democracy and participation p1-5

Question 1

abraham lincolns definition of democracy

Answer 1

‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’
- must be ordinary
- have a say in choosing who it is
- have the interests of the people at heart

Question 2

definition of representative democracy

Answer 2

people elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf

Question 3

advantages of representative democracy

Answer 3

• professionals make complex decisions
• minority views are considered
• the politicians are elected and therefore held accountable by the people

Question 4

disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 4

• citizens are disengaged from politics
• politicians may be open to corruption and self interest

Question 5

key features of representative democracy

Answer 5

• elections should be regular with universal adult suffrage
• civil liberties must be protected constitutional checks to prevent concentration of government power
• an independent judiciary should exist

Question 6

definition of direct democracy

Answer 6

a form of democracy that is based upon the direct, immediate and continuous participation of citizens in tasks of the government. there is no distinction between the people and the government
- direct - the make decisions themselves
- immediate - people are the government
- continuous - regular decisions every day

Question 7

advantages to direct democracy

Answer 7

• everyone participates
• ppl make decisions directly themselves
• all votes are equal
• purest form of democracy

Question 8

disadvantages to direct democracy

Answer 8

• impractical - everyone has to be involved in decision making everyday
• people will vote in their own interests - not societies
• no minority voices can be heard

Question 9

participation crisis in the UK evidence

Answer 9

• turnout in general elections since 1979 (76%—>2024 =60%
• party membership has fallen since 1980s - fewer party activists so less people recruited
• less young people voting than old
• public have less trust in politicians eg - boris not following covid rules

Question 10

3 ways to enhance democracy in the uk

Answer 10

• compulsory voting
• lower the voting age
• edemocracy

Question 11

compulsory voting pros and cons - enhancing UK democracy

Answer 11

pros
- greater legitimacy
- better knowledge of society
cons
- people wont vote seriously
- wasted votes
- violation of freedom

Question 12

lowering the voting age pros and cons - enhancing UK democracy

Answer 12

pros
- voting at 16 would match other aspects of what you can do at this age eg have sex/get a provisional license
- allows people to engage from a younger age so they are more educated and involved when they are older
cons
- 16 is too young - dont know enough to make a serious educated vote so they either dont vote or their vote is wasted bc they dont rly care

Question 13

democracy pros and cons - enhancing UK democracy

Answer 13

use of the internet to enhance engagement in democratic proscesses
pros
- simple and easy - express views without leaving home
- new technology means more access to info - more educated views
cons
- hacking would undermine legitimacy
- people may undermine the importance of their vote if its so easy just to press a button - wasted