Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Politics A Level > Democracy And Participation > Flashcards

Democracy And Participation Flashcards

1
Q

What is democracy?

A

Rule by the people

“Principle that all people and bodies including government must follow the law and can be held to account if they do not”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Key features of democracy?

A 
Political equality
Political participation
Free, fair and regular elections 
Accountable government 
Pluralism
Rule of law
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is constitutional government?

A

Divided government system to limit power of government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is bicameralism ?

A

Two Houses of Parliament with different compositions to hold executive to account

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Difference between power and authority?

A

Power is ability to make others do what one wants them to do

Authority is the right to exercise power

(If no authority then it’s just force)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

3 authorities identified by Weber?

A

Traditional - queen

Legal rational - formal via election - PM

Charismatic- sheer personality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does legitimate mean?

A

Most people accept governmental authority to make rules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Direct democracy definition?

A

People themselves make decisions that affect them

E.g Athenian democracy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Representative democracy definition

A

People vote to choose representatives who will represent their views

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Advantages of direct democracy?

A

Genuine opinions

More socially aware public

Encourages participation

Removes power from ruling minority

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Disadvantages of direct democracy?

A

Difficult/expensive

Public not guaranteed to be aware

Tyranny of the majority

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Advantages of representative democracy?

A

More practical

Reps have greater expertise

Can implement unpopular but necessary policies

Avoids tyranny of majority

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Disadvantages of representative democracy?

A

Reps may not represent exact views of the public

Public less involved

Hard for small parties to win

May vote the party line

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is sovereignty ?

A

Ultimate political power and source of all political authority

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Examples of referendum

A

2002 Swiss vote on whether to join UN or not

55% yes 45% no

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Examples of direct democracy?

A

Athenian democracy, ostracisation possible, at least 6000 needed to participate

USA in New England town hall meetings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is Burkean representation?

A

MPs selected to use their own judgement to decide, may be different to constituents wishes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Evidence for low turnout

A

69% in GE 2017

Never fell below 71% from 1945 to 1997

69% low but still an increase since 2001 59%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Low turnout in wales?

A

36% in 2011 referendum about further devolution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Evidence for low membership

A

In 1980 4.1% of electorate were members of political party

In 2010 0.8%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Low digital democracy evidence?

A

6% people participate online

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Reasons for participation crisis

A

Low turnout

Low membership

Partisan dealignment

Faith in politicians falling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Evidence against participation crisis

A

Not declined just changed forms

Cause group membership rising

Smaller party membership has risen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Evidence for participation changing forms

A

Political consumerism- supporting vegan products etc to participate

Demonstrations against war in Iraq 2003 involved estimated 4% of population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Cause group membership evidence?

A

RSPB in 2016

Over a million members, 200,000 youth members

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Smaller party membership risen evidence

A

In 2014, UKIP 39,000

27
Q

Subsidiarity definition

A

Decisions should be taken at the lowest level of government possible

28
Q

Reasons for a democratic deficit

A

Lower turnouts

Lack of widespread referendums

House of Lords has undemocratic credential

Voting system disproportional

Deficit in political education

Financial backers e.g Lord ashcroft to parties have undue influence

29
Q

Reasons against democratic deficit

A

Reforms like devolution

Reformation of second chamber underway

Wide pressure group membership

30
Q

What is democratic deficit?

A

People in power lack legitimacy

31
Q

Reasons for lowering voting age to 16

A

16 year olds already have many responsibilities

They are not apathetic - they just might show their views in different ways e.g social media

Political parties have to listen to young people more

32
Q

Old/young divide statistic

A

2017

70% over seventies voted conservative

19% of 18-19 year olds

33
Q

2014 Scottish referendum 16-17 year old statistic?

A

75% of them voted

54% of 18-24

72% of 25-34

34
Q

Citizenship as a lesson statistic?

A

Only mandatory in NI and England and is minor part of curriculum

35
Q

Reasons against voting age to be lowered to 16

A

Causes democratic deficit- more people vote who don’t know what they’re voting for

We should preserve childhood- not force kids to vote

Isn’t lack of representation- just deferred. 18 year olds still in touch with 16-17 year old issues

36
Q

Two representation acts in early 20th century?

