting is a social duty-so people should be engaged in it.
Would produce a more representative Parliament.
It would still be legal to spoil a ballot paper.

Question 16

Reasons for voluntary voting

Answer 16

Undemocratic to force people to vote-should be a matter of choice.
Doesn’t address the reasons why people choose not to vote.
Politicians would still focus their campaign on marginal seats.

Question 17

How are rights protected - 1215?

Answer 17

Magna Carta 1215- a series of written promises between the king and his subjects.

Question 18

How are rights protected - 1998?

Answer 18

Human Rights Act 1998- Made civil rights into a single, legal document.
Incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, e.g the right to life, right to a fair trail, right to marry, freedom from torture, etc.

Question 19

How are rights protected-2000?

Answer 19

Freedom of Information Act 2000-established the public’s ‘right to know’
-made the government more open and accountable.

Question 20

How are rights protected-2010?

Answer 20

Equality Act 2010-legally protected people from discrimination into one single Act (made it easier to understand whilst strengthening protection).

Question 21

The protection of rights in The Constitution

Answer 21

The protection of rights isn’t entrenched into The Constitution.
There is also no Bill of Rights.

Question 22

Positive democratic features include:

Answer 22

Free media- challenges government policy and exposes politicians.
Free and fair elections.
Wide range of parties and pressure groups.

Question 23

Negative democratic features include:

Answer 23

Control over sections of the media by wealthy.
Underrepresented minority interests- due to the voting system.
Lack of protection for citizens rights- government can suspend articles of the Human Rights Act in certain situations.
HoL lacks democratic legitimacy- unelected.

Question 24

Turnout from 1945

Answer 24

The average turnout from 1945-1997 of a general election was 76%, since then it has been lower.

Question 25

Democratic crisis in HoL (negatives)

Answer 25

Unelected (so undemocratic and lacks legitimacy).
Unaccountable.
Appointments by the PM.

Question 26

Democratic crisis in HoL (positives)

Answer 26

All but 92 hereditary peers were removed due to the 1999 House of Lords Act.
Can scrutinise legislation and offer amendments.
Lacks loyalty.

Question 27

Statute Laws are..?

Answer 27

Legal limits
-e.g The 1911 and 1949 Parliament Acts.

Question 28

Conventions are..?

Answer 28

Non-legal limits
-e.g The Salisbury Convention 1945 meant the Lords could veto secondary legislation.

Question 29

Turnout through Conservative membership

Answer 29

mid 1990s - 400,000
2016 - 150,000

Question 30

Turnout through Labour membership

Answer 30

1997 election - 190,000
2016 (under Corbyn) - 515,000