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Politics A Level - UK Politics > Democracy and Participation > Flashcards

Democracy and Participation Flashcards

1
Q

What 4 things must a government have to maintain a right to govern?

A
  • Legitimacy
  • Authority
  • Power
  • Sovereignty
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2
Q

What is legitimacy?

A

The degree of which a government has to govern

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3
Q

Name and describe the three types of legitimacy

A
  • Traditional - the upholding of a system that has existed for a long time
  • Through force - taking power through actions outside the system
  • Through Consent - achieving power through the choice of the majority of the population of a state
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4
Q

What is authority?

A

The right to exert power

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5
Q

Name and describe the three types of authority

A
  • Traditional - the right to govern as that type pf authority has existed over a long period of time
  • Charismatic - gained through claim due to the people wanting to be governed by a particular leader
  • Legal-rational - gained through a legal/rational way such as elections
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6
Q

What is power?

A

The ability to exert control over a state

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7
Q

Name and describe the three types of power

A
  • Coercive - using force to maintain power (usually physical) such as execution or torture in extreme cases
  • Political - the ability to persuade people. Involves concept of patronage (reward and sanctions) and is the strongest form of power
  • Influence - limited control over groups of people. Examples include that held by newspapers
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8
Q

What is sovereignty?

A

To be the ultimate holder of political power

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9
Q

Name and describe the there types of sovereignty?

A
  • Legal - that which is achieved by law
  • Political - the location of the real power of the country (in theory is meant to be the electorate)
  • Popular - when the people themselves seem to be making the decisions (e.g referendums)
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10
Q

Identify the three branches of government

A

Judiciary
Executive
Legislative

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11
Q

What is the most powerful judicial body in the UK?

A

The Supreme Court

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12
Q

Who makes up the executive in the UK?

A

The Prime Minister and their Cabinet

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13
Q

What is the name of the UK’s legislative body?

A

Parliament

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14
Q

Who is sovereign in the UK?

A

Parliament

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15
Q

What model of government does the UK use?

A

Linear

It involves an input, goes through a process and produces an output

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16
Q

What is democracy?

A

When the citizens of a state have control over the country

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17
Q

What are the three types of democracy?

A
  • Direct
  • Representative
  • Participatory
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18
Q

Describe direct democracy

A
  • The citizens of the state make decision over policy themselves
  • Examples of direct democracy used in the UK are referenda
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19
Q

Describe representative democracy

A
  • Representatives elected by the people make decisions in the interest of the people
  • This is the man type of democracy used in the UK but tat times can fall under the two types
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20
Q

Describe participatory democracy

A

A democracy where citizens participate in political activity (but not being MPs). Citizens voice their views through taking part in pressure groups and actively express their views

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21
Q

What is citizenship?

A

When someone enjoys the rights of a particular state whilst also upholding duties that come with being a member of that state

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22
Q

What are the rights of citizens?

A
  • To be resident of a state
  • To vote in free elections
  • To stand for public office
  • To be treated equally under the law
  • To receive a fair trial if accused of a crime
  • To enjoy civil liberties such as freedom of expression, association, movement, religion and thought
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23
Q

What are duties of citizens?

A
  • To obey the law
  • To accept the legitimacy of the properly constituted government
  • To pay taxes
  • Possibly to contribute some military service
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24
Q

What is active citizenship?

A
  • An idea developed by Labour in the 1990s

* Idea that it is the duty of all citizens to be politically active

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25
Q

What is big society?

A
  • An idea developed under David Cameron’s government
  • Similar to active citizenship, but involves local communities taking control of life and decreasing dependancy on local authorities (e.g free schools)
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26
Q

How can citizens participate in politics?

A
  • Being unformed about issues
  • Contributing to online/real life forums and petitions
  • Voting in elections if possible
  • Joining a pressure group
  • Joining a political party
  • Becoming active in a political party
  • Becoming active in a pressure group
  • Standing for political office
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27
Q

How does democracy establish freedoms?

A
  • Those in power are held to account by the people and therefore must act in a democratic way and for the desires of the people
  • Checks and balances ensure power isn’t abused
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28
Q

How does democracy protect minorities?

A
  • Promote freedom of speech and allows minorities a voice

* Generally speaking, extreme parties are kept away from power

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29
Q

What is a danger of popular democracy?

A

The “tyranny of the majority” means that minority view points are forgotten, ignored or not given space to be heard

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30
Q

What is a referendum?

A

When an issue of national importance is decided by the people through a vote

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31
Q

What are the characteristics of a referendum?

A
  • Results are usually binding - in the UK Parliamentry Sovereignty remains but it is unlikely that they’ll ignore the will of the people
  • A yes of no answer
  • In most cases only 1 question is proposed
  • In most cases parliament decides if a referendum will take place
32
Q

What are some arguments for the use the of referenda?

