Democracy and Participation Flashcards
What is the difference between power and authority
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
What do we mean when we say that the govt is legitimate
legitimate- Whether it is accepted that a government has the right to hold power and legislate
What is democracy
The idea that political participation is equal with universal suffrage and that power resides with the people
What is direct democracy
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
What is representative democracy
When the electorate devolves power to a representative to thusly act on their behalf. This is done through elections
What are the advantages of direct democracy
- genuine democracy
- responsibility is on people for the course of an action
What are the disadvantages of direct democracy
- 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
What are the advantages of representative democracy
- 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
What are the disadvantages of representative democracy
- 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
Are referendums binding on parliament or are they only advisory
legally speaking parliament is sovereign and hence cannot be bound by the outcome of a referendum however the political consequences would be significant
How much influence does parliament and the govt have over referendums
Brexit- UKIP forced lots of David Cameron’s hand.
Parliament calls the referendum and also produces wording for the referendum question
what are initiatives
Publicly backed referendums on a specific issue of topic
How are referendums different in America
in 24 states 8% of population can call for a referendum (initiatives) to tale place
what sort of issues are usually decided by referendums in the UK
Constitutional legal and deeply politicised issues.
Like devolution or Brexit.
Local councils can also hold referendums.
What sort of issues are voted on in US initiatives and referendums
In California tax policy and in the 2024 election there were also initiatives around the topic of abortion
Why has the use of referendums increased since 1997
- New Labours constitutional change needed specific local mandates
- more informed electorate due to the rise of social media
What happens if a single party wins a majority of seats in the house of commons
leader of that party is invited to form a government and then by convention gains the royal prerogative by becoming prime minister
What are the main differences between government and parliament
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
What are the main differences between parliamentary and presidential democracy
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.
If parliament is sovereign why are they so many other elections in the UK
Other institutions like the PCC, councils and local mayors do need to be elected.
What are the different theories for ho MP’s should represent their constituency
Delegate- mouthpiece
Trustee model-
Mandate
Aside from voting how wiles can we participate in our representative democracy
E- petitions
Writing to MP’s
Activistum
campaigning
visiting MP’s
Pressure Groups
How has turnout changed in UK elections changed in recent decades
Lower turnout since WW2
Lowest turnout is in election like the Police and Crime Commissioner
Why is turnout important in representative democracy
Turnout translates into legitimacy and mandate
What is differential turnout? Why are average turnout stats so misleading
Average turnout provides a distorted image of democratic participation
In the 2017 general election only 53% voted in Glasgow NE
What evidence is there of partisan dealignment in the uk
More polarised electorate
Voters make a less partisan and more rational choice
What is meant by ‘apathy’ and ‘hapithy’ and why might these affect turnout levels
Apathy- disinterested
hapathy- content lives so there is no motivation for change
Why might formal political participation be healthier than previously thought
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
What is e-democracy and what examples of it can be found in the UK
e- petitions (petitions committee)
Social media
What is liberal democracy
A democracy where free and fair elections with universal suffrage and where representatives decide democratically national action
What is a constitution? Why are constitutions important in Liberal Democracies
rights belonging to citezens and roles of each branch
What features would we expect to find in a liberal democracy
- Entrenched civil liberties and rights
- tolerance to views and groups
- Free press
In what way does the UK conform to the features of a liberal democracy
- 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
In what ways does our political system contrast with other liberal democracies
- 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
Advantages and disadvantages of referendums and initiatives as a form of electoral reform
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
Advantages and disadvantages of recall elections as a form of electoral reform
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
Advantages and disadvantages of Primary Election as a form of electoral reform
Pro
Choice over which candidate each party might have
opens up democracy
Con
Extremely expensive with low funding
Advantages and disadvantages of lower voting age as a form of electoral reform
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
Advantages and disadvantages of compulsory voting as a form of electoral reform
Pro
Done in Australia where turnout is higher
Con
Do people make an informed choice
is this democratic
random voting
Advantages and disadvantages of digital democracy as a form of electoral reform
Pro
use tech to engage and inform the public
Con
Rise of populism
Reform and Trump both used social media
