Democracy and participation- Paper 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Direct democracy

A

Individuals express their opinions themselves

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2
Q

Direct democracy pros and cons

A

PROS:
-purest form of democracy
-can avoid delay
-vert legitimate

CONS:
-tyranny of the majority
-difficult in large societys
-some issues too complex

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3
Q

representative democracy

A

people select a person or party to make a political decision on their behalf

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4
Q

Representative democracies pros and cons

A

PROS:
-only practical way in large societies
-representatives can develop expertise
-leaves public free to get on with their lives

CONS:
-can be difficult to hold representatives to account
- lead to public disengagement
-representatives may not act in the best interest of the people

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5
Q

forms of representation in the UK

A

-parties
-constituencies
-pressure groups

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6
Q

The UK IS democratic

A

-nearly everyone over 18 can vote
-ECHR and Judiciary
-free media and internet access

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7
Q

The UK ISNT democratic

A

-FPTP isn’t proportionate
-parliament is sovereign
-a lot of the press in in the hands of a few people

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8
Q

Potential reform in the UK

A

REPLACE HOLS WITH AN ELECTED CHAMBER:
- more legitimate
x may cause rivalry with the HOCs

REPLACE FPTP:
- proportionate
x coalition more likely

STATE PARTY FUNDING:
- allows politicians to focus on their jobs
x how to distribute funding?

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9
Q

Forms of participation

A

PARTY MEMBERSHIP:
-1950s over 3 million
-in decline since

VOTING:
-local, general, referendums

DIGITAL:
-e-petitions

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10
Q

Brexit referendum

A

-2016
-leave= 52/
-remain= 48/
-turnout=72/

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11
Q

E-petition eg’s

A

2016 2ND BREXIT REFERENDUM:
-3.6 mill signatures
-debate held
-unsuccessful

2020 MORE SUPPORT TO THE ARTS:
-200,000 signatures
-gov increased funding

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12
Q

Compulsory voting

A

-Australia
-Turn out always above 90/

FOR:
-people forced to inform themselves
-more of society involved
-increased legitimacy

AGAINST:
x ill informed votes
x spoiled ballots
x favours larger parties

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13
Q

Suffrage

A

the ability/ right to vote

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14
Q

Suffragist’s

A

-open to all
-Fawcett
-internally democratic
-peaceful methods eg meetings, petitions
-1897
-3000

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15
Q

Suffragettes

A

-women only
-run by Pankhurst and daughters
-not democratic
-violent methods
-1903
-over 100,000

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16
Q

Votes at 16 pros and cons

A

PROS:
- young people are better informed than ever
-old enough to serve in the army
-youth radicalism may balance the grey vote

CONS:
x too young to make rational judgments
x complex issues
x don’t pay tax so lower stake in society

17
Q

Functions of pressure groups

A

-represent minorities
-to educate the public
-to influence the gov

18
Q

pressure group methods

A

LOBBYING:
-using contacts inside of the gov

PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS:
-protests/ petitions to gain gov attention

ILLEGAL METHODS:
for publicity

19
Q

causal groups

A

-promote a particular cause
-altruistic
-often use direct action
-Greenpeace

20
Q

Sectional Groups

A

-work in self interest
-seek links with decision makers
-formal membership
-RMT

21
Q

Insider/ outsider groups

A

have gov links/ don’t

22
Q

Factors affecting success of pressure groups

A

MEMBERSHIP SIZE:
-the bigger, the more funding and pressure on gov

FINANCE:
-wealth groups can afford expensive campaigns

PUBLIC MOOD:
-politicians more likely to support a popular cause

23
Q

ASH

A

-founded in the 1960s
-educate on the harms of smoking
METHODS:
-lobbying, research
SUCCESSES:
-restrictions on tobacco advertisement, persuaded gov to increase tax
FAILURES:
-E-cigarettes

24
Q

Do Pressure groups enhance or threaten democracy?

A

ENHANCE:
- help disperse power
- protect minorities
-encourage participation

THREATEN:
x elitist
x may distort info
x rich pressure groups have disproportionate influence

25
Q

RMT

A

-1990
-better pay and conditions for rail workers
METHODS:
-lobbying, strikes
SUCCESSES:
-2012 Olympics bonus, improved safety on oil platforms
FAILURES:
-less success out of London, many ticket offices shut

26
Q

Think Tanks

A

-Expert brought together to focus on certain topics, helps parties

27
Q

Left wing think tank

A

THE FABIAN SOCIETY:
-associated with socialist policies and has historically influenced the labour party

28
Q

Right wing think tank

A

IEA:
-free market group
-close with the Tories
-are critical of tobacco restrictions while receiving funding from tobacco companies implying there is corrution

29
Q

Lobbyist

A
  • paid by client to influence the gov
    benefit those with money at the expense of public
    -EG tobacco companies lobbying to limit restrictions, prioritising profits over health
30
Q

Participation statistic

A

General Election turnout:
1997:76/
2001:60/