Democracy And Political Participation Flashcards
Democracy
A system where power is held by the people
Direct democracy
A form of government where people make decisions for themselves, citizens are directly involved in the decision making process
Indirect democracy
Where people elect a representative on their behalf and they make decisions, able to be held accountable for their actions
Liberal democracy
Right to vote is widespread and representatives act in the interest of everyone
Representative democracy
Any system where the people transfer the power to make decisions to an elected representative
Majoritarian democracy
A system whereby the will or desires of the majority of the population are the prime considerations
Parliamentary democracy
A system where parliament stands as the highest form of authority
Presidential democracy
A system where the executive will be elected separately from the legislative body and chosen directly by the people
How effective is democracy in the UK?
Positives
-Free and fair elections
-Increased turnout
-Universal suffrage
-The party system
-Pressure groups
-Parliamentary sovereignty
-Devolution
How effective is democracy in the UK?
Negatives
-Unelected elements
-Low turnout
-West Lothian Question, EVEL
-Voting system
-Lack of meaningful choice
-Elitist pressure groups
-Weakness of the Electoral Commission
-Lack of entrenched rights
1832 Reform Act
-1/5 men with homes had a lease of £10 or more got the vote
-Seats must be created for MPs in new industrial towns
-Seats for MPs from rotten boroughs had to be removed
-Only 5.6% of the population more could vote
-Working class could still not vote
Representation of the People Act 1918
-Gave women from all backgrounds more opportunity to earn money and pay taxes
-Changes to marriage laws = women could divorce their husbands
Representation of the People Act 1928
-Equal pay for equal work
-Benefits to provide for widows with children
-Equality in the franchise
-Equal recognition of mothers as guardians
-Equal access to the legal profession
Representation of the People Act 1969
-Anyone over the age of 18 could vote regardless of race, gender, wealth
Did violent methods help women get the vote?
Yes
-Media reported/raised public awareness
-Police brutality created sympathy
-Regular attacks kept the issue relevant
Did violent methods help women get the vote?
No
-‘Proved’ women were not responsible to vote
-Turned man moderate men and women away
-Government could not be seen giving in to ‘terrorists’
Prisoners and the right to vote
For
-Removes a sense of civic responsibility
-Right to vote is fundamental
-Harder to rehabilitate if removed
Prisoners and the right to vote
Against
-Losing the voter deters crime and enhances civic responsibility
-Undermines the principle of justice if given the right to vote
-Those who commit crimes should lose the right to have a say in society
Is there a participation crisis in the UK?
Yes
-Electoral participation: fewer people are turning out to vote
Party membership: less than 1% are a member of a political party
-The end of corporatism: Thatcher disrupted group activity to favour individual wakening of trade unions, people are unwilling to fight for collective interests
-Political apathy: marked among 18 to 24 year olds who are less likely to vote
-Many modern political participation methods amount to ‘slacktivism’ and not true activism
Is there a participation crisis in the UK?
No
-Increasing turnout
-More political parties
-Increase in pressure group membership
-Social media makes it easier and cheaper to get involved
-Social movements and less structures campaign groups focusing on direct action can attract strong support and commitment, especially from young voters
Sectional pressure groups
-Protects the interests of its members
-Look after their own section of society
-British Medical Association, trade unions
-Usually have the same or similar occupations
-Act in the best interests of their embers, usually to pressure those in power to get the best deal possible
-Closed membership
Casual groups
-Promote values and/or principles
-Campaign for a particular cause often one that does not directly affects its members
-Came from a wide variety of backgrounds
-Oxfam, Rspca
Pressure group methods
-Lobbying: meet with politicians and civil servants to argue their case and try to persuade them to adopt their ideas
-Civil disobedience: may use illegal methods as a form of civil disobedience by disrupting public events or staging a sit in to cause disruption and bring attention to their case
-Organise publicity demonstrations: may organise large demonstrations such as marches and rallies to demonstrate to those in power the strengths and support for their case, likely to gain publicity and spread awareness
-Think Tanks: formed with specific purpose of formulating and developing policy ideas, align themselves with the party at the time.
Pressure group successes
-‘Justice for Gurkhas’ campaign. After 4 years in 2009, all Gurkhas who had fought for Britain given settlement rights (celeb endorsement)
-2014, Howard League for Penal Reform campaigned to end ban on prisoners receiving books sent to them (insider status)
-2012, British Bankers Association paid lobbyists to persuade ministers to cut corporate tax (wealth)
Pressure group failures
-Conservative government determined to introduce new policies for a 7 day NHS, BMA campaign against failed (goal contradicts government policy)
-Stop the War Coalition organised mass rallies to stop invasion of Iraq in 2003 which the Blair government was unable to resist pressure and ignore (government can resist pressure groups)
-Forrest/pro smoking groups failed to prevent smoking ban, lost to ASH (countervailing forces)
Does the Human Rights Act protect rights and liberties in the UK?
Yes
-Rights are now clearly enshrined in statute law
-Legislation must comply with the HRA
-Citizens can access rights protection through UK based courts
-2004 = a law that prevented a gay partner from inheriting a council flat was struck down as discrimination under the HRA
-Positive rights are clearly given to a citizen, usually in the form of a constitutional protection
Does the Human Rights Act protect rights and liberties in the UK?
No
-The act is not entrenched and therefore it can be replaced as the tory party have pledged to do with the British Bill of Rights
-The act can be ‘set aside’ by government as happened with the derogation of the rights or terror suspects after 9/11
-The act cannot overturn primary legislation parliament
-Negative rights are not explicitly set out and only exist because of an absence of any laws banning them
Strengths of the judiciary defending the rights of citizens
-Exercise the rule of law and use the Human Rights Act and ensure rights are fully respected
-Can defend rights on law without political pressure as it is independent
-Judges are neutral and can protect rights without discrimination
Weaknesses of the judiciary defending the rights of citizens
-Judges are undemocratic so many abuse the position
-Senior judges work with parliament to advise
-Lack of a codified constitution means judiciary cannot strike down primary legislation
-Powerless to stop abuse over the Human Rights Act
Strengths of parliament defending the rights of citizens
-Holds sovereignty
-More representative of the people and reflect values
-Passed all acts relating to human rights
-MPs represent constituents and can raise rights issues
-Democratically elected so is accountable
Weaknesses of parliament defending the rights of citizens
-Short term considerations may be more important
-Has ability to suspend the Human Rights Act
-Dominated by governing party leading to tyranny of majority
-House of Lords undermines democratic arguments
-MPs reluctant to champion Human Rights Act cases if benefits unpopular elements