A
  • Involves the people directly in important issues
  • Currently a low trust in politicians
  • A check on ‘elective dictatorship’. Gives the public a vote more frequently and ensures the gov. can’t do things without consulting people
  • Settles crossparty arguments and entrenched reforms
  • Raises voters political awareness on previously undiscussed issues
33
Q

What are some arguments against the use of referenda?

A
  • Challenge parliamentary sovereignty
  • Public lack expertise to make important decisions
  • Issues can be complicated and poorly explained
  • Low participation can leans to questioning if legitimacy of decision
  • The government chose when they take place and often use them for their own political gain
  • Factors outside the referendum can influence results
34
Q

Name 6 key referendums held in the UK

A 
1975 - Remaining in European Community 
1979 - Welsh and Scottish Devolution 
1998 - Good Friday agreement
2011 - Alternate voting system
2014 - Scottish Independence 
2017 - Leaving the EU
35
Q 
European Community Referendum 
• Date
• Result 
• Percentage outcome won by
• Turnout
A

1975
Yes
67.2%
64.5%

36
Q 
Welsh Devolution Referendum 
• Date
• Result 
• Percentage outcome won by
• Turnout
A

1979
No
79.7%
58.8%

37
Q 
Scottish Devolution Referendum
• Date
• Result 
• Percentage outcome won by
• Turnout
A

1979
Yes
74.3%
60.4%

38
Q 
Good Friday Agreement Referendum 
• Date
• Result 
• Percentage outcome won by
• Turnout
A

1998
Yes
71.7%
81%

39
Q 
Alternate Voting Referendum 
• Date
• Result 
• Percentage outcome won by
• Turnout
A

2011
No
67.9%
42.2%

40
Q 
European Union Exit Referendum 
• Date
• Result 
• Percentage outcome won by
• Turnout
A

2016
Leave
51.9%
72.2%

41
Q

What does the ideal representative democracy have?

A
  • Pluralism - power spread to the many who can express views and access the levels of power
  • Civil liberties - freedom of speech, right to big, associate with a political party
  • Freedom is the press
  • Can hold representative to account
42
Q

What three types of representation are there?

A
  • Burkean representation
  • Parliamentary representation
  • Party Delegation
43
Q

Describe burkean representation

A

Idea that MPs should be independent minded to make decisions they believe are best, which may not represent the views of those they representation

44
Q

Describe parliamentary representation

A
  • Burkean ideas of representation but that representatives should consider the views of other people and their party
  • Used today during ‘free votes in parliament’
45
Q

Describe party delegation

A
  • The type of representation used today

* A political party is the dominant form of representation with MPs voting in line with the party

46
Q 
In 2015 what was the break down of
• Gender
• Sexuality  
• Ethnicity 
• Secondary education background 
of the House is Commons?
A 
Of 650 MPs
• 191 women MPs
• 32 openly LGBT+ MPs
• 41 MPs being of an ethnic minority 
• 49% comprehensive, 32% Private, 19% selective
47
Q 
In 2017 what is the break down of
• Gender
• Sexuality  
• Ethnicity 
• Disability
• Secondary education background 
of the House is Commons?
A 
Of 650 MPs
• 208 women MPs
• 45 openly LGBT+ MPs
• 52 MPs being of an ethnic minority
• Not definitive but around 5  
• 51% comprehensive, 29% Private, 18% selective
48
Q

Give a rough description of voting patterns in elections in the UK since 1945

A

Been in decline since 1945 (post war), in 1997 Labour shifted towards the centre and it dropped turn out drastically due to people not feeling like they were voting for anything different. 2010 saw a rise again due to the Blair leaving, the economic crash of 2008 and the threat of a hung parliament

49
Q

What ways could democracy be improved?

A
  • Embracing technology through E - Voting and online voting
  • Create a system of compulsory voting
  • Extending the franchise to 16 year olds
50
Q

Give examples of how e-democracy is currently used in the UK

A
  • Official online petitions - 10,000 signatures means government has to respond, 100,000 debate in the Commons. No petition has resulted in a debate or legislature
  • Online pressure groups - run petitions and campaigns
  • Organising protests
51
Q

What would be the benefits of having an electronic or phone vote?

A
  • Easily increase turn out
  • Increase participation
  • Could be cheaper
  • Save time
  • Easy to get results as tallies update instantly
52
Q

What are some of the problems with with an electronic or phone vote?

A
  • Can easily be hacked or manipulated
  • Potential to record individual voters information (conflict with secret ballot)
  • Lots of people don’t have access to or own a phone
  • People could steal voting device (impersonation)
  • Bots or fake accounts could be set up
53
Q

What would be the benefits of having a compulsory voting system?

A
  • Social duty as well as right
  • Produce a Parliament representative of the whole population
  • Increase the quality of campaigning and education
  • Groups are not left out of legislation plans/manifestos
54
Q

What would the problems of a compulsory voting system be?

