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Politics > Democracy and participation > Flashcards

Democracy and participation Flashcards

1
Q

define democracy

A

‘rule by the people’
people affected by decisions should be the ones to make it

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2
Q

define representative democracy

A

people elect representatives who take decisions on their behalf

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3
Q

features of representative democracy

A
  • chosen through fair, regular elections every 5 years (unless called before)
  • elections must be contested by numerous parties
  • constitutional checks exist to prevent concentration of government power
  • MPs represent society and pass laws
    judiciary should be independent from government
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4
Q

advantages of representative democracy

A
  • professional politicians make decisions and are more educated
  • most practical form
  • elected politicians are held to account by the people
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5
Q

disadvantages of representative democracy

A
  • politicians can be corrupted
  • always a minority that feels unrepresented
  • citizens do not have direct say because politicians can oppose
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6
Q

define direct democracy

A

people make decisions for themselves e.g. referendums

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7
Q

explain ancient athens democracy

A
  • make citizens over 18 could speak and vote in Assembly
  • 3000 people in regular attendance
  • assembly met 2-3 times a month and discussed topics and vote on decisions
  • sortition was used to select positions to avoid power imbalance
  • checks and balances sorted sorts of the assembly into different topics so power was distributed
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8
Q

advantage of ancient athens democracy

A

gave all citizens equal political rights

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9
Q

disadvantages of ancient athens democracy

A
  • only males could speak and vote
  • only 3,000 out of 250,000 actively participated
  • lacked necessary knowledge
  • people could be swayed by a good orator
  • wealthiest dominated the political arena
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10
Q

advantages of direct democracy

A
  • everyone in society participates
  • every vote counts
  • purest form of democracy
  • stimulate participation
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11
Q

disadvantages of direct democracy

A
  • impractical
  • people will vote in their own interest and not society’s
  • tyranny of the majority
  • too complex issues for public
  • could lead to popularity contest or protest vote
  • media influence
  • only snapshot in time
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12
Q

switzerland democracy

A
  • representative democracy
  • most elements of direct democracy
  • many referendums like on minarets
  • petitions with over 100,000 signatures can be called to referendum
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13
Q

define pressure grouos

A

organisation made up of like minded people who aim to influence policies and actions of the government

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14
Q

features and purposes of pressure groups

A
  • seek to exert influence from the outside, and not gain any positions of power
  • narrow issue or focus
  • exists in pluralistic society where power is dispersed and allows more voices to be heard
  • enables political participation national and local as well as educate the electorate on issues
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15
Q

define interest/sectional group

A

open to certain individuals as they aim to represent them e.g trade unions

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16
Q

define cause/promotional groups

A

open memberships to the public as they try to promote a cause

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17
Q

define insider group

A

special relationship with government and interests are usually compatible with them

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18
Q

define outsider group

A

not closely associated with government and are largely excluded from political consultation and contact

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19
Q

define social movements

A

similar to cause group but lack formal structure; politically radical and aim to achieve a single objective

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20
Q

define lobbyists

A

companies who get paid to gain access to government for their clients

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21
Q

lobbying scandals

A
  • 2012- conservative party co treasurer Peter Cruddas offered access to prime minister for £250k a year
  • 2010- 3 former labour cabinet minister Byers, Hon and Hewitt helped a lobbying company for £3k-5k a day
  • 1997- Eccelstone donated 1 million to labour party for F1 to be exempt from tobacco advertising
  • 1994- cash for questions with conservative Hamilton and Smith for Mohammed Al Fayed
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22
Q

methods of pressure groups

A
  • ministers and civil service- insider groups can have consultations with government officials
  • parliament- lobbying MPs
  • political parties- link between Labour and trade unions so they have strong influence on policies
  • public campaigns- marches and demonstrations
  • publicity stunts
  • social media
  • use of celebrities
  • civil disobedience and illegal activities
  • strikes for trade unions
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23
Q

measures of success of pressure groups

A
  • wealth- large companies and charities command large funds for campaign purposes and can afford to hire expensive lobbyists
  • size- bigger groups can be seen as more respectable and represent a large proportion of the electorate
  • organisation- more influence and can organise effective campaigns
  • government views- more likely to gain influence if they align with government
  • public support- enjoy public support and government is under pressure to act
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24
Q

strengths of pressure groups

A
  • enable individuals to participate in politics
  • reflect system of pluralist democracy
  • counterbalance the tyranny of the majority
  • bring expert knowledge
  • make governments responsible for their actions
  • promote debate and educate and inform the electorate
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25
Q

weaknesses of pressure groups

A
  • can be divisive and selfish where one powerful group can dominate an issuer
  • stopping things which others may want
  • not accountable to the public
  • reduced the power of Parliament and undermines it’s sovereignty
  • make the country difficult to manage and govern
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26
Q

