democracy and participation Flashcards
what is partisan dealignment?
no longer supporting one particular party, open to vote for any party
what was the peterloo masacre?
-happened in St Peter’s field, Manchester in 1819
-people had gathered to demand the reform of parliamentary representation
-18 people died and 400-700 were injured when cavalry charged into the crowd
who were the chartists?
people who aimed to gain political rights and influence for the working class
what was included in the people’s charter?
-votes for all men over 21
-secret ballot
-no property qualification to become MP
-payment for MPs
-electoral districts of equal size
-annual elections for parliament
who were the suffragettes?
part of the ‘votes for women campaign. started by Emmeline Pankhurst. over 1000 suffragettes went to prison for their protesting. women over 30 got the vote in 1918.
what’s the difference between suffragettes and suffragists?
suffragists believed in peaceful campaigns, and both were involved in getting the right for women to vote. (leader of suffragists = Millicent Fawcett). however, after suffragists failed to make progress in the early 20th century, a new generation of activists emerged who were the suffragettes
what is direct democracy?
a system in which people, rather than elected representatives, make the decisions that affect them
what is indirect democracy?
the principle that people are represented in government rather than taking part in the decision making proccess
types of political participation - gladiators
the relatively small percentage of activists who are keen participants
types of political participation - spectators
those who observe the contest but who limit their participation to voting
types of political participation - apathetics
the non-participants who do not even watch the contest and are indifferent to its outcome
what is the 40:30:30 society?
-40% of the pop. have secure employment and are comortable or well off
-30% are in insecure unemployment
-30% are economically and socially marignalised, jobless or working for poverty wages and barley able to subsist
what are the strengths of indirect democracy?
-elected representatives may have greater expertise + experience
-representatives can implement unpopular but necessary policies e.g. taxes
-representatives are held accountable for their actions at the next election
what are the limitations of indirect democracy?
-representatives might not always represent the views of the public
-low public interest can leave decisions to a small elite
-our elections make it difficult for smaller parties to win, meaning many views can go unrepresented
feature of democracy - R
-representation
-people’s opinions are represented to the gov.
