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UK Politics and Government > Democracy and Participation > Flashcards

Democracy and Participation Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between power and authority

A

Power- ability to influence somebodies actions to a degree by which they do something they wouldn’t otherwise do.

Authority- Right to influence someone’s behaviour and actions

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2
Q

What do we mean when we say that the govt is legitimate

A

legitimate- Whether it is accepted that a government has the right to hold power and legislate

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3
Q

What is democracy

A

The idea that political participation is equal with universal suffrage and that power resides with the people

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4
Q

What is direct democracy

A

When the public are invited to give their opinion on a specific political topic in the form of a referendum.

Examples were seen in many referendums such as those on devolution, independence, and Brexit

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5
Q

What is representative democracy

A

When the electorate devolves power to a representative to thusly act on their behalf. This is done through elections

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6
Q

What are the advantages of direct democracy

A
  • genuine democracy
  • responsibility is on people for the course of an action
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7
Q

What are the disadvantages of direct democracy

A
  • Public might act against their own greater interest
  • Tyranny of the majority might occur
  • Wealthy minority could influence the outcome- Brexit
  • Public are perhaps not enged enough
  • Expensive
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8
Q

What are the advantages of representative democracy

A
  • Practical
  • public can benefit from expertise and experience of legislators to make decisions which are in the nations best interest
  • public might not have time to make informed decisions or might be uninterested
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9
Q

What are the disadvantages of representative democracy

A
  • representatives might not represent views of all constituents if they have to vote one way or another
  • Parities and whips can sometimes have more sway than constituents
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10
Q

Are referendums binding on parliament or are they only advisory

A

legally speaking parliament is sovereign and hence cannot be bound by the outcome of a referendum however the political consequences would be significant

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11
Q

How much influence does parliament and the govt have over referendums

A

Brexit- UKIP forced lots of David Cameron’s hand.

Parliament calls the referendum and also produces wording for the referendum question

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12
Q

what are initiatives

A

Publicly backed referendums on a specific issue of topic

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13
Q

How are referendums different in America

A

in 24 states 8% of population can call for a referendum (initiatives) to tale place

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14
Q

what sort of issues are usually decided by referendums in the UK

A

Constitutional legal and deeply politicised issues.

Like devolution or Brexit.

Local councils can also hold referendums.

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15
Q

What sort of issues are voted on in US initiatives and referendums

A

In California tax policy and in the 2024 election there were also initiatives around the topic of abortion

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16
Q

Why has the use of referendums increased since 1997

A
  • New Labours constitutional change needed specific local mandates
  • more informed electorate due to the rise of social media
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17
Q

What happens if a single party wins a majority of seats in the house of commons

A

leader of that party is invited to form a government and then by convention gains the royal prerogative by becoming prime minister

18
Q

What are the main differences between government and parliament

A

116 MP’s and Lords who had been chosen by the Prime minister to have formed a role in the running of the country

On the other hand the legislature is all of parliament

19
Q

What are the main differences between parliamentary and presidential democracy

A

Parliamentary democracy- parliament monitors executive branch which is drawn from parliament

Presidential democracy- President isn’t a member of the legislature and doesn’t have to draw the cabinet from the pool of elected representatives.

20
Q

If parliament is sovereign why are they so many other elections in the UK

A

Other institutions like the PCC, councils and local mayors do need to be elected.

21
Q

What are the different theories for ho MP’s should represent their constituency

A

Delegate- mouthpiece
Trustee model-
Mandate

22
Q

Aside from voting how wiles can we participate in our representative democracy

A

E- petitions
Writing to MP’s
Activistum
campaigning
visiting MP’s
Pressure Groups

23
Q

How has turnout changed in UK elections changed in recent decades

A

Lower turnout since WW2

Lowest turnout is in election like the Police and Crime Commissioner

24
Q

Why is turnout important in representative democracy

A

Turnout translates into legitimacy and mandate

25
Q

What is differential turnout? Why are average turnout stats so misleading

A

Average turnout provides a distorted image of democratic participation

In the 2017 general election only 53% voted in Glasgow NE

26
Q

What evidence is there of partisan dealignment in the uk

A

More polarised electorate

Voters make a less partisan and more rational choice

27
Q

What is meant by ‘apathy’ and ‘hapithy’ and why might these affect turnout levels

A

Apathy- disinterested

hapathy- content lives so there is no motivation for change

28
Q

Why might formal political participation be healthier than previously thought

A

Turnout figures- people can be registered to vote in multiple electoral resisters so should they vote turnout is 50% (for their vote)

Single issues pressure groups and social movements

29
Q

What is e-democracy and what examples of it can be found in the UK

A

e- petitions (petitions committee)

Social media

30
Q

What is liberal democracy

A

A democracy where free and fair elections with universal suffrage and where representatives decide democratically national action

31
Q

What is a constitution? Why are constitutions important in Liberal Democracies

A

rights belonging to citezens and roles of each branch

32
Q

What features would we expect to find in a liberal democracy

A
  • Entrenched civil liberties and rights
  • tolerance to views and groups
  • Free press
33
Q

In what way does the UK conform to the features of a liberal democracy

A
  • All voters have one member of parliament
  • devolved government- local voice
  • free and fair elections with universal suffrage
  • Committees for scrutiny
  • Weaker separation of powers
34
Q

In what ways does our political system contrast with other liberal democracies

A
  • House of Lords and head of state isn’t elected
  • uncodified constitutions
  • convention that royal powers (royal prerogative) which is exercised by the prime minister
35
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of referendums and initiatives as a form of electoral reform

A

Pro
Boost overall political engagement by bringing decisions to people

avoid broken promises

Con

Low turnout so potentially invalid

Tyranny of the majority

Govt shutdown

36
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of recall elections as a form of electoral reform

A

Pro
constituents can vote to remove representatives

give public more power

In 2015 these were introduced such that if an MP is convicted of a serious offence 10% of their constituents can sign a petition and call an election.

Con
Extremely rare
Tyranny of the minority
politicised

37
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of Primary Election as a form of electoral reform

A

Pro
Choice over which candidate each party might have

opens up democracy

Con

Extremely expensive with low funding

38
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of lower voting age as a form of electoral reform

A

Pro

More engagement
less disenfranchisement
allows parties to appeal to more voters

Con

younger people dont may tax
are younger people old enough to make an informed decions
youth turnout is low

39
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of compulsory voting as a form of electoral reform

A

Pro
Done in Australia where turnout is higher

Con
Do people make an informed choice
is this democratic
random voting

40
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of digital democracy as a form of electoral reform

A

Pro
use tech to engage and inform the public

Con
Rise of populism
Reform and Trump both used social media

UK Politics and Government (12 decks)

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