Democracy and participation Flashcards
Functions of democracy
Representation Accountability Participation Power dispersal Legitimacy Education
Positive aspects of democracy in the UK
Free and fair elections Turnout Universal suffrage The party system Pressure groups Parliamentary sovereignty Devolution
Negative aspects of democracy in the UK
Unelected elements Turnout The West Lothian Question + EVEL Flaws with FPTP Lack of meaningful choice Elitist pressure groups Weaknesses of the Electoral Commission Lack of entrenched rights
Extensions of the franchise
The Great Reform Act 1832 (middle class)
The Representation of the People Act 1918 (women > 30)
The Representation of the People Act 1928 (women)
The Representation of the People Act 1969 (18/19/20)
Methods of political participation
Voting Campaigning for a party Promoting a pressure group Organising / signing a petition Going on a march Going on a strike Contacting a representative Standing for public office
Modern developments in participation
e-petitions
Blogging
Social media
Pro participation crisis in the UK
Electoral participation
Party membership
End of corporatism
Anti participation crisis in the UK
Increasing turnout
More parties
Pressure group membership
Social campaigns
Types of pressure group
Sectional - Closed, self interested, advance / protect the interests of their members
e.g. Confederation of British Industry
Causal - Open, altruistic, promote a ideal / principle
e.g. Liberty
Motivation for joining a pressure group
Representation Personal beliefs Participation Material benefits Need
Reasons for pressure group success
Insider status - Howard League for Penal Reform (2014 -books)
Wealth - British Bankers’ Association (Paid lobbyists to persuade ministers to cut corporation tax - 2012)
Large membership - RSPB (500,000 members - 2015)
Organisation - RMT - (Strikes to secure a bonus for members during the Olympics - 2012)
Expertise - AA (provided evidence and statistics to persuade government to increase penalty for using a mobile when driving -2016)
Celebrity endorsement - Joanna Lumley - Gurkha (2009)
Reasons for pressure group failure
Goal contradicts a government policy - BMA campaign against a 7-day NHS
The Government can resist the pressure - Stop the War Coalition v Iraq
Countervailing forces - Forrest v ASH (smoking)
Goal acts against popular opinion - Coalition for Marriage v gay marriage
Actions of group alienate the public - ALF / PETA
Types of democracy
Direct
Representative
Examples of direct democracy
Referenda
Initiatives
Petitions
Pro direct democracy
Pure form of democracy Increased legitimacy Improves participation Increases public engagement Improves political education It works in Switzerland
Anti direct democracy
Impractical Tyranny of the majority Undermines elected representatives Low turnouts Emotional responses Populist outcomes
Political organisations
Parties Pressure groups Think-tanks Lobbyists Corporations
Features of human rights
Absolute
Universal
Fundamental
Reasons why there have been a growing number of conflicts between government and the judiciary
Introduction of the Human Rights Act has given judges more power to challenge government ministers
Introduction of the Human Rights Act has made it easier for ordinary people to use the judicial system to challenge government measures
The increased threat of terrorism has caused governments to take actions on the basis on national security which conflict with individual rights
Perception that ministers are attempting to expand their powers at the expense of civil rights and liberties
Key ares of conflict between the judiciary and the government over rights protection
Anti-terrorism Deportation Detention Free speech Anti-social behaviour
Ways to improve democracy in the UK
Compulsory voting Reform of the voting system Reform of the House of Lords Greater recall of MPs Reform of the House of Commons Reforming the devolved system Reform of the monarchy Codifying the constitution E-democracy
Pluralist democracy
Government making decisions based on the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups
Parliamentary democracy
Government drawn from members of parliament
Government held to account by parliament
Separated head of state and head of government
Unified system
Presidential democracy
Government is elected separately from members of the legislature
Government held to account by the electorate
Possibility for divided government
Head of state the same role as head of government
Pro Human Rights Act
Clearly enshrines rights in statute law
Legislation must comply with the Human Rights Act
Anti Human Rights Act
Act not entrenched so can be replaced, as the Conservatives have proposed with a British Bill of Rights
Cannot overturn primary legislation in parliament
Can be set aside by government, e.g Following 9/11
Pro representative democracy in the UK
Everyone is represented through a constituency MP
FPTP provides a clear winner for each seat
Britain has a variety of parties that contest elections - 10 in Parliament
New groups and parties can easily be created
Wide franchise
Pressure groups
Electoral Commission
Anti representative democracy in the UK
Not all MPs have the support of the majority of their constituency
FPTP leads to wasted votes and unrepresentative outcomes in Parliament
Safe seats + only two parties in a position to form a government mean that there is a lack of real choice
Denial of the franchise to 16/17 year olds and prisoners
Low turnout
Internet allows parties to by-pass broadcasting restrictions
