democracy and participation Flashcards
where the decision is given to the public eg. through a referendum
direct democracy
give an example of direct democracy
EU Referendum , Scottish Independence Referendum
true or false does direct democracy make governments directly accountable to the citizens of the state
true
name the cons of direct democracy
- makes descion making a harder and longer process as a modern state agreeing is extremely difficult
- people arent educated or dont have enough knowledge of politics to make a descion
citizens choose others to represent them and make decisions on their behalf
representative democracy
what type of democracy is the UK?
liberal democracy
what system is mainly used in the UK?
representative democracy
true or false in a representative democracy are the government accountable
true
how is the government’s power limited in a representative democracy?
free press and people’s individual rights
what are the pros of a representative democracy?
- people dont have to make regular desicions
- can educate the public
- representative of all sections of society
what are the cons of representative democracy?
- representatives may not act in the trustee/delegate model and may act in mandate
- mandate of representative may not be fully accurate of the wants of everyone (cant pick and choose what part of the manifesto you want)
the ability and right to vote in an election
franchise/sufferage
give an example of a suffrage movement
suffragette movement in early 20th and late 19th century
which act gave ALL women the right to vote?
1928 great reform act
between 1918 - 1928 what criteria did a women have to meet in order to vote?
married and over 30
what was the difference between suffragists and sufferagettes?
suffragists - aimed to achieve women’s franchise via peaceful methods such as petitions and non-violent protests
suffragettes - aimed to achieve women’s franchise via radical demonstrations eg hunger strikes , emmeline pankhurst throwing herself under a horse
which women’s sufferage group was more successful?
suffragists - they nearly got a bill passed because of their peaceful , co-operative nature
what are the arguments against 16 year olds being able to vote?
- they are not mature enough to vote
- voting turnout for 18 year olds is already low so it is argued it may not have that much of an impact
groups of experts who investigate topics and propose solutions and policies
think tanks
give an example of a left wing think tank
the fabian society
give an example of right wing think tanks
adam smith institute and centre for social justice
who’s idea and what did the think tank ‘centre for social justice’ propose?
Ian Duncan Smith and universal credit
professionals who are paid in return to access contacts within government
lobbyists
what are the concerns with lobbying?
the corruption it is vunerable to , journalists can buy there way in and expose MP’s etc
in what year was policy introduced to reduce the corruption of lobbying?
2014
true or false does lobbying in the UK affect spending and policies?
false - the government deny it but it is unclear
what is the trouble with lobbying?
seen as very exclusive and very much the case of who you know - seen as part of the ‘old boy network’
how are corporations involved in business?
government often calls upon large corporations to see whether certain policy will work within their industry
how can corporations influence legislation?
they can pressure them into changing legislation in cases of foreign competition
what do corporations bring to the UK?
mass employment
what have nissan done before in the past to influence policy?
threatened relocation
corporations in the UK are not allowed to campaign but in which referendum were they allowed to support a side
Brexit Referendum
which large corporation came out in favour to leave
Dyson
