Democracy at a national and local level Flashcards
Define Liberal
broad minded and not constrained by generally accepted opinion; liberal views in a political sense are those which support greater freedom, both individually and in political institutions
Define democratic
Representative of, for and by the people; derived from the word democracy, which is a form of government in which the people collectively hold power.
What was the septennial act?
Passed in 1716 to extend parliament from 3 to 7 years. In theory it created a more stable government and cut down on election expenses
What made Britain’s constitution admired as liberal and democratic by many of their European neighbours?
- The rule of law (especially common law)
- The independence of the judiciary
- Religious toleration for dissenting protestants
- A free press
- All of these, aside from the free press, had been established in the 1689 Bill of Rights
Why can the notion that Britain’s constitution was liberal and democratic be seen as a misguided one?
- The majority of people had very little opportunity bto voice their opinion on matters of local and national importance
- Engaging popular syupport for government policy was not seen as necessary or wise
- The ruling elite had a firm belief that authority exercised by those of birth, rank, property and education in order to maintain law and order, would preserve a stable and well-governed society. This applied equally at a local level
Why were many seats not contested at elections?
The upheaval amd expense of elections encourged ‘compacts and compromises’ betwwen local landowning families to agree on a nomination, and so the electorate did not get an opportunity to use their vote
‘What does Jonathan Clark say about the fact that many electors did not get a chance to exercise their right to vote?
‘The cry was not generally raised that electors were deprived of the right to participate by the absence of a contest’
What was an alderman?
A civic dignitary in the borough, next in rank to the mayor and elected by fellow councillors
Who dominated administrative arrangements for the counties and towns?
The aristocracy and gentry
Who was the most important official in the counties?
The Lord Lieutenant, whose position was decided by royal appointment. They were almost always a member of the aristocracy and sat in the house of lords and therefore supported the government and had access to crown patronage. He was responsible for the maintenance of law and order and local defense
Who did the Lord Lieutenant appoint?
Justices of the peace (JPs) from among the local gentry and clergy. They symbolised authority. Their job wqs to administer the county and parishes. They also administered justice, often serving harsh punishments for petty crimes, such as poaching on one of the landowners’ estates
Who held power in the towns?
Power was shared between the gentry and merchant class, whose common qualification was property, wealth and influence
Some towns were run by a mayor and corporation. What does this mean?
This comprised of the local elite, with the alderman as justice of the peace
What were closed corporations?
Corporations like Edinburgh that were self electing and therefore self perpetuating
