democracy and participation Flashcards
2wwhat are voters like in direct democracies
make their own political decisions and are directly involved in the process of political decision making
- they vote themselves on policies and laws which are made by government
- decisions reached by a majority voting decision
e.g. some important decisions made by referendums
how are referendums an example of direct democracy
citizens directly vote on issues, government creates policy based on respone
e.g. uk eu referendum 2016, 33 million uk citizens voted- 51.89% voted leave
alternative vote referednum 2011, 19 million voted against alternative vote system - chose to keep fptp
how are online petitions an example of direct democracy
uk parliament setting up platform for citizens to make and sign online petitions
if petition gains over 100,000 signatures, then parliament may debate the topic (but this topic must be sponsored by the backbench business committee)- so arguably not entirely a direct democracy
example (1.6 million signing petition to stop us president donald trump from making a state visit to the uk- mps then debated trumps visit to parliament, changed it from a state visit to working visit in 2018)
how are rallies and protests an example of direct democracy
groups of people worried about government or political actions, (gather to demonstrate their support of disapproval)
- however government do not respond to these protests
examples-
2017, thousands of citizens protest in london aginst governments economic and political decisions (people disapproving of austerity measures)
2010, thousands of students in london marching to protest against tuiton fees
what are advantages of direct democracy
citizens become educated on key political issues (alternative vote referendum 2011 educated public on different kinds of voting ) - education
transparency- ensures a strong level of openess between citizens and the government
cooperation- people more likely to engage in political process if they believe their opinion will make a difference
argued to be purest type of democracy, - does not involve any interpretation
all votes are counted equally, (representative democracies- some constituencies are bigger than others- bigger constituencies each vote coutns for less)
in direct democracies, each vote counts the same amount towards important decisions
wishes of the people- direct democracy ensures the will of the people is clear, government is given clear directive to act
disadvantages of direct democracy
those voting may not be experts, public has to make important political decisions but voters may be less knowledgable and less able to make an informed decision than a representative politician
-it is impractical- direct democracy system is very time consuming, expensive, not practical to make frequent decisions
(for big countires with millions of citizens it is especially difficult) e.g. cabinet office: total cost of 2016 eu referendum was $142.4 million(including cost of running polling station and counting vote)
a direct democracy system can be manipulated: way that questions are phrased and timing of them can manipulate results
e.g.2016 eu referendum was changed from yes/no to remain/leave
(yes no quesitions many benefit the yes side )
electorate can be influenced by influential political figures, campaigns or media
-people may vote with emotion rather than considering all options available
representative democracy?
In a representative democracy, citizens vote for an individual to represent them in the making of laws and political decisions.
how does representation work in a representative democracy
elected representatives from organised parties make decisions on behalf of their voters
-regular elections give respresentatives authority and make system more legitimate
uk is a representative democracy, mps are elected to parliament by electorate in general election
mps in uk are accountable to citizens who have voted for them
political power in uk mainly held by representatives (not public)
role of members of parliament in a representative democracy
in general elections, voters vote for a candidate to represent local area called a constituency- there are 650 constituencies so 650 representatives voted for by citizens
winning candidate gains a seat in house of commons
(representatives act on behalf of constituency in parliament)
uk general elections in a representative democracy
elections take place every 5 years in may
(parliament can decide to hold an election earlier in a vote of no confidence in government or 2/3 voting in favour of a general election)
- most recent was december 2019, conservatives won 43.6% popular vote
role of question time in a representative democracy
mps question members of government on issues they are responsible for, often be on matters of concern to their constituents
prime minister’s question time, takes place once a week, leader of the opposition and mps question the prime minister on significiant issues (often on behalf of the voters they represent)
role of debate in a representative democracy
mps can propose and debate and debate themselves in parliament(on various issues which will have importance for the voters they represent )
role of laws in a representative democracy
way in which mps vote on laws in parliament can be based on representing views of constituents e.g. mp ken clarke , anna soubry voted in favour of giving parliament a vote on any brexit deal which is reached - represnting constituents and going against conservative party
advantages of a representative democracy
Representative democracy can mean that decisions are made with expertise, represent the voting public, are practical, and decision-makers are held accountable.
1- representation: representatives mean all in society are accounted for
-protected interests of minority groups
-they put together interests and demands of voters and making policy proposals that work best
(voters in direct democracies, lots of different demands and difficulties in those decisions)
2-expertise: representatives better informed to make political decisions, greater expertise and knwoledge than rest of population
(public educated on public policy and current political issues)
3-accountability=public and institutions can hold representatives accountable, in direct democracies it is harder to hold people as a whole accountable
4-practicality- citizens cannot always be expected to make decisions, election of representatives act on their behalf - more practical and beneficial
disadvantages of representative democracy
Representative democracy can have some disadvantages, such as the exclusion of minorities, the limited accountability of representatives and when representatives don’t act in the public’s interest.
