DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION Flashcards

1
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three features of democracy in the UK. p146 (you can link features that match)
A

P – Elections
E – Free and fair with everyone having an equal say regardless of gender, wealth, class ect. General elections happen every 5 years
A – Highly significant – views of the people who policies affect are represented by elected MPs who have their best interests.
P- Accountability and the rule of law
E – Elected officials should be held equally accountable as any other person, anyone who breaks the law should be punished.
A – Very significant in ensuring the Uk is not corrupt and allows democracy to prosper instead of a dictatorship.
P – Smooth transition of power that comes with a legitimate government.
E – Government has been elected fairly and so politicians and people accept defeat, there is also a formal process that comes with handing over power.
A – Increasing significance in our divided society as instead of violence or mass protests, there is stability even in transition periods.

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2
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three features of representative democracy in the UK. p147 and your notes
A

P – The people vote to choose who will represent their views
E – In the UK this occurs in general elections every 4 years and the elected representatives have the knowledge to make difficult decisions on behalf of the voters.
A – This is significant as it is more efficient than direct democracy and the MP’s skills ensures complex issues are fully understood and informed decisions can be made on behalf of the public
P – Representatives are responsible for almost all areas of policy and decision making.
E – This means they are able to take a broader view on issues and balance competing claims.
A – This is highly significance as they can gauge a wider picture of society and rigorously evaluate the severity of issues.
P – Unpopular candidates can be voted out at the next election or sooner at a recall election
E- Successful recall election in Peterborough after a petition with more than 10% of the eligible electorate had signed it.
A - This means that they can be held responsible for their actions very significant, and accountability is a key feature of UK democracy

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3
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three features of direct democracy in the UK. p147-149 and your notes
A

P – One feature of direct democracy are referendums in which the people make decisions based on a specific question.
E – For example, the 2016 EU referendum in which all registered citizens of the EU had right to vote on whether the UK should leave the EU. The results were 52% in favour of leaving so in 2020, the UK finally left the EU. Important as it allows for participation and thus political awareness in a period of apathy. 72% Brexit turnout
A – Somewhat significant as referendums such as AV referendum had only 42.5% turnout - campaign was convoluted and confusing, so participation is not always high in direct democracy.
P – E-petitions which is a modern form of direct democracy.
E – Allows for political engagement in other ways and if a petition gains 10,00 signatures to warrant a response from parliament and 100,000 to be debated in H of C. 184 petitions debated in parliament
A – Only somewhat significant as altough they gain significant media traction, it is unclear how much influence they have on government policies
P – It gives the public “people power” and demonstrates that public opinion has an affect on policy making
E – Not only increases legitimacy of government as decisions are mandates of the people but also stops power being concentrated in the centre.
A – Highly significant as increases the trust and respect in government as the electorate’s decisions matter and puts a check on the power held by the government, preventing a dictatorship of sorts.

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4
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three reforms which extended the franchise in the UK. p150-151 and your notes
A

P – One reform which extended the franchise in the UK was the Great Reform Act of 1832. E- This allowed 1 in five males to vote as previously Britain was an oligarchy in which political power was held in the hands of a small group of voters.
A – Although this only affected 5.6% of the population it was highly significant in paving the way for future reforms
P – Second reform Act 1867
E – Allowed many working-class men in cities to vote, doubling the electorate, meaning that roughly 1/3 of men could vote
A – Somewhat significant as there remained a disparity in the franchise between the cities and the countryside
P – Representation of the people Act 1918 product of social and cultural changes caused by WW1
E – All men over 21 could vote and women over 30 who met the qualifications
A – Very significant as it was the first time the franchise had been extended to women and was the first step in achieving equal votes for men and women which was achieved in 1928.

