Democracy And Participation Flashcards
Legitimacy
Legitimacy is the belief that the government does things in terms of policy and law-making that are acceptable to the citizens of that state.
The people give authority to those in power, and can take it away should the government stray from what is acceptable to them. Governments have to thus be careful not to make unpopular decisions, particularly those that were not in their manifesto when elected.
Direct democracy
Decisions are made by the citizens themselves rather than representatives for example a referendum
Representative democracy
Voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf, these representatives are then held to account in regular elections
Pluralist democracy
Pluralist democracy is a form of democracy where governments make decisions as a consequence of the interaction between groups and organisations who have different ideas and contrasting arguments.
Democratic deficit
when there’s so little democratic participation by the public meaning little trust in political institutions which means that the elected government can no longer claim legitimacy
Participation crisis
When the public have become disengaged from politics and voting levels have fallen so low that the legitimacy of the government can be questioned
Franchise/suffrage
The right to vote. This was extended through the 20th century, the uk now has universal suffrage all uk citizens can vote as long as they’re over 18 and
-not mentally incapacitated
-in prison
-a member of the House of Lords
Think tanks
A group created to generate ideas, political parties work with them to develop policy
Lobbyist
They are paid by their clients to try to influence those in government (such as ministers and MPs) to act in their client’s interests.
Features of representative democracy
-The voters retain sovereignty because they decide to review the mandate of their representative.
-MPs should balance the feelings of their constituents, party manifesto and political knowledge
-Westminster parliament has 650 MPs
Advantages of direct democracy
-government is carried out by professional politicians who are more likely to make politically educated decisions
-politicians balance conflicting interests which protects the rights of all citizens
-accountability: if the public don’t approve they can get rid of them
Disadvantages of a representative democracy
-MPs represent the metropolitan elite, they can be disengaged from the public and not represent their views e.g. EU referendum: the public voted 52%leave but 74% of MPs were in favour of remaining
-‘Westminster bubble’
-outside interests like second jobs
Unrepresentative because its elected through FPTP
-the HOL is unelected and unaccountable
Types of direct democracy
-Referendums: Scottish independence 2014 55.3% remain
-electronic petitions: Marcus Rashford 2020 #endchildfoodpoverty
-consultative exercises
-open primaries:
-party leadership elections
Recall of MPs act 2015
Advantages of direct democracy
-engages the public, closer connection between the public and political decision making
-encourages political education
-
Disadvantages of direct democracy
-referendums are oversimplified with a binary ‘yes/no’ vote for example EU referendum customs union issues and single market
-doesn’t balance conflicting interests or protect the rights of minorities
-people might vote on issues they’re not well informed on
Debate
Is the uk suffering from a participation crisis ?
Public trust in MPs:
-2009 expenses scandal
-decrease in turnout
-engagement is least likely from the most marginalised groups
-Party membership decline
Case for reform
People’s referendums: currently, referendums are only held when the government wants to make a decision. They could be used in a decisive way that could undermine liberal democracy. There are no safeguards on the rights of minorities.
Electronic petitions: the public can raise issues that are important to them, they could be more powerful if they triggered an automatic vote however, this could lead to old issues being reopened and valuable time being lost.
Power of recall(recall of MPs act 2015): current circumstances the act can be used in are rare but widening the criteria could lead to MPs who are just mouthpieces for their constituents rather than independently thinking politicians
Further devolution: turnout figures suggest that this wouldn’t be effective in increasing participation
House of Lords reform: making the Lords an elected chamber would make Westminster fully accountable but the lords could rival the commons and create gridlock
Digital democracy: could lead to more engagement but could also lead to;
-voter manipulation
-cyber interference
-populism
Reform of Westminster system: FPTP could be replaced however;
-2011 AV referendum 67.9% didn’t want to replace FPTP
-some devolved bodies are elected with and but it doesn’t have higher turnout
Compulsory voting
Should voting be compulsory ?
Yes
-higher turnout means that the governments mandate is increased
-encourages more political education
-socially disadvantaged groups are least likely to vote meaning that politics favours older and wealthier voters
-not forced to make a choice you can spoil your ballot
No
-the public have the right to chose if they vote, politicians should give them a reason to vote
-random voting could undermine legitimacy
-compulsory voting is based on coercion, voting is a civic right not an obligation
-limits our right to act how we want
-not voting can signify that people aren’t happy with any of the candidates
Widening franchise:
Votes at 16?
Prisoner voting
Prisoners cannot vote in the UK because they’re regarded as having renounced the rights of citizenship while incarcerated
Not being allowed to vote violates article 3 of the ECHR
-pressure groups e.g. liberty support prisoner voting in 2017 a small amount of prisoners day release to vote
Widening franchise: historical perspective
Magna Carta 1215
1832 great reform act: gave the vote to middle class men
1918 representation of the people act: men (21+) and property owning/wife of, women (30+) to vote in general elections
Representation of the people act 1928: gave the vote to all men and women 21+
Representation of the people act 1969: gave the vote to men and women 18 and over
Pressure groups:
What is a sectional(interest) pressure group?
They represent the interests of a particular group for example a certain profession.
What is a cause (promotional) group?
Promote a particular cause for example, liberty
campaigns on behalf of people’s civil liberties in the uk
Members can be from different socioeconomic groups
What is an insider group?
Has access to the government and policy making for example the BMA has specialist knowledge that governments want to consult
