Democracy and Participation Flashcards
What is the definition of DEMOCRACY ?
All of the citizens are equally entitled to participate in society’s decisions about it’s policies
What is the definition of DIRECT DEMOCRACY?
A form of democracy in which the citizens themselves, rather than there representatives, make political decisions.
What is the definition of REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ?
A form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf, held accountable in elections.
What is the definition of LEGITIMACY?
The right to rule through the consent and agreement of the people.
What are the SIMILARITIES between representative and direct democracy?
- All people have universal suffrage (allowed to express their opinions)
- Voters still have the duty to educate themselves on policies.
What are the DIFFERENCES between representative and direct democracy ?
- In direct democracy, voters do not have to as heavily debate on laws and policies.
- In direct democracy, voters do not have to gain political power through elections.
- Representative democracy makes some feel powerless + corruption/boredom with politics is common.
- Representative democracy creates a divide between people and the government.
ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY ?
- It ensures people have to obey the laws they make themselves ( General Will)
- It makes people feel a direct connection to what is happening in the country.
- It creates better informed and politically engaged citizens.
DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY ?
- It is practically unworkable in modern political conditions due to the millions of people all with different opinions.
- It doesn’t work for complex and in depth decisions.
- It would mean that politics would become a even bigger part of people’s lives.
ADVANTAGES OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ?
- It can operate in large, modern societies and it has aspects of Direct Democracy.
- It means ordinary citizens are relieved of the burden of day to day decision making.
- Politicians are more expertise and try to be unbiased for the mass of the people.
DISADVANTAGES OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ?
- It puts a lot of trust into the politicians who could distort public opinion and put their own spin on things.
- People can easily switch off from politics and not be as involved as they would be.
- It is experiencing a crisis.
What is the definition of a PARTICIPATION CRISIS ?
A crisis in citizen involvement in the processes aimed at influencing government and policies, undermining the legitimacy of elected institution.
How can citizens participate in Politics ?
- Take individual actions
- Voting
- Join a Party
- Getting involved in Pressure Group.
- FOR a Participation Crisis ( VOTING )
- Voter turnout decreased from a 75% average in 1945 -1992 to 59% in 2001.
- There is only a minority engaging in elections which is unrepresentative of society ( 68%: professional workers and managerial roles / 53% : unskilled or not working )
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (VOTING)
- 58% of people would say they would be willing to vote in a general election if they had a issue.
- In significant referendums, there is a high voter turnout NI 1998- 81% and Scottish Independence - 85%.
- FOR a Participation Crisis ( PARTY MEMBERSHIP)
- mass membership has declined + strong party loyalties’: Tory’s 1953- 2,806,000 to 180,000 and labour’s 1,005,000 to 485,000 (2019)
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (PARTY MEMBERSHIP)
- In smaller parties, there has been a rise in party membership (SNP and Green Party )
- The quality of party membership has increased so people are attracted to being able to participate more.
- FOR a Participation Crisis (GROUP POLITICS)
- The decline of the trade union movement due to the decline of manual jobs such as coal mining (2016: 6.23 m - 1979: 13.2 m ).
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (GROUP POLITICS)
- The formation of new pressure groups due to things such as the environment.
- FOR a Participation Crisis (DIRECT ACTION)
- Direct action is seen as a challenge to democracy and traditional forms of participation (anti-war movement and anti- capitalist).
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (DIRECT ACTION)
- Movements such as BLM can be organised and are loosely flexible for the right political agenda and attract mass participation
FOR a Participation Crisis (INDIVIDUAL ACTION)
- Some critics feel individual participation is fleeting rather than sustained and at a very low level of engagement as it needs little effort.
AGAINST a Participation Crisis (INDIVIDUAL ACTION)
- It allows individual to express themselves and their concerns freely rather than having them moderated by parties.
What is a DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT?
- A flaw in the democratic process whereby decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy
What are the features of DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT ?
- Voters are disengaged and not voting.
- Elected representatives are viewed as unaccountable.
- Politicians have struggled to make reforms to increase engaged.
What is a REFERENDUM ?
- A vote on a specific issue, such as amending the constitution or a political issue. (1998 Good Friday Agreement)
Should there be a increase in Referendums ?
( FOR)
- 55% of the population stated that they want a increase in Referendums
- Large engagement
- Give people vote + greater control of legislation.
Should there be a increase in Referendums ?
(AGAINST)
- Suspicion that governments will only call referendums on issues that they are confident of winning.
- May increase voter fatigue.
- Undermines representative democracy.
What are Initiatives ?
- It allows people to propose a new law by gathering signatures from the public.
Should the UK used Initiatives ?
(FOR)
- Gives the public more direct control over making laws
- Makes the legislature more responsive to issues which are important for the public.
Should the UK use Initiatives ?
(AGAINST)
- Removes politicians from making decisions.
- Could cause a scenario where the majority oppress the rights of the minority e.g. in 2009, Swiss voted to ban the construction of minarets.
What are Recall Elections?
- It allows constituents to trigger a special election to remove an elected representative before the end of their term in office.
Should the criteria for recall elections be widened ?
(FOR)
- If an MP fails to deliver on promised or doesn’t properly represent their constituents, then they could be removed.
- May strengthen the link between public and politicians.
- Should lead to less corruption by elected officials.
Should the criteria for recall elections be widened ?
(AGAINST)
- May remove the ability of MPS to think for themselves, rather than mouthpieces for electorate.
- The public may believes lies or slander spread by an antagonistic media or rival.
- It creates a tense an poisonous atmosphere in politics.
Should there be voting reform ?
(FOR)
- Weekend and Online Voting : Turnout in European countries is 10% in countries which use weekend voting.
- Compulsory Voting : It increases the legitmacy of elected bodies. Option of ‘none of the above’
- Reducing voting age.
Should there be a voting reform ?
(AGAINST)
- Concerns about electoral fraud and secrecy of ballot. Weekend voting could involve additional cost.
- People should be able to decide whether to participate in lections or not.
- Critics argue that most 16-18 have little interest in politics.
Examples of Insider Groups
- The National Farmers Union
- The Royal College of Nurses
Examples of Outsider Groups
- Just Stop Oil
- Black Lives Matter
- PETA
Examples of Casual Groups
- Greenpeace
- PETA
- Unlock democracy.
Examples of Sectional Groups
- Age UK
-Muslim Council of Britain. - Taxpayer’s Alliance.
What is a INSIDER GROUP?
- They have close links with decision makers at all levels.
- Often consulted by policy makers and can offer expert advice and information + employ lobbyist.
What is a OUTSIDER GROUP ?
- They do not have close links with the government and they usually use campaigning often through new media
- Civil Obedience.
What is a SECTIONAL group ?
- They present a particular section of the community in the UK and they seek public support, direct links with decision makers and tend to use the responsible “parliamentary” route.
What is a CASUAL group ?
- They promote a particular cause and aim to convert the ideas behind the cause into government action or parliamentary legislation.
- Often use direct action ( Civil Disobedience and public demonstration)
