Democracy and Participation Flashcards
What is a constitution?
A set of rules society has to follow
What are the 2 types of constitution?
Codified and Uncodified
What does a codified constitution mean and name an example of a country that uses that type of constitution?
The rules is all in one document, like USA.
What does a uncodified constitution mean and name an example of a country that uses that type of constitution?
The rules are in many documents, like the UK.
Define the term Populist.
Someone who is placed in power due to their popularity (i.e. Donald Trump).
What were Plato’s 4 main criticisms on democracy?
-Lack of authority and respect would lead to disorder
-People would not respect their peers and their decisions
-Interests of the majority leave the minority behind
-Lack of equality (e.g. women, slaves and children not given the right to vote or represent people
What 2 things did Plato believe about democracy?
-People should be ruled by their superiors
-Democracy told people they are equal, yet in reality, they are not
What is a Direct Democracy?
A democracy where people themselves make key decisions; in modern societies this usually takes the form of holding referendums.
What is a Representative (indirect) Democracy?
A democracy where people elect or somehow choose representatives who make political decisions on their behalf; it also implies that representatives are accountable for what they do.
Name 2 advantages of a Direct Democracy.
-Peoples voices are heard
-Avoids delay and deadlock within the political system
-Gives great legitimacy
Name 3 disadvantages to Direct Democracy.
-Can lead to ‘tyranny of the majority’, as in an indirect democracy, representatives can mediate between the interests of minorities and majorities
-People too easily swayed to populist people/ideas short-term
-Too complex for the general public to fully understand
Name 2 advantages in a Representative (Indirect) Democracy.
-The general public cannot be expected to have the time or interests in important/regular issues and decisions
-Reps can educate the public on political issues
Name 2 disadvantages of Representative (Indirect) Decomcracy.
-Representatives may distort peoples demands to suit their own preferences
-Representatives may try not to hold the level of accountability they should
What is a Manifesto?
A statement of a parties agreed policies produced during an election campaign to inform the public about the political platform upon which its candidates are standing; candidates for the party are expected to support the manifesto and usually do in the UK.
What is a democracy?
Where people have the right to make a decision or an opinion that the government has to bear in mind.
Define a Limited Goverment.
The belief that the government should have certain restrictions in order to protect the individual rights and civil liberties of citizens so there is no misuse of power.
What is a democratic deficit?
An insufficient level of democracy in political institutions and procedures in comparison with a theoretical ideal of a democratic government.
What is pluralism?
The view that liberal democracies power is (or should be) dispersed among a variety of economic and ideological pressure groups and is not (or should not be) held by a single elite or group of elites.
What is Elitism?
A belief that a small minority of people dominate elite and policy-planning network of a country.
What does FPTP mean?
First Past The Post.
What happens in a FPTP system?
The candidate with the most votes in each constituency gets the seat, it is also about where you get your seats from.
Name 1 advantage of a FPTP system.
It stops populist or extremist parties getting too much power.
Name 1 disadvantage of a FPTP system.
Safe seats makes it more tricky to get change.
What do safe seats mean?
Voting for the same party every time.
What is 1 disadvantage of safe seats?
They make it more tricky to get change.
What are the 10 key features of a liberal democracy?
- Peaceful transition of power
- Free elections
- Fair elections
- Widespread participation in politics
- Freedom of expression and information
- Freedom of Association
- Protection of rights and liberties
- The rule of law
- Independent Judiciary
- Limited government and constitutionalism
What does The peaceful transition of power mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
That those who lose power by democratic means accept the authority of those who have won.
What does Free Elections mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
All adults are free to vote and to stand for office, often described as ‘universal suffrage’; No significant groups (like women) are excluded.q
What do Fair Elections mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
That everyone has the right to one vote each where they are all of equal value, to avoid electoral fraud and ballot-rigging.
What does Widespread participation in politics mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
A well informed and active population can prevent government becoming too dictatorial.
What does Freedom of expression and information mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
Free media with no government censorship or interference to ensure democracy survives.
What does Freedom of association mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
The freedom to form parties or pressure groups, if their aims and methods are legal
What does Protection of rights and liberties mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
The idea that the rights and liberties of citizens should be firmly safeguarded, and it should be enforced.
What does The rule of law mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
The basic principle that all citizens should be treated equally under the law and that the government should b`e subject to the same laws as citizens.
What does Independent Judiciary mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
Ensuring that the rule of law is upheld, so everyone is treated equally under law and that government does not exceed its authority.
What does Limited Government and constitutionalism mean?
(in terms of key features in a liberal democracy)
Setting firm limits to the power of government; this can be done by constitutionalism, define the government in a constitution which will be enforced by the forces of law to limit the governments power.
What are the 5 different intensity levels of participation?
- Standing for election
- Active party membership
- Active pressure group membership
- Digital activist
- Voting
Name 3 reasons that participation is essential for a healthy democracy.
- Reduces accountability
- Low turnout risks undermining legitimacy of the government
- Leads to ‘elective dictatorship’
What is a metropolitan authority?
The local government of a city or area (large e.g. London, West Mids.).
Define a Manifesto.
A list of political parties policies that they put together before an election.
What is suffrage?
