Democracy and Political Participation Flashcards
What is legitimacy?
Widely recognised authority, the right to exercise power.
3 ways consent can be conferred?
1) Free elections
2) Good turnouts in elections
3) Distinct law of popular dissent
What is citizenship?
> The enjoyment of civil liberties
> Right to carry out duties or obligations e.g. politically active
What is democracy?
Any system of government when the people have access to independent information and are able to influence government decisions, accountable to the people.
3 features of modern democracy
1) Peaceful transition of power
2) Free and fair elections
3) People have access to independent information
3 features of direct democracy
1) People themselves make decisions
2) People are directly consulted on decisions
3) People may take initiative in creating change
3 features of representative democracy
1) People elect representatives
2) People delegate power to representatives
3) There are political parties that represent different views
3 ways representation works in the UK
1) Operate through MPs - constituent link
2) Parties represent particular sections and views of society
3) Through pressure groups
3 features of pluralist democracy
1) Multiple parties and associations are allowed to operate
2) Different political beliefs are permitted and allowed to flourish
3) Many sources of independent information
3 features of liberal democracy
1) Individuals are well-respected
2) Strong constituents limit government power
3) High political toleration
3 pros of representative democracy
1) Most don’t have time for political engagement so representatives work on their behalf
2) Representatives may have more knowledge
3) Representatives are accountable
3 pros of direct democracy and referendums
1) Important decisions can be strengthened with people’s consent
2) Referendums can educate the public
3) Allows for direct participation
3 cons of representative democracy
1) May be difficult to make representatives accountable in-between elections
2) Representatives may ignore constituents for personal gain
3) May lead to conflict only amendable through direct democracy
3 cons of direct democracy and referendums
1) Issues may be too complex for the public
2) People may vote emotionally
3) Low turnout could derive from voter fatigue
3 examples of the use of referendums
1) AV vote in 2011 - vote NO
2) Brexit vote in 2016 - vote YES
3) Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement - vote YES
3 ways democracy can be enhanced
1) Voting in local elections
2) Referendum votes
3) Taking part in political consultation exercises
3 examples of decline in political participation
1) Declining turnout
2) Falling party membership since the 1980s
3) Activism in political parties is decreasing
3 arguments for compulsory voting
1) Turnout increased
2) Forces political thought
3) Results have more legitimacy
3 arguments against compulsory voting
1) Abuses political freedoms
2) Results may be seen as unofficial
3) Costly
3 arguments for votes at 16
1) Makes the young politically aware
2) Improves political identification
3) Makes political education relevant
3 arguments against votes at 16
1) 16 may be too young
2) Many may not vote
3) There may be a distortion of party policies to attract the young
3 arguments for e-democracy
1) Greater access to political participation
2) Promotes more direct democracy
3) May increase turnout
3 arguments against e-democracy
1) Vulnerable
2) False information may easily circulate
3) Excludes the technologically impaired
3 examples of increasing political participation
1) Pressure groups are growing
2) Increased campaigning through social media
3) Growth in direct action
3 positives of democracy in the UK
1) Regular elections
2) Free media and independent information
3) Various freedoms, e.g. to vote, stand for office etc.
3 negatives of democracy in the UK
1) Unelected institutions persist
2) FPTP makes elections unfair
3) PM has unmatched power
3 arguments for replacing monarch with elected head of state
1) Elected head of state has democratic legitimacy
2) Elected head of state is accountable
3) Elected head of state could settle political deadlock
3 arguments against replacing monarch with elected head of state
1) May destabilise politics
2) Too much power to the majority party
3) UK loses important piece of history
2 arguments for elected second chamber
1) Increase legitimacy
2) Effective check on government
2 arguments against elected second chamber
1) Less independent
2) Might check government excessively
3 arguments for reforming electoral system
1) Alternate systems would be fairer, less wasted votes
2) Commons may be politically representative
3) Increase democratic legitimacy
3 arguments against reforming electoral system
1) Proportional Representation would remove constituency link
2) Unpredictable consequences
3) Voters may find it difficult to adapt
3 arguments for increased use of referendums
1) Increase political awareness
2) Purer democracy
3) Increase participation
3 arguments against increased use of referendums
1) May result in voter fatigue
2) May find electoral issues harder to understand
3) Tyranny of the majority, minorities ignored
3 arguments for introducing a codified constitution
1) Stop excessive power drift to the PM
2) Make citizens aware of the political system
3) Rights and freedoms are better protected
3 arguments against introducing a codified constitution
1) Loss of flexibility
2) Destroy political traditions and so reduce public attachment
3) Too much power on unelected judges
3 arguments for decentralisation of government
1) Small scale = more democratic
2) Government closer to the people
3) Strengthens local committees
3 arguments against decentralisation of government
1) Variable state provision
2) Local government may be taken less seriously
3) Tensions between local and regional governments may increase