1-delegates or trustees, act as delegates: express the view of those they represent
(or as trustees), have more freedom to choose actions they think will be best for constituents: if a trustee, but voters want them to be delegate- they may not accurately represent wish of voters
2- inaccurate representation, parliament may not have descriptive representation (same charatceristics as those they are representing) e.g. 29% of MPs are privately educated, only 7% of UK is.
may not have substantive representation, (represnetatives advocating on behalf of certain groups) e.g. david cameron push to legalise gay marriage in uk- not gay
_parliament needs both to properly represent
3-self interest, representatives choosing to act in their own best interest, or in best of a select few constituents rather than all
4-low participation levels: if few participate in elections, representatives not accurately reflecting those they represent in parliament
(turnoutn for eu parliament election- 35.6% in 2014 so more marginal and radical parties have seats)
(ukip won 26.6% of uk popular vote in european parliament but at 2-15 general election only won 12.6 % of vote)
trustees
act in best interest of constituents
delegates
express view of constituents
examples of representative democracy
1962 orpington by election
substantive
acting on behalf of certain groups
similarities between direct and representative democracies
both allowing voters to vote to make important decisions
use mandates from public to make decisions
differences between direct and representative democracies
each voter makes decisions on their own in direct democracies
representative- reprresentatives making decisions on behalf of voters
-each vote may be worth different due to different size of constituency
direct democracy uses mandates from public votes
representatives-votes for a representative is taken as a mandate or votes for several representatives
mandate
when political party or decision maker has authority to make decisions/ put out policy
winning a seat in election gives members of parliament a mandate from their voters
case for democratic reform
There have been some calls for democratic reform in the UK, as institutions may not represent the public to the best of their ability.
democratic defecit
democracy was not working as intended- failing to sufficiently hold people accountable , failing legitimacy
(problems with representative democracy in practice)
demorcratic defecit example case- low voter turnout
uk election turnout fell after 1997
(although rising again)
eleciton turnout low in elections other than general election, such as european parliament and location elections 35.6% in 2014 eu parliament election
democratic defecit- example case, the voting system
fptp creates two party system
parties without any large, country-wide base finds it hard to gain seats
-two main parties can win less than 40% of vote but still win majority
-fptp creates safe seats, one party is almost certain to win (opposition voters may feel their interests unrepresented)
-in votes with many candidates, popular vote may split candidate with low vote may win
(IN belfast 2015, winning candidate had 24.5% of vote)
democratic defecit- institutions
house of lords has mostly unelected membership, some peers hereditary, inherited title
house doesnt share many characteristics with uk public- costs taxpayer money
supreme court- unelected institution with power to challenge laws
democractic defecit- eu
eu regulations are binding- member statesdo not get to pick and choose the ones they wanna obey
e.g. free movement of labourmeans gov cannot restrict immigration to eu
- several movements across europe to leave euoprean union as a result (accordingly uk leaves eu in 2016- brexit)
examples of democratic reform - lowering voting age
many argue 16 to 18 year olds should have parliamentary representation
scotland- legislation passed in 2015 to allow 16 year olds to vote in scottish elections
16 year olds allowed to vote in 2014 referendum
examples of democratic reform - complusory voting
having voting as a legal duty, and fining people for not voting is a way of increasing turnout
- make election results more representative of entire electorate
australia- compulsory voting exists, turnout usually 95% at elections
democractic reform -e.g. house of lords reform
want to reform the house as they are not elected and not representative of electorate but has important say in legislation passed
lib dems proposed introducing elected second chamber e.g a senate
democratic reforms- online voting
currently- voting involves time and money of setting up polling stations and providing physical resources
onlie voting from phones and computers could reduce these costs
voters may find it difficult coming to polling stations- especially if they cannot take time off work
online voting more likely to engage with younger voters and people who are too busy to vote- might increase election turnout
democratic reform- electoral reform
moving away from first past the post to alternative voting system
cases against reform- media scrutiny
media acts to scrutinise politics and hold politicians to account
effective way of monitoring uk politics and informing voters
election participation- cases against reform
uk election participation at similar level to other western democracies
cases against reform- importance of pressure groups
pressure groups allow representation of minority groups ,to scrutinise government
pressure groups inform the public on key issues, engage the public in key politics
cases against reform- no major demand for reform
changes to voting systems have been rejected, major house of lords reform has been rejected in 2012 by coalition government
2011 voted against alternative voting system
criticism of direct democracy
impractical- time consuming and costly, 2016 eu referendum cost cabinet office over 140 million
voters not experts on issues they have direct voting on
way questions are phrased, the timing of them can manipulate votes
effectiveness of direct democracy depends on size of electorate, nature of issue
mandates important in a representative democracy
mandate is when polcticial party or decision maker has authority to make decisions or implement policies
elected politicians require mandates to give them legitimacy
auhtoi=rity dervied from expressed consent of voters in a constitution under representative democracy
(random citizen declaring themselves as representative does not give them authority)
example of safe seats
e/g liverpool walton for labour
- whereby votes are not worth the same
history of uk suffrage
Before the Great Reform Act, there were several problems with the UK franchise. These were addressed over the last two centuries, and the UK has greatly reformed the franchise.