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5
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three movements that campaigned for the extension of the franchise in the UK. p152-154 and your notes
A

P – Chartists
E – Created the people’s charter which demanded universal suffrage, annual parliamentary elections, equal representations, payment of MPs and vote by secret ballot.
A – This is only somewhat significant as although they gathered huge support in the form of signatures for their petitions, their demands were rejected by Parliament every time they were presented so although their impact inspired other suffrage groups long term and created an awareness, their impact on parliament was not profound.
P – Suffragists
E – Used peaceful protest methods such as petitions, marches etc. to demand for equal votes for men and women. Their leader Fawcett described the movement as “ like a glacier, slow moving but unstoppable” and they had around 100,000 members by 1914.
A – This was significant as it promoted political participation for all women with the NUWSS recognising that they needed to win over working-class women.
P – Suffragettes
E – Suffragettes used more militant approach than the suffragists to protest for the vote for women. They often chained themselves to railings and went on hunger strikes when imprisoned, On top of this, they sold 20,000 copies a week if their newspaper “Votes for women”.
A – Gathered huge amounts of attention and along with the suffragists, were one of the reasons along with WW1 and a change in prime minister as to why women were given the vote partially in 1918 and fully in 1928.

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6
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three arguments for giving prisoners the vote. p155 and your notes
A

P –Felons disproportionately come from disadvantaged socio-economic groups that need representation in democracy.
E - People from poorer backgrounds are less likely to vote and those tried and punished are even less likely.
A – This is a significant advantage as criminal voting can help habituate marginalised citizens to exercise their democratic rights. Additionally, not giving the vote makes rehabilitation harder and alienates them further.
P – Highlight the reforms that need to be made in society as banning prisoners from voting should tell us something about the legitimate complaints these groups have.
E - Martyr Connors went so far as to say that the reason Republicans don’t support the right for prisoners to vote is because “felons don’t tend to vote republican”.
A – This is very important in considering the justness of denying prisoner votes as instead of asking whether prisoner voting unfairly benefits one party, we should instead be considering whether prisoner disenfranchisement unfairly benefits the winning party and whether the ban is to supress further opposition.
P – The ECtHR has ruled against a blanket ban so under the rule of law, the UK must honor its commitment to abide by the courts rulings.
E – Voting is a fundamental right in the UCoHR (Article 3). All articles are said to be equal so why does the UK believe it is entitled to break this Article?
A – This is highly significant because the UK is neglecting it’s duty to the European convention and thus undermining its significance.

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7
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three arguments for giving 16–17-year-olds the vote in general elections. p156 and your notes
A

Act to amend the political apathy. In a joint study, researchers at the University of Sheffield and University of Edinburgh found that young people who began to vote at 16 after the 2014 Scottish independence referendum were not only more likely to vote but were more likely to continue to vote as they grew up. It found that these younger voters had a much higher rate of turnout than 18-24 year-old voters.
Affected by political decisions. A 16 year old may pay tax – A 16 year old may be liable for taxation if the earn over their personal allowance of £12,570. If they are legally considered liable for taxation, they should therefore be considered eligible for having a say on how their taxes are spent. Otherwise, there exists the age-old problem of ‘taxation without representation’. So giving young people their voice and their chance to pursue their own political priorities as they see fit is only a rational response.
Leads to parties neglecting young people who cannot vote for them in order to appeal to older voters who are more likely to vote. Raising pensions and raising university fees.

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8
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three arguments for not giving prisoners the vote. p155 and your notes
A

P – Prisoners have broken their social contract and thus should not be allowed to vote.
E – By breaking the law they should lose their right to say how society is wrong, it is further punishment. David Cameron said prisoners getting the right to vote makes him “physically sick”
A – This is significant as acting as a deterrent and a way of emphasising that the right to vote comes with responsibilities.
P – Should not play a part in selecting MPs for the area they are detained
E – Prisoners concentrated in certain constituencies that have large prisons yet are not normally permanent member of those communities.
A - Only somewhat significant as they are not an overall majority in any constituency so cannot elect a party without significant support from the residents
P – Public opinion is against such a change
E - A YouGov poll in 2012 found that just 8% of the public believed all prisoners should be able to vote and 63% said that all prisoners should not be able to vote
A - The public overwhelmingly agree that they would find it unjust for a prisoner having the same say as law-abiding citizens as to how the country is run

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9
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three reasons for not giving 16-17 year olds the vote in general elections. p156 and your notes
A

Misinformed by the media so do not have sufficient understanding of complex issues ( problem of political education not limited to only 16-18 year olds)
Do not have sufficient motivation to vote. 2001, when only 23% voted 18-24.
Opinion Polls suggest they should stay at 18 – Opinion poll tend to suggest that votes at 16 is seen to be appropriate. In a YouGov poll of 2017 51% opposed lowering the voting age to 16 whilst 26% supported it.