work of BMA

A
  • sectional group who protects interests of doctors
  • professional stays and scientific credibility
  • contributed to introduction of ban of smoking in enclosed spaces in 2007
  • tried to discourage drivers from smoking to prevent second hand smoke
  • attracted support from public and other pressure groups like Asthma UK
  • used online technology to lobby for support
  • amendment to 2014 Children and Families Bill which banned smoking in cars with children and came into effect in 2015
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27
Q

work of Occupy London movement

A
  • demand reform of the global financial system
  • 2011, group of protestors occupied the square outside of St Paul’s Cathedral where they stayed in tents
  • protesting about corporate greed and social inequality
  • similar demonstrations across the world like new york
  • unclear and broad objectives lead to unsuccessful action
  • occupied media space and gained popular support
  • no long term policy change
28
Q

work of fathers 4 justice

A
  • champion equal parenting and paternity rights in family law
  • flour bombing of blair in commons
  • dresses up as superheroes in rally
  • break the law deliberately to gain media attention
29
Q

define think tanks

A

privately funded, non profit organisations made up of a group of experts who conduct research and help influence and change policy

30
Q

features and examples of think tanks

A
  • taxpayers alliance- right or policies spectrum and try to stop waste of taxpayers money, received over £223k in foreign donations
  • the adam smith institute
  • some think tanks have direct links and influence over government
  • Centre for Social Justice set up by Iain Duncan Smith in 2004 to help disadvantaged communities, and he later became Work and Pensions secretary and implemented universal credit
31
Q

define corporations

A

large companies try to lobby the government to encourage them to legislate in certain areas would benefit them

32
Q

features and examples of corporations

A
  • uber undertook heavy lobbying to convince public and authorise that TFL made the wrong decision in revoking their licence
  • “revolving door” refers to the process where senior politicians take well paid jobs in the private sector and use their previous knowledge and contacts
  • 2017, former Chancellor Osborne became editor of Evening Standard and £650k a year advisor at BlackRock
33
Q

define suffrage or franchise

A

ability or right to vote in public elections, currently for adults over 18

34
Q

franchise pre 19th century

A
  • right to vote was restricted to those who owned freehold property worth at least 40 shillings
  • wealthy patrons became MPs
  • plural voting
  • women were excluded from voting
35
Q

great reform act 1832 franchise

A
  • abolishing separate representation of underpopulated “rotten boroughs”
  • seat creation for urban areas like Manchester
  • more people can vote like tenant farmer and smaller property holders
  • 5% of population could vote
36
Q

1918 representation of peoples act franchise

A
  • women were given the vote if they were householders or wives if householders
  • all men over 21 and women over 30
  • 75% of adult population
37
Q

1928 representation of peoples act franchise

A

men and women can vote at 21 so full adult suffrage

38
Q

1969 representation of peoples act franchise

A

voting age reduced 18

39
Q

work of suffragettes and suffragists

A
  • fought for women to be enfranchised in the late 19th century
  • national union of women’s suffrage societies (suffragists) believed in non violent methods like peaceful demonstrations and petitions
  • women’s social and political union (suffragettes) believed in more disruptions to gain politicians’ attention, inducing attacks and hunger strikes
40
Q

movement to extend franchise to voted at 16

A
  • votes at 16 coalition formed in 2003 secured a study of the issue by the electoral commission
  • labour MP julie morgan sponsored a private members bill in 2008 which ran out if parliamentary time
  • 16 and 17 year olds were able to vote in scottish independence referendum in 2014
41
Q

arguments for and against votes at 16

A

for
- more participation in politics with 3/4 voting in scottish referendum
- young people can have more to a say in what happens to them and their futures
- already a youth parliament with active engagement
- ability to leave school, start work and have sex but not vote

against
- scottish referendum attracted high engagement from all age groups and 18-24 year olds are known for having the lowest engagement
- most other countries do not have votes at 16
- lack necessary life experience and maturity to vote

42
Q

define civil liberties

A

rights that citizens have in a democracy including freedom of speech, freedom of religion and right to a free trial

43
Q

magna carta 1215 human rights

A
  • signed by king john for him to stop abusing his powers
  • right to trial by jury
44
Q

1998 human rights

A
  • incorporated European convention on human rights into UK law
  • citizens can challenge laws in UK courts rather than having to go to european courts or human rights
45
Q

freedom of information act 2000 human rights

A
  • gives citizens “right to know” information regarding how and who made decisions
  • allows the public to access files from any government body
  • any person can request information and has a right to have that information give to them
46
Q

equality act 2010 human rights

A
  • outlaw discrimination and unfair treatment
  • brighton together earlier pieces of legislation like equal pay act, sex discrimination act and race relations act
  • protected characteristics- age, gender, race, religion, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnant and maternity, and sex and sexual orientation
47
Q

what is judicial review and how does it protect our rights with example

A
  • review of ministers and officials decisions to ensure they are lawful, especially if they are ultra vires which is when a minister acts beyond their power
  • march 2020, national institute for clinical care expertise amended covid-19 guidelines for clinical care to protect rights for people with mental health illnesses or learning disabilities
48
Q

