Democracy and Political Parties

Question 1

Meaning of democracy

Answer 1

Democracy refers to political systems in which the people are involved in decision-making in some way, either directly or indirectly.

Question 2

What is direct democracy?

Answer 2

All individuals express their opinions themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf. An example of direct democracy is a referendum.

Question 3

What is representative democracy?

Answer 3

Representative democracy a form of democracy in
which an individual selects
a person (or political party)
to act on their behalf to exercise -political choice.

Question 4

Both systems are based on what concept?

Answer 4

Majority rule

Question 5

Advantages of direct democracy

Answer 5

-Gives equal weight to all votes, unlike a representative system where the varying sizes of constituencies mean that votes do not all have equal value.
Encourages popular participation in politics by expecting people to take their duties as citizens seriously.
Removes the need for trusted representatives, as people can take responsibility for their own decisions.
Develops a sense of community and encourages genuine debate.

Question 6

Disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 6

Impractical in a large, heavily populated modern state where decision-making is complicated.
Many people will not want to or feel qualified to take part in decision-making, so political activists decide what happens.
Open to manipulation by the cleverest and most articulate speakers, who will persuade people to support their viewpoint.
Will of the majority is not mediated by parliamentary institutions, so minority viewpoints are disregarded.

Question 7

Advantages of representative democracy

Answer 7

The only practical system in a large modern state, where issues are complex and often need rapid response (e.g. deployment of troops).
Politicians form parties, bringing coherence and giving people a real choice of representative. Pressure groups form to represent different interests, promoting debate and encouraging pluralist democracy.
Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by ‘tyranny of the majority’.
Elections allow people to hold representatives to account.
Politicians are (in theory) better informed than the average citizen about the many issues on which they must take a view.

Question 8

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 8

May lead to reduced participation as people choose to hand responsibility to politicians.
Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites pursuing their own agendas, not truly representing the people.
Minorities may still find themselves underrepresented as politicians are more likely to follow the views of the majority to secure election. Politicians are skilful in avoiding accountability, especially as general elections are five years apart in the UK.
Politicians may be corrupt and incompetent, may betray election promises or put loyalty to their party before responsibility to the electorate.

Question 9

What is a referendum?

Answer 9

A referendum is a direct vote on a single issue, usually requiring a response to a straight yes/no question.

Question 10

British past referendums

Answer 10

The UK has had only three nationwide referendums: on Britain’s membership of the European Economic Community (or European Union) in 1975 and 2016; and on whether to change the system of voting for the Westminster Parliament in 2011.

Question 11

What is a pluralist democracy?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Define legitimacy

Answer 12

The legal right to exercise power (for example, a government’s right to rule following an election).

Question 13

Define democratic deficit

Answer 13

A perceived deficiency in the way a particular democratic body works, especially in terms of accountability and control
over policy-making.

Question 14

What is a participation crisis?

Answer 14

A lack of engagement with
the political system, for
example where a large number of people choose not to vote, join a political party or stand for office.

Question 15

Examples of direct democracy within representative democracy

Answer 15

National referendums

The 2015 Recall of MPs Act - This allows a petition to be triggered if an MP is sentenced to be imprisoned or is suspended from the House of Commons for more than 21 days. If 10 per cent of eligible voters in the constituency sign the petition, a by-election is called.

Question 16

Positive UK democratic features

Answer 16

Devolved governments for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and elected mayors for London and other English cities, enabling more decisions
to be taken closer to local people
Independent judiciary that
upholds the rule of law and protects a wide range of personal freedoms
Free media that challenges government policy and
exposes the misdeeds of politicians
Free and fair elections, largely free of corruption and intimidation, in recent years supplemented by opportunities to vote in referendums
Wide range of political parties and pressure groups to which people may belong

Question 17

UK undemocratic aspects

Answer 17

• Underrepresentation of minority viewpoints due to the voting system. FPTP produces a mismatch between the. votes cast for UK political parties and the seats that each party wins in Parliament. House of Lords lacks democratic legitimacy.
• Lack of protection for citizens’ rights. The European Convention on Human Rights, incorporated into UK law in 1998 (the Human Rights Act), arguably provides inadequate guarantees for the rights of citizens in their relationship with the state. Governments can ‘derogate from’ (suspend) articles of the Human Rights Act in certain situations.
• Control of sections of the media by wealthy, unaccountable business interests For example, the powerful Murdoch group has owned a number of British newspapers simultaneously, including The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

Question 18

Why is falling turnout a problem?

Answer 18

Falling turnout is important because it means that governments are elected on a reduced share of the popular vote, thus calling the strength of their mandate into question.

Question 19

Stats on UK turnout

Answer 19

The average turnout at general elections from 1945 to 1997 was 76 per cent. Since then, as Figure 1.2 shows, it has been lower. The percentage for 2001 (59.4%) was the lowest since the end of the First World War in 1918. There has been a modest recovery at the last two general elections, although it is still some way from the levels seen at most post-war contests.