democracy and participation pt1

Question 1

key features of democracy

Answer 1

• the people have influence over decisions
• govs are accountable to the people
• govs operate within the rule of law
• elections regularly - free and fair
• elections convey legitimacy
• people free to form political parties
• transition of power from one gov to next - peaceful
• rights and freedoms respected by the gov
• power should rest in many places not just one

Question 2

what is direct democracy

Answer 2

• political system when people make key decisions themselves
• only time its been a whole system direct democracy - classical Greece
• modern form = referendums (an example of a form of direct democracy)

Question 3

what is representative democracy definition

Answer 3

a political system when citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf and are accountable to them

Question 4

key characteristics of representative democracy

Answer 4

• people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
• regular elections
• gov elected to make key proposals and implement them
• gov and elected reps are accountable for people
• parties campaign to represent the people in gov
• pressure groups operate - representing different views in society

Question 5

3 advantages of direct democracy with examples

Answer 5

1. everyone gets a say in the decision –> 2016 EU ref had 33+ mill voters - one of greatest democratic exercises in British history
2. gives equal weight to all votes –> 2016 EU ref, 52% opted to leave: all votes are counted and side with most votes wins
3. encourages participation –> The 2014 Scottish Independence ref had 85% turnout but the 2019 GE had 67%: ref turnout exceeds turnout of GE

Question 6

4 disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 6

1. decisions by the ppl in refs might be diff to what the representatives believe (MPs) causing political instability –> UK political stability was highly compromised by Brexit ref like 2 PMs resigning, Cameron & May
2. impractical for large populations - only time actually used was classical Greece - population of 300k but only 70k voted. wouldnt work with 69 million in UK rn: emergency decisions would take too long
3. lead to ‘tyranny of majority’ –> majority of voters in ENGLAND voted remain (53%) but only 38% of SCOTLAND voted to leave. therefoe this divides communties
4. people can make uneducated decisions - a week before EU ref - Electoral Reform Society sound only 31% of public felt ‘well’ or ‘very well’ informed

Question 7

5 advantages of representative democracy

Answer 7

1. accountability: the rep can be voted out –> 2023, SNP MP Margaret Ferrier removed from office by a recall petition after breaching COVID rules
2. reps can become experts –> Yvette Cooper MP chair of Home Affairs Select Committee (immigration, crime, civil rights): now she can make better informed decisions on these areas
3. more practical for complex issues –> COVID19 needed MPs to weigh up difficulties faced by small businesses during lockdown alongside scientific info to minimise contact: reps have more time to look into these details - better decisions made than pubic
4. gives voices to minorities –> Human Rights Act 1998, Freedom of Info Act 2000
5. trains future leaders –> BJ had high roles in the cabinets of Cameron and May before PM himself: experience and knowledge

Question 8

disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 8

1. reps follow their OWN wants - not the peoples –> 2024 GE labour abolished the Winter Fuel Payment for all but poorest pensioners - this was implemented despite public opposition and WASNT in Ls manifesto
2. PP dominated by individuals pursuing their own agendas –> 2017 May said there was no ‘magic money tree’ to justify public sector pay restraint. Yet shortly after, her government struck a £1 billion deal with the DUP (democratic unionist party) to stay in power: shows leaders prioritise political survival over views of people
3. politicians can be incompetent or corrupt –> Chris Huhne former cabinet minister was guilty of perverting the court of justice
4. FPTP means minorities or smaller parties are unrepresented anyway - 2019 GE, the Green Party got over 800,000 votes but won only 1 seat BUT while the SNP got fewer votes nationwide but won 48 seats: minority voices ignored.

Question 9

key features of pluralist democracy

Answer 9

• power and influence are widely dispersed among society and the ppl - power is no concentrated in one area
• acceptance of minorities eg culture, religion, language etc
• PP are free to operate and campaign and people can choose who they support
• pressure groups and campaign groups are free to operate
• range of sources of info, news and opinion available to ppl without interference of state

Question 10

5 features of DEMOCRACY IN THE UK with examples

Answer 10

1. PLURALISM - leaving the EU involved different institutions eg PM, parliament voted on it, judges ruled on it, ppl had a referendum - power lied in lots of dif places
2. FREE FAIR ELECTIONS - all 18+ ppl can vote - not race, gender, disability discrimination eg in 2024 GE the Electoral Commission ensured all rules were followed
3. CORRUPTION PUNISHED - 2019 MP Chis Davies was recalled for faking expenses to claim £700
4. RIGHTS PROTECTED - HRA 1998 - allows ppl to use UK courts to protect their rights under the ECHR(European Convention of human rights)
5. DEVOLVED DECISION MAKING - devolution has resulted in transfer of power from central gov to regional and local bodies like Scottish and Welsh parliaments

Question 11

5 features of UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICES IN THE UK (opposing the 5 that were democratic)

Answer 11

1. PLURALISM - lobbying from think tanks - like IEA accused of using £ to gain influence over ministers - power is concentrated with the few rich
2. FREE FAIR ELECTIONS - kids + prisoners cant vote in GE, FPTP 2019 GE Green Party got 800k+ votes but 1 seat BUT SNP got less votes but won 48 seats. - minorities still can be ignored
3. CORRUPTION PUNISHED - BJ fined for breaking COVID rules in ‘partygate’ scandal but stayed in office for months with no immediate serious consequences - high power can avoid proper punishments
4. RIGHTS PROTECTED - HRA is not entrenched - could be scrapped with an act of parliament
5. DEVOLVED DECISION MAKING - devolution still limited with 85% of local council budgets in England still come from central gov - therefore they rely heavily on Westminister limiting their independence