democracy and participation Flashcards
Direct democracy
A system where the people make political desicions
representative democracy
a system where citizens elect representatives on there behalf
power
the ability someone has to make us do something
authority
the right to use power
authority is…
authority is conditional on the widely held acceptance
Accountability
the idea that governments answer to the public and they judge the governments actions
vote of no confidence
parliament dismissing government
Manifesto
a list of policies a party delivers during an election
Mandate
when the public supports the government to carry out the policies on the manifesto.
- an expression of public opinion
what does a mandate do
provides the government legitimacy to exercise power
governing mandate
public support to act according to changing events eg covid
personal mandate
the public places there support in the PM as supposed to the party
doctrine of the mandate
- the government should carry out everything in there manifesto
- gives meaning to election results
-allows the public to hold the government accountable based on how well they delivered there manifesto.
List 3 benefits of direct democracy
- the public have a genuine political impact on decision making
- potential to unite the public
-instills a sense of civic duty into the public
list 3 drawbacks of direct democracy
-makes decision making longer and less efficient
-the public get ‘voter fatigue’
- laws passed may target specific groups
explain how direct democracy could lead to ‘a tyranny of the majority’
- public initiatives may target specific minority groups
- this leads to a situation where the majority are voting against a minority of people who don’t have the numbers to overwhelm the majority vote
- This then means the decisions effecting the minority ate decided by the majority and the minority don’t get a say
explain how direct democrat could lead to a ‘tyranny of the minority’
the public get ‘voter fatigue’ leading to a lower levels of participation.
- this could lead to only the politically active and those with the resources and education voting.
this creates divide as only people from certain demographics are voting for the whole population.
list 3 issue of the doctrine of the mandate
-voters don’t necessarily understand or are aware of all the policies in there manifesto
-a policy mandate isn’t practical due to unforeseen events
-individual policies cant be separated from the whole manifesto
what are the 4 features of a healthy democracy
-participation
-accountability
-representation
- the rule of law
what is the rule of law
’ everyone is equal before the law, no one is above the law’
participation crisis
the lack of people voting in elections is effecting the legitimacy of those governing.
this makes the country less democratic.
good Friday agreement
bought an end to the troubles in northern island.
allowed northern island to establish its own parliament with shared power between parties.
Trade unions
a group of employees who join together to ensure fair and good working standards
direct action
protesting for change without going through parliament.
civil disobeidence
justifiable law breaking for a cause
democratic deficit
a flaw in the democratic system where decisions are made by those who lack legitimacy.
constitution
a set of principles for the government to follow which describes the relationship between government and the public.
initiative
gives people the power to propose new laws
recall elections
where the public trigger an election to remove an official before there term is over
by elections
when a seat in the house of commons becomes empty between general elections
suffrage/franchise
the right to vote
Edmund burke
came up with the trustee model
representatives have the voters best interests at heart which isn’t necessarily what the voter wants
valance
competency and integrity
post Thatcherite consensus
a general move towards right wing economics
eg labour shifting to the center
casual representation
where representatives aren’t representing people but ideas
representation of national interest
when individuals are trying to do whats best for the country
lobbying
having direct contact with important decision makers such as government ministers
pluralism
a democratic society where a wide range on competing political views are tolerated
elitism
the concentration of power into a wealthy political class supported by businesses
altruistic
aims to benefit all of society
civil liberties
freedom (negative rights- you can do anything unless legally prohibited)
Human rights
prescribed ( positive rights)
judicial precedence
laws that has been as new cases arise
think tanks
groups of professionals who work with government and do there own research
sectional groups
represent specific groups in the workforce.
closed membership
seek close relationship with government
virtue signalling
superficial support for a campaign.
a lesson in self promotion