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10
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three ways in which members of the public can participate in politics. p157 you can link the bullet points which match.
A

P – Elections
E – Exercising their right to vote in a range of local, regional and national elections or even standing as a candidate.
A – Somewhat Significant way to directly impact who runs the country and how and thus indirectly impact the policies, participation in some regions such as Glasgow North East in 2019 only 53% voted so public perception of election significance seems low and do not believe their opinions will impact the way the country is run
P – Traditional forms of participation to voice their discontent with certain aspects of policy
E – Writing letters to MPs, joining pressure groups, going on a march or going on strike
A – Significant as anyone can participate and pressure groups such as the NFU (National Farmer Union) have been successful and work very closely with the government.
P – Through the internet and media
E – Following, liking and retweeting political posts on social media and signing e-petitions. 186 Petitions have been debated in the House of Commons and after BREXIT 6 million people signed a signature to revoke Article 50 on the Treaty of the EU.
A – Somewhat significant as although social media has allowed for modern and accessible forms of political participation, it has coined the term “slacktivism” due to the little effort required to engage and no petitions have led to a change in the law or constitution.

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11
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three recent developments in political participation. p157 you can link the bullet points which match.
A

P – E- Petitions
E – 10,000 signatures receive a response and 100,000 signatures means it will be debated in parliament. So far 186 petitions have been debated in the House of Commons
A – Significant, direct way to impact policy – making and propose opposing viewpoints and discontent but no petitions have changed the law thus yet.
P – Through the use of social media to organize gatherings.
E – Organising and participating in protests associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. July 2020 polls in the US revealed that 15-26 million people were estimated to have participated in recent protests.
A – Allowing like-minded people to get together and potentially gather huge amounts of support and media attention
P – Use of social media to express political views
E – Following, retweeting, and liking political posts on social media platforms. Renewed political engagement provoking lively debate and expressing one’s point of views.
A – Somewhat as some would argue it requires little effort and has coined the term “slacktivism” to suggest it is a lazy form of participation.

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12
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three reasons why it has been argued the UK is experiencing a participation crisis? p157-161 and your notes
A

P – Partisan dealignment
E – Voters no longer strongly identify with a party suggests a wider disillusionment with politicians with only 34% of the pubic claiming to be a “very strong” supporters of a political party. 2019 Audit of political engagement.
A – Apathy or hapathy as a reason for low turnouts
P – People believe that they do not influence decision making
E – 15 Year high in the number who “ strongly disagree” that political involvement can change how the UK is run.
A – Representative democracy not representing the views of people in reality perhaps suggesting the sovereignty of parliament is discouraging political participation.
P – Referendums which pose complex or difficult concepts have low turnouts
E – AV turnout 2011 42%. Confusing for electorate. EU elections 2019 – 37% detachment.
A – Not exercising their right to vote in some referendums.

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13
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three reasons why it has been argued the UK is not experiencing a participation crisis? p157-161 and your notes
A

P – Formal participation may be higher than previously thought
E – Aggregate turnout is mismeasured. It is argues that turnout may be as much as 9% higher than previously thought. This is because it is legally possible to be registered in more than one constituency which skews the overall percentage turnout.
A – 2017 general election may have been as high as 80%
P – Participation in pressure groups is high
E – Royal Society for protecting birds has more members than the liberal democrats, labour and conservatives combined
A – Pressure groups are successful in bringing together people with same views
P – Modern forms of non-electoral participation have gained widespread support
E – E-petitions have gained millions of signatures. 6 million to revoke Article 50 on Treaty of European Union after BREXIT
A – Different form of participation but participation nonetheless

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14
Q
  1. Explain and analyse three ways in which the UK can be described as a pluralist democracy. p146 (you can link features that match)
A

P – Regular elections
E – Occur every 5 years and 650 MPs represent their constituencies. Uses FTPT to form strong majority governments to pass their elected manifesto.
A – Somewhat – directly affect the party and people running the country and indirectly the policies however in FTPT there are wasted votes and it is not proportional.
P – Participation
E – E-petitions. 10,000 response. 100,000 debated
A – Directly influence activity and topics in the House of Commons
P – Civil Rights
E – Rights that all citizens are entitled, right to vote, freedom of religion ect.
A – Significant as we all have equal opportunities for participation and life.

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