The right to vote, like being enfranchised, hence the suffragettes (women voting protests).
When did women get the right to vote and which women were eligible?
1918, if they were married or owned land.
When was the Scottish referendum?
2014
When was the EU referendum?
2016
When was the last coalition in the UK and who did it concern?
2010, Lib Dems and Conservatives.
What are pressure groups called in the US?
Interest groups.
What is a promotional group?
A group who seek to promote a particular cause which anyone can become members of.
What is a sectional group?
A group that represents a certain part of society, and only people of that society can be a member.
What is a Think tank?
A group of experts from different backgrounds to offer solutions to political issues.
Name 1 way pressure groups support democracy.
They get the public involved in politics.
What is one way that Think Tanks support democracy?
They include people from many different backgrounds, so it is more representative.
What is one way that pressure groups hinder democracy?
They may use threats or bribery so that the gov. do what they want them to do.
What are 2 ways that Think Tanks hinder democracy?
- They may recommend something just because they want it to happen, so they are bias
- Partially pointless, they can just be ignored.
Are there any ways that Lobbyists support democracy?
NO. BIG FAT NO.
What are 2 ways that Lobbyists hinder democracy?
- Allows rich people (who can afford to hire them) voices heard first
- Use bribes
Are there any ways that Corporations support democracy?
NO. BIG FAT NO.
Name 1 way that Corporations hinder democracy.
Big businesses promote their own interests ahead of everyone else’s.
Define Human Rights.
Absolute, universal and fundamental essentials to life that cannot be removed.
After what catastrophic event did Human Right emerge?
After WW2
What are civil liberties?
the protections citizens have against government and the state.
What are civil rights?
rights guaranteed by the state, which are in practice.
What year was the Magna Carta?
1215
What did the 1215 Magna Carta do?
Limit the power of the monarch and protection from the arbitrary rule.
When was the Bill Of Rights?
1689
What did the 1689 Bill Of Rights do?
Limit the power of the monarch to enter a war
What are the 2 main elements of the European Convention of Human Rights?
- Right to a fair trial
- No punishment without law
When was the Human Rights Act?
1998
What was Article 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Everyone’s life should be protected by law
What was Article 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
No one shall be subject to inhumane torture or treatment.
What was Article 5 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
What was Article 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing.
What was Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
The right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
What was Article 9 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Freedom of thought conscience and religion.
What was Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Freedom of expression
What was Article 12 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Right to marry and found a family
What was Article 14 of the Human Rights Act 1998?
Freedom from Discrimination.
What did the Freedom of Information act 2000 do?
It created legal right for citizens to access information held by public organisations, both personal (relating to them) and widely (the public interest).
When was the Freedom of Information Act?
2000
When was the Equality Act?
2010
What 2 other Acts was the 2010 Equality Act built on top of?
Race Relations Act 1975 and the Equal Pay Act 1970.
What did the 2010 Equality Act do?
Outlaw discrimination against all groups in society.
Parliament is…
…Sovereign.
With rights comes…
…responsibilities
e.g. obey laws, pay taxes, undertake jury service, care for your children.
What conflicting collective right goes against the individual right ‘Freedom Of Expression’?
Offence to religious groups.
What conflicting collective right goes against the individual right ‘Privacy’?
Interception of Communication
What conflicting collective right goes against the individual right ‘Demonstate’?
Hinders community freedom of movement.
What conflicting collective right goes against the individual right ‘Press Freedom’?
Keeping Private lives ‘Private’
What conflicting collective right goes against the individual right ‘To Strike’?
Interrupts delivery of public service.
What are our 2 case studies for pressure groups?
Liberty
Amnesty International
What are Liberty’s 5 methods?
- Public campaigning
- Test case litigation
- Parliamentary work
- Policy analysis
- Free legal advice + information
Name 1 success of a pressure group case study Liberty?
Gulf War, freed 100 Iraqi nationals to be released from being detained due to the susception they were a national security threat.
Name 1 failure of a pressure group case study Liberty?
2019, lost in high court challenging a surveillance law#, as the IPA apparently had ‘several safeguards’ against the possible abuse of power.
What were the 2 reasons as to why the pressure group case study Liberty was successful?
- Diversity in their supporters/workers etc
- Insider group, meets with many people including backbench and frontbench MP’s.
What were the 5 methods used by our case study pressure group Amnesty International?
- Investigating and exposing abuses
- Educating future generations
- Inform the media for awareness
- Publicize concerns
- Confront the gov. with issues
What is 1 success of our pressure group case study Amnesty International?
March 2021, released several prisoners in Bahrain, including 4 children who were trialled as adults, their 6 month sentence was suspended.
What is 1 failure of our pressure group case study Amnesty International?
2019 review found it to be a toxic environment due to bullying.
What are the 6 reasons as to why our pressure group case study Amnesty International is successful?
- Independence
- Long-term commitment
- Global reach
- Collaboration
- Supporters
- Political influence
How much did the Cabinet Office estimate the 2016 EU Referendum to cost to run?
£141m
When was the Alternative Vote referendum and what was the outcome?
2011, people still wanted the FPTP system.
What was one way the EU referendum voting system was changed to avoid bias?
“yes/no” options were changed to “remain/leave”.
