Democracy in context in the UK

Question 1

What is power?

Answer 1

The ability to make people do things they may not like to do.

Question 2

What is authority?

Answer 2

The given right to influence other’s actions and behaviours.

Question 3

What does it mean when a government is “legitimate”?

Answer 3

They have won an election and therefore have authority.

Question 4

What is democracy?

Answer 4

A political system where people make, or influence, political decisions.

Question 5

What is direct democracy? (3 points)

Answer 5

• People make decisions, not representatives.
• Gives the people greater power.
• Can be impractical as not everyone may be invested enough.

Question 6

What is representative democracy? (3 points)

Answer 6

• The people vote to choose politicians who will represent their views.
• Unpopular representatives can be voted out at the next general election.
• Representatives vote on our behalf.

Question 7

What are the advantages of direct democracy? (3 points)

Answer 7

1. Pure democracy - public will not distorted
2. Encourages participation and educates public on core issues
3. Genuinely gives people the power

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of direct democracy? (5 points)

Answer 8

1. Population size makes it impractical due its expensive and difficulty in nature
2. Public may not have time or interest or understanding
3. Potential for corruption and bias due to wealth
4. Public may be unwilling to make unpopular but necessary decisions
5. Could lead to tyranny of the majority

Question 9

What are the advantages of representative democracy? (5 points)

Answer 9

1. More practical for modern population size
2. MPs may have greater experience
3. MPs may be more willing to make unpopular but necessary decisions
4. MPs held accountable at next election
5. Avoids tyranny of the majority as it argues all groups should be represented

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of representative democracy? (4 points)

Answer 10

1. MPs might not always represent views of public
2. Parties can have great influence over the actions of MPs through eg chief whip
3. Low public interest and participation can leave decisions to a small elite
4. Our election system makes it difficult for smaller parties to win, meaning many go unrepresented

Question 11

What is the delegate role of representative democracy?

Answer 11

Representatives act as a “mouthpiece” for the wishes of the electorate.

Question 12

What is the Burkean role of representative democracy?

Answer 12

Representatives should act on their conscience as to what is best, regardless of the party and electorate’s view.