rights protection cases

A
  • abu qatada (2012)- ECHR judgement delayed his deportation back to Jordan in the grounds he was glowing to be tortured, despite his risk to UK security, until UK signed a treaty with Jordan in 2013 so this wouldn’t happen
  • 2017- segregation in a school in birmingham between genders breached the equality act and was overturned
49
Q

who is Liberty and their work

A
  • aim to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms in UK
  • promote values of equality, dignity, fairness and accountability
  • 2020- halt to police force using face recognition on UK streets as it breaches right to equality and privacy
  • 2023- against snoopers charter- which allows police and security services to have information on us online, and violates right to privacy and freedom of expression
50
Q

limitations to our rights and examples

A

conflict between individual and collectivist rights
- judges have been accused of prioritising g the right to privacy compared to the other human rights like in 2008 within max mosley (head of f1) awards substantial damages when news of the world reported on his sex life

citizens rights have been restricted for governments to protect from terrorise
- ministers tried to detain terror suspects without trial but in 2004 law lords ruled it was discriminatory and was replaced with control orders like electronic tagging
- 2005- blair extended detention period to 90 days
- id cards

51
Q

democratic features of UK politics

A
  • elections
  • citizens rights
  • limited government
  • representation
  • pressure groups
  • independent judiciary
  • free media
52
Q

evaluation of elections

A

+ free and fair based on universal suffrage, choice and party competition
+ FPTP is simple and efficient
+ PR in devolved parliaments is an improvement
- FPTP is disproportionate and leaves minor parties under represented
- turnout is not high but in line with other Western democracies

53
Q

evaluation of citizens rights

A

+ civil liberties and rights like HRA
+ freedom of information act 2000 requires the government to reveal information on how and why decisions were taken
- HRA is not fully entrenched
-FIA has too many exemptions

54
Q

evaluation of limited government

A

+ UK constitution is effective at limiting government
- no codified constitution
- fusion of executive and legislature creates an over powerful government

55
Q

evaluation of representation

A

+ parliament represents constituents and holds government to account
- can be ineffective in holding government to account as it is dominated by majority
- HOL unelected and has powers like delaying laws
-MPs can ignore constituents, especially those in safe seats
- women and ethnic minorities and working class are under represented

56
Q

evaluation of pressure groups

A

+ supplement democracy by giving voice to minorities
- wealthy and powerful pressure groups pursue their own interests
- pressure groups are not electable and accounatbke

57
Q

evaluation of independent judiciary

A

+ rule of law is protected by judicial independence
+ all governments are subject to law upheld by judges via judicial review and HRA
- government has a role in appointing judges

58
Q

evaluation of free media

A

+ challenge government policy
- controlled y certain wealthy individuals like Murdoch group

59
Q

falling participation facts

A
  • falling since 1979 where it was 76%, compared to 67% in 2019
  • european, local and other elections have seen even lower turnout- 37.2% in european 2019
  • by elections have fallen as people feel they do not have a say in who’s in power, e.g Southend West in 2022 was only 24%
60
Q

positive participation facts

A
  • turnout levels have risen from lowest in 2001 (59%)
  • scottish independence referendum in 2014 saw an engaged population and turnout at 85%, with 75% of 16-17 year olds voting
61
Q

party membership facts

A
  • 1.6% of electorate belong to one of the main parties but it was 3.8% in 1983
  • labour and lib dem’s have increased dramatically since 2016
  • conservatives have had a significant drop
62
Q

other ways showing participation is increasing

A
  • increasing number and membership of pressure groups
  • e-petitions- most signed in 2019 for UK to remain in EU with 6.1 million signatures
  • protesting and campaigning in social media e.g Israel-Gaza war
63
Q

anti politics and reason for lack of participation

A
  • lack of interest in young people
  • people feel taken for granted by political elites
  • voters are not committed to a particular party
  • lack of core differences between parties, leading to partisan dealignment
  • distrust in politicians
64
Q

ways to reform democratic system

A
  • compulsory voting
  • lowering voting age to 16
  • e-voting
  • greater use of referendums
  • change to voting systems so people’s votes are more valuable
  • constitutional reform
  • use of initiatives
  • increase in levels of political education
65
Q

evaluation of compulsory voting

A

+ governments have greater legitimacy as everyone has had a say
+ seen as a civic duty to vote and would have wider educational implications
+ increase participation
+ introduced in other countries like Australia
- donkey voting
- considered a violation of individual freedom and the stance to not vote

66
Q

evaluation of e-voting

A

+ express views much easier
+ new technology allows citizens full access to all media
- risk of hacking and legitimacy of results
- not accessible at all, like those without internet
- seen as a series of push button referendums that doesn’t match the severity of the outcome

Politics (14 decks)

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