A
  • People believe Voting is a right and so they should be able to chose whether they vote or not
  • Person at the top of the ballot may end up more votes
  • Wouldn’t end a focus on marginalised seats
  • Doesn’t address the deeper reasons for people not voting
55
Q

What are the difference between pressure groups and political parties?

A

Pressure groups are organisations that intend to influence the decision making process and policies whilst political parties aim to be the ones making the policy and being in power

56
Q

What is the grey area when it comes to political parties and pressure groups?

A

Single issue parties such as UKIP, the SNP and The Green Party blur the line with them wanting change which can be applied to the government (eg the Brexit vote and UKIP) but do also have a political power

57
Q

What are the purpose of pressure groups?

A

To influence decisions by targeting
• Westminster - lobby pressure and the HOC/L but also on specific issues (ie pushing for amendments to a law)
• Ministers and civil servants - lobbied or pressure to seed support
• Devolved or local government
• Laws courts
• The media

58
Q

What two ways can pressure groups be defined?

A

Sectional, causal or dual function
Insider or outsider

They can also be defined as new social movements

59
Q

Give the definition of a sectional pressure group

A

Have a functional representation role and align to a specific part of society (eg the NUT is for teachers, National Farmers Union is for farmers)

60
Q

Give the definition of a causal pressure group

A

They represent a specific section of society but usually an idea or issue in general (e.g Greenpeace is an environment protection pressure group)

61
Q

Define a dual function pressure group

A

It is both a sectional and functional group (eg Momentum - within the Labour Party)

62
Q

Give information about how insider pressure groups
• Operate
• Have power
• Are at a disadvantage to outsider pressure groups

A
  • Operate within the walls of power, closely with government and have greater influence
  • Consulted by select committees, some are formed by government to scrutinise laws (quangoes)
  • May lose support due to being seen to be too close to government/not sticking to roots
63
Q

Give information about how outsider pressure groups
• Operate
• Have power
• Are at a disadvantage to insider pressure groups

A
  • Operate through gaining public opinion and are outside decision making process either trough choice or not being invited
  • Low influence but if they have high public support this increases
  • Easily divide opinion, seen as less respectable than insider pressure groups
64
Q

What are New social movements?

A
  • Informal protest forums that maybe have the intention to influence policy but act as tension release
  • Gives people a voice and place for anger to prevent people committing crimes
65
Q

What are the 6 characteristics of a new social movement

A
  • Rapid appearance
  • Mass movement of people
  • Loose Organisation
  • Connected trough social media
  • Single issue
  • Often demonstrates civil disobedience
66
Q

What contribute to a successful pressure group?

A
  • Philosophy
  • Status
  • Past success
  • Media leverage
  • Opposition pressure groups
  • Finance
  • Organisation
  • How realistic their aims are
  • Support and membership (size)
67
Q

How can philosophy contribute to the success of a pressure group?

A

If their philosophy and that of the government align they are more likely yo be listened to/have influence

68
Q

How does status contribute to the success of a pressure group?

A

Insiders have more influence on policy than outsiders but outsiders are seen to be staying closer to their roots

69
Q

Why does a pressure groups past successes help their success?

A

Shows that they have been able to work successfully before and are more likely to be trusted by the public and listened to by those in power

70
Q

How can media leverage contributed to a pressure group’s success?

A
  • Makes them more present in the public eye and able to gain support
  • Celebrity endorsement can grow the movement quickly
71
Q

Why do opposing pressure groups influence a pressure groups success?

A

If an opposing pressure group have more funding/better organisation and influence they will be listened to more e.g the NRA in the USA is more powerful that anti gun movements

72
Q

How does finance affect a pressure groups success?

A

The more money the group has the greater influence and infrastructure it can have

73
Q

Why is organisation important in a pressure group’s success?

A

When the groups is more organised they are taken more seriously as they can organise large scale events/protests

74
Q

Why do a pressure groups aims influence their success?

A

If their aims are unrealistic they are not taken seriously/can’t become insiders or listened too

75
Q

How does the pressure group’s support and memberships influence its success?

A
  • Larger support and membership means more attention is paid to the group as MPs want to maintain support of large bodies of electorate
  • Paid membership can help to generate revenue for the group
76
Q

What are the advantages of a representative democracy?

A
  • Practical in a large state
  • Creation of parties means thats police can be passed quickly
  • Pressure groups encourage a pluralist democracy
  • Reduces chance of the tyranny of the majority
  • Elections allow representatives to be held directly to account
  • Politicians are better informed than the average individual
77
Q

What are the disadvantages of a representative democracy?

A
  • Reduced participation as people hand power to government
  • Parties and pressure groups pursue own agendas/formed around ideologies over representing people
  • The tyranny of the majority still emerges
  • Politicians are able to avoid accountability with elections so far apart
  • Pelicans can be unsuited, corrupt or incompetent as well as career driven

Politics A Level - UK Politics (5 decks)

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