A

Representation of the people act 1918

Some women allowed to vote. Gave vote to all men

Representation of the people 1928

All women allowed to vote

37
Q

What is a pressure group

A

Organised group that does not hold candidates for an election but seeks to influence government policy and legislation

38
Q

What are sectional groups

A

Represent a particular section of society

39
Q

What are cause groups

A

Based on shared attitudes or values, advance particular ideals or principles

40
Q

Insider v outside groups?

A

Insider operate within the political system. Regularly consulted by government

Outsider has no link with government but tries to influence public opinion

41
Q

Three types of insider?

A

Core insider

Peripheral insider

Specialist insider

42
Q

3 types outsider groups

A

Potential insider

Outsider by necessity

Ideological outsiders - avoid connection as they wish to not be biased

43
Q

Methods for pressure groups?

A

Influence policy by lobbying

Provide evidence to government

Raise public awareness

Pursue legal rights of members e.g stonewall

44
Q

Examples of pressure groups

A

BMA - core insider

Greenpeace

ASH

RSPCA

Stonewall

45
Q

Who is leader of unite?

A

Len Mclusky

46
Q

What is unite?

A

British and Irish trade union

47
Q

Examples of campaigns unite has done?

A

Support Palestinian state

Organising BA strike 2017

48
Q

Membership fact of unite?

A

Larger membership than all parties put together

49
Q

Controversy surrounding unite leadership ?

A

Mcclusky continues to act as general secretary even after he stepped down officially.

50
Q

What is ASI?

A

Neoliberal think tank. “On the edge of lunacy but on the edge of policy”

51
Q

Three policy priorities?

A

Basic income

Simpler taxes

More freedom in planning permission for housing

52
Q

How are ASI very influential?

A

200/624 policies of their Omega Project have been implemented

Privatisation of British rail in 1997

Reduced top rate of tax 60% -> 40%
In 1988

53
Q

How have ASI maybe not been so successful?

A

Not much influence under Cameron

Not just one think tank consulted before policy changes

Gov committed to these sorts of policies anyway

54
Q

How do ASI undermine democracy?

A

Unelected leaders

Lack of transparency

Corruption

55
Q

Evidence for PG promoting democracy?

A

Pluralism- countervailing ASH and FOREST, lots of PG involved in EU referendum

Protects minority interest- Muslim Public Affairs Committee

Education- BMA publish reports educate people
2012 suggestion of opt out organ donating

Snowdrop forced government to ban all handguns after Dunblane massacre

56
Q

Stats for pressure groups

A

18,000 2008

To

55,000 2010

Taxpayers alliance

Countryside Alliance 100,000 members

BMA 150,000 members, maybe overrepresented?

57
Q

Pressure groups against democracy?

A

“Serpents that strangle efficient government” Douglas Hurd - national farmers union

Over represent? BMA

Mislead- Migration Watch views on net economic benefit of migration

National Trust large chequebook membership

58
Q

What did HRA 1998 do?

A

Shifted from residual freedoms to positive rights (what u can do, not what u can’t)

59
Q

What did Equality Act 2010 do?

A

Made it illegal to discriminate on SCRAGED factors

60
Q

What did Magna Carta do?

A

1215 Established right to trail by jury and for a court order to be necessary

61
Q

Example of human rights making a impact?

A

2005 Blair Gov tried to extend period a suspect could be held without charge to 90 days. Commons defeated it, said 28.

Coalition changed to 14.

61
Q

Bad effect HRA has had on judiciary system

A

160 judicial review applications 1975

Now 15,000 in 2013

62
Q

What rights are there in the UK?

A

Expression, conscience, vote, movement, treatment under law

63
Q

Max Mosley business?

A

2008 High Court awarded ex-motorsports boss £60,000 compensation for News of the world invading his right to privacy by reporting about his sex life

But in 2011 lost the ECHR bid to force newspapers to warn people before exposing their private lives

Politics A Level (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions