Democracy and Participation

Question 1

Name the two main democratic systems

Answer 1

direct democracy

representative democracy

Question 2

Name features of direct democracy

Answer 2

individuals express own opinion
not elective
Citizens are more active in decision making

Question 3

Name features of representative democracy

Answer 3

Elections for representatives are free and fair
Citizens pass their authority to their representatives
Citizens elect representatives on their behalf
All adult citizens have the right to vote for representatives

Question 4

Advantages of direct democracy

Answer 4

Equal weight of votes
Encourages popular participation
Develops a sense of community

Question 5

Disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 5

Impractical for largely populated states and complicated decisions
Many people don’t want to or feel qualified to make decisions
Open to manipulation, as people can be easily persuaded
Will of majority is not mediated by parliamentary institutions, and so minority view disregarded

Question 6

Advantages of representative democracy

Answer 6

Practical in large states, complex issues and rapid responses are needed (eg deploying troops)
Parties give coherence and a real choice of representatives for the people
Pressure groups encourage pluralist democracy
Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by tyranny of the majority
Politicians are better informed

Question 7

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 7

May lead to reduced participation
Parties and pressure groups may push their own agenda rather than represent
Minorities can find themselves underrepresented
Politicians can avoid accountability (especially as elections are often every 5 years)
Politicians may be corrupt or incompetent

Question 8

Name some positive democratic features

Answer 8

Devolved governments
free media
free and fair elections
independent judiciary wide range of political parties and pressure groups

Question 9

Name some electoral reform proposals aimed to increase turnout

Answer 9

Change election day from Thursday to the weekend (as in mainland Europe)
Allow people to vote anywhere in their constituency
Allow voting over several days
E-voting
Voting age reduced

Question 10

Reasons voting should be compulsory

Answer 10

Voting is a social duty as well as a right
Produce a parliament that is more accurately representing the entire population
Politicians would have to run better quality campaigns to suit the whole electorate
Voters do not have to vote for a candidate if they conscientiously cannot do so (they can spoil the ballot paper or a none of the above box could be added)

Question 11

Reasons voting should be voluntary

Answer 11

In a preferential system, voters may just number them in rank order 1,2,3 or 3,2,1
It is undemocratic, as people should be allowed to chose to vote
Politicians would still focus campaign on marginal seats if compulsory
Compulsory votes still doesnt address the real reason people don’t want to vote

Question 12

Positives of votes at 16

Answer 12

16yos have other legal rights, why not the right to vote?
We have citizenship lessons in schools to inform on politics
It would encourage the youths political participation
Some issues mean more to/ habit greater affect on the young eg uni tuition fees
75% of young people voted (16) in the Scottish referendum

Question 13

Negatives of votes at 16

Answer 13

Young people lack maturity and experience
Would be influenced by parents
Some of a 16yos legal rights have limits eg need parental agreement for marriage
Participation was high for all ages in Scottish referendums
Hardly any countries allow voters at 16- its mainstream