what is franchise / suffrage
suffrage, or having the franchise, - right and ability to engage in politics and vote in politics
extending franchise means increasing number of people who can vote in elecitons
problems with uk franchise
early 1800, only 400,000 people could vote- constituenices were boroughs/countries
rules meant wealthy individuals could vote multiple times and others could not vote at all
different boroughs had different rules on who could vote
small rotten boroughs with few people living there had an mp, growing industiral cities did not have enough representation
constituency reform was needed
women excluded as well as many working class men
acts of parliament for franchise- 1832 great refrom act
One of the main ways the UK has reached near-universal suffrage is through successive governments passing Acts of Parliament.
many rotten boroughs abolished
representation given to more urban areas
in countries, more people given franchise like tenant farmers
act gave vote to middle class people in boroughs (e.g. small landowners and shopkeepers)
most working men could not vote still because act still required property
acts of parliament for franchise- 1918 rep of people act
let women vote in general elections
(women over 20, graduates, owning property, married given vote)
all men aged over 21 given vote
1918 act passed by wartime coalition government
act passed party due to pressure to give vote to working class men without property who served country in army
1928 rep of people act
extended suffrage to all women
passed under conservative goverment
1969 rep of people act
extended suffrage to people under 21
after attitudes to adulthood changed
passed under labour government
Women’s Suffrage in the UK
The women’s suffrage campaign was important and changed lots of attitudes in UK politics. The women’s campaign brought the question of suffrage to the table before the First World War.
suffragettes
e.g. women’s social and political union
direct militant methods to show urgency of womens suffrage
setting fire to buildings
attacking post boxes
attempting to hurt police
campaigners were imprisoned for their actions
suffragettes in prison, went on hunger strikes, force fed,
their actions made public struggle
many criticised liberal government
suffragists -
tried to achieve vote through peaceful method
tried to get a bill passed in house of parliament
organised cross part support, and convince, and lobby politicians, of the importance of female suffrage
suffragists used peaceful demonstration, gathered support with petitions
successful in getting bills to parliament
- none made into a law
debates over suffrage
argue suffragettes were too militant in their techniques , hindered cause by alienating government
suffragists, more effective because they used peaceful methods, their contribution to suffrage has been underappreciated
votes at 16
campaign group, votes at 16 group run by several different campaign groups, national union of students and british youth council
arguemnts for votes at16
16/18 can pay income tax
and join army but not represented in parliament
young epople taught about citizenshiop and politics in school
educated about politics
arguments against votes at 16
under 18s not mature enough, few countires allow 16, youth turnout usually low during elections
under 18 turnout not expected to be different
political support
brought up in 2008 private member’s bill, sponsored by julie morgan, bill ran out of time in parliament, some success at 16 to 18 allowed to vote in scottish independence referendum
all major uk parties supprt vote at 16 apart from conservatives who hold power
what are pressure groups
Pressure groups are organised groups of individuals brought together for the purpose of fulfilling a specific goal, or because of a common cause.
how do pressure groups work
Pressure groups aim to influence policies and political decisions or change public attitudes without looking to gain political office.
Pressure groups have a narrowly focused aim or goal which is shared with all pressure group members.
insider groups
they have regular contact with decision makers
able to work inside political system
often consulted on specific policy issues by gov departments, mps, political parties, committees
privileges of insider groups
privlege as they may be regarded as moderate than any other pressure group
needto be careful to keep government on their side
, tends not to make extreme demand
methods of influence- working closely with those in political system, rather than extreme methods like direct action
examples of insider groups
national institute for healthcare and excellence, work with gov to make policy around healthcare and nhs
confederation of british industry (cbi)
national farmers union (nfu) both regularly consulted by government
raxpayer’s alliance,close linkswith conservative party
outsider groups
not consulted by the government- dont have direct and regular contact with decision makers and do not operate through influencing those within political systems
they aim to gain support of public opinion
undertake methods of influencing policy which involve working outside political systems
potential insider may aim to work inside political system
examples of outsider groups
fathers4justice campaign for fathers to have equal rights after separation
occupy movement campaign for balance between executive and worker pay
plane stupid - pressure group against expansion of uk airports
amnesty international - potential outsdier group
Sectional and promotional groups
Groups may target issues in different ways. Sectional groups only target the interests of a certain section of society, and promotional groups target single issues.
sectional groups
represent a specific section of society
-do not campaign for broarder issues
-concerned with protecting and advancing interests of members
example of sectional groups
house builders federation represent voice of house building interest
british medical association, 160,000 doctors
promotional groups
