Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

UK Politics > Democracy and Political Participation > Flashcards

Democracy and Political Participation Flashcards

1
Q

what is direct democracy

A

all individuals express their opinions themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is representative democracy

A

an individual selects a person and/or a political party to act on their behalf to exercise political choice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

forms of representation in the UK

6 forms

A
  1. social representation (representative of the country as a whole e.g. 50% women)
  2. representing the national interest
  3. constituency representation
  4. party representation
  5. occupational or social grouping representation
  6. casual representation (mostly by pressure groups and its the representation of causes and ideas)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

advantages of direct democracy

3 advantages

A
  • purest form as voices are directly herd
  • avoids delay and deadlock in the political system
  • gives great legimacy to the decision
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

disadvantages of direct democracy

3 disadvantages

A
  • can lead to ‘tyranny of the majority’ can ignore the minority and impose policies on them
  • people could be too easily swayed by short-term emotional appeals by charismatic individuals
  • some issues may be too complex for the ordinary individual to understand
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

advantages of representative democracy

4 advantages

A
  • representatives can develop expertise to deal with matters the public does not have time or knowledge to deal with
  • representatives can be held to account for their actions at election time
  • representatives have the time to deal with a variety of complex matters, leaving the public free to get on with their own lives
  • in a large modern country, it is the only practical way to translate public opinion into political action
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

disadvantages of representative democracy

4 disadvantages

A
  • representatives may not vote in a way that represents the wishes of the constituents
  • it can be difficult to hold a representative to account between elections
  • allowing voters to delegate responsibility to representatives can lead to the public disengaging from social issues and other responsibilities
  • representative bodies can be unrepresentative and may ignore the concerns and needs of minorities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

key features of liberal democracy

9 features

A
  • peaceful transition of power
  • fair elections
  • free elections
  • widespread participation in politics
  • freedom of expression and information
  • freedom of association
  • protection of rights and liberties
  • the rule of law
    independent judiciary
  • constitution
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

examples of the UK’s democratic deficit

7 examples

A
  • FPTP creates disproportionate results, discriminates against smaller parties and means governments can win a majority with a relatively small share of the votes
  • house of lords is an influential unelected body
  • sovereignty of parliament gives them unlimited power
  • powers of the PM are partly based on the powers of an unelected monarch
  • the west Lothian question
  • powerful vested interests fund political parties
  • voter turnout in general elections vary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

6 forms of political participation

A
  • voting
  • standing for public office
  • active party membership
  • active pressure group membership
  • passive party or group membership
  • digital activists
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

franchise/suffrage

A

the ability/right to vote in public elections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

pressure groups

A

a membership based association whose aims is to influence policy making without seeking power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

functions of a pressure group

7 functions

A
  • to represent and promote the interests of certain sections of the community who feel they are not fully represented by parties and Parliament
  • protect the interests of minority groups
  • promote certain causes which have not been adequately taken up by political parties
  • inform and educate the public about political issues
  • call the government to account over its performance in particular areas of policy
  • pass key information to the government to inform and influence policy
  • give opportunities to citizens to participate in politics other than through party membership or voting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

sectional pressure groups

A

members of a particular group are represented and the group may have limited goals that are potentially highly technical

e.g. BMA, national miners union

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

causal pressure groups

A

potentially represent anyone/everyone and represent more controversial and divisive issues

e.g. Greenpeace, extinction rebellion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

insider pressure groups

A

have access to key decision-makers but must ‘play by the rules of the game’, core or peripheral insider

16
Q

outsider pressure group

A

no direct access to key decision-makers but no ‘rules’ either. may be outsiders by necessity or choice

17
Q

main ways in which insider pressure groups operate

4 ways

A
  • they seek to become involved inthe early stages of policy and law making. this means that they are often consulted by decision-makers and sometimes can offer expert advice and information
  • some such groups employ professional lobbyists whose job it is to gain access to decision-makers and make high quality presentations for their case
  • governments at different levels use special committees to make decisions about policy and some groups find themselves represented on such bodies
  • sectional groups may also be called to testify before parliamentary committees, both select and legislative
18
Q

typical characteristics of outsider pressure groups

4 characteristics

A
  • they are usually, but not always, causal groups. have less certain legitimacy than sectional groups so are less likely to be involved in policy making
  • their typical methods include public campaigning, in recent times often using new media to reach large parts of the population very quickly.
  • they seek to influence not through direct lobbying or ministerial contacts but by demonstrating to government that public opinion is on their side
  • outsiders do not need to follow standards that the government will find acceptable, so have a greater freedom in choice of methods they use and are more likely than insider groups to use measures like civil disobedience, mass strikes and publicity stunts
19
Q

think tanks

A

a body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain topic(s), to investigate and offer solutions to often complicated and seemingly intractable economic, social or political issues

20
Q

main role of think tanks

A

to carry out research and develop policy ideas that can be adopted by political parties and governments

21
Q

benefits of think tanks

3 benefits

A
  • carry out the work of policy research so policies can be considered and developed away from public scrutiny
  • they can be tested before a party might adopt them as official policy
  • saves the party time and resources as the role is delegated
22
Q

disadvantage of think tanks

A
  • many founded with a clear aim or objective in mind so may produce research to support a particular point of view that may not be in the public interest
23
Q

lobbying

A

when an individual or group tries to persuade someone in parliament to support a particular policy or campaign

24
Q

lobbyists

A

distinct organisations or individuals that sell expert knowledge of the political process to those who can afford to hire them. usually employ people with close relationships to the government and create strategies for their clients to access the political process

25
Q

participation crisis

A

a situation where a large proportion of the population do not engage in the political process

26
Q

factors affecting pressure group success

4 factors

A
  • insider or outsider
  • size of membership
  • tactics and leadership
  • public support
27
Q

democratic deficit

A

a flaw in the democratic processes where decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy, due to not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input or being subject to accountability

28
Q

legitimacy

A

the rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely held agreements such as government’s right to rule following an election

29
Q

pluralist democracy

A

a type of democracy in which a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations

UK Politics (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions