Democracy and Participation Flashcards
What is democracy?
The rule by the people
-gives the public the power to decide
Reasons for democracy
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.
Legitimacy meaning
People consent to being ruled.
What is direct democracy?
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.
Strengths of direct democracy
Everyone in society participates.
Voices are equal for all citizens.
Direct decisions are made.
PUREST FORM OF DEMOCRACY!
Weaknesses of direct democracy
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.
What is representative democracy?
People chosen by the public to make decisions for them ( through delegates, mandate, trustee).
-needs accountability
discourages public involvement
-must put trust in representatives
Strengths of representative democracy
Professionals make the complex decisions.
Minorities views are upheld and considered.
Elected politicians are held to account.
MOST PRACTICAL FORM OF DEMOCRACY!
Weaknesses of representative democracy
Citizens are disengaged from politics.
Politicians are skilled at swerving accountability.
Politicians are open to corruption.
What is lobbying?
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
What are think-tanks?
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.
Turnout falling
This means the government is elected on a reduced share of the popular vote
-this questions the strength of their mandate.
What is political apathy?
A lack of interest in politics
Some recent reform proposals have focused on increasing turnout at elections. What are they?
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
Reasons for compulsory voting
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.
Reasons for voluntary voting
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.
How are rights protected - 1215?
Magna Carta 1215- a series of written promises between the king and his subjects.
How are rights protected - 1998?
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.
How are rights protected-2000?
Freedom of Information Act 2000-established the public’s ‘right to know’
-made the government more open and accountable.
How are rights protected-2010?
Equality Act 2010-legally protected people from discrimination into one single Act (made it easier to understand whilst strengthening protection).
The protection of rights in The Constitution
The protection of rights isn’t entrenched into The Constitution.
There is also no Bill of Rights.
Positive democratic features include:
Free media- challenges government policy and exposes politicians.
Free and fair elections.
Wide range of parties and pressure groups.
Negative democratic features include:
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.
Turnout from 1945
The average turnout from 1945-1997 of a general election was 76%, since then it has been lower.
Democratic crisis in HoL (negatives)
Unelected (so undemocratic and lacks legitimacy).
Unaccountable.
Appointments by the PM.
Democratic crisis in HoL (positives)
All but 92 hereditary peers were removed due to the 1999 House of Lords Act.
Can scrutinise legislation and offer amendments.
Lacks loyalty.
Statute Laws are..?
Legal limits
-e.g The 1911 and 1949 Parliament Acts.
Conventions are..?
Non-legal limits
-e.g The Salisbury Convention 1945 meant the Lords could veto secondary legislation.
Turnout through Conservative membership
mid 1990s - 400,000
2016 - 150,000
Turnout through Labour membership
1997 election - 190,000
2016 (under Corbyn) - 515,000
