Democracy and participation- Paper 1 Flashcards
Direct democracy
Individuals express their opinions themselves
Direct democracy pros and cons
PROS:
-purest form of democracy
-can avoid delay
-vert legitimate
CONS:
-tyranny of the majority
-difficult in large societys
-some issues too complex
representative democracy
people select a person or party to make a political decision on their behalf
Representative democracies pros and cons
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
forms of representation in the UK
-parties
-constituencies
-pressure groups
The UK IS democratic
-nearly everyone over 18 can vote
-ECHR and Judiciary
-free media and internet access
The UK ISNT democratic
-FPTP isn’t proportionate
-parliament is sovereign
-a lot of the press in in the hands of a few people
Potential reform in the UK
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?
Forms of participation
PARTY MEMBERSHIP:
-1950s over 3 million
-in decline since
VOTING:
-local, general, referendums
DIGITAL:
-e-petitions
Brexit referendum
-2016
-leave= 52/
-remain= 48/
-turnout=72/
E-petition eg’s
2016 2ND BREXIT REFERENDUM:
-3.6 mill signatures
-debate held
-unsuccessful
2020 MORE SUPPORT TO THE ARTS:
-200,000 signatures
-gov increased funding
Compulsory voting
-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
Suffrage
the ability/ right to vote
Suffragist’s
-open to all
-Fawcett
-internally democratic
-peaceful methods eg meetings, petitions
-1897
-3000
Suffragettes
-women only
-run by Pankhurst and daughters
-not democratic
-violent methods
-1903
-over 100,000
Votes at 16 pros and cons
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
Functions of pressure groups
-represent minorities
-to educate the public
-to influence the gov
pressure group methods
LOBBYING:
-using contacts inside of the gov
PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS:
-protests/ petitions to gain gov attention
ILLEGAL METHODS:
for publicity
causal groups
-promote a particular cause
-altruistic
-often use direct action
-Greenpeace
Sectional Groups
-work in self interest
-seek links with decision makers
-formal membership
-RMT
Insider/ outsider groups
have gov links/ don’t
Factors affecting success of pressure groups
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
ASH
-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
Do Pressure groups enhance or threaten democracy?
ENHANCE:
- help disperse power
- protect minorities
-encourage participation
THREATEN:
x elitist
x may distort info
x rich pressure groups have disproportionate influence
RMT
-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
Think Tanks
-Expert brought together to focus on certain topics, helps parties
Left wing think tank
THE FABIAN SOCIETY:
-associated with socialist policies and has historically influenced the labour party
Right wing think tank
IEA:
-free market group
-close with the Tories
-are critical of tobacco restrictions while receiving funding from tobacco companies implying there is corrution
Lobbyist
- 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
Participation statistic
General Election turnout:
1997:76/
2001:60/
