Democracy Key Terms Flashcards
What is Legitimacy?
How much the government represents the people
What is Direct Democracy?
People vote for each individual voting decision ie Referendums
Involves the public directly in the making of each decision
ie voting for SOMETHING
What is Representative Democracy?
People vote for representatives in their constituencies to represent them in parliament
ie Voting for SOMEONE
What is Pluralist Democracy?
No single group is in control but various groups compete with each other to influence policy, spreading the power more evenly through society
What is Democratic Deficit?
A lack of democracy in parliament which is below the amount expected by the people voting MP’s into parliament
What is a Participation Crisis?
When a large proportion of the population do not involve in the political process, ie lack of people voting
What is a Franchise/Suffrage?
The ability or right to vote for someone in an election or referendum
What are Think Tanks?
NGO’s, institutions, corporations or groups providing advice on specific economic or political issues (ie immigration)
What are Lobbyists?
People who take part in organised attempts to influence legislators, ie Pressure groups, Trade Unions
What is Social Representation?
Members of representative bodies should mirror the larger population (ie gender, religion, race)
What does Representing the National Interest mean?
Members of representative bodies should represent the interests of a nation, sometimes over their constituency
What is Constituency Representation?
A geographical area that will have similar social and economic concerns that they expect to be represented by the representative in the area. Can represent the constituency as a whole, individual constituents, or listens to constituents when making decisions on a national issue
What is Party Representation?
Members of the party will campaign based on the policies of the party’s manifesto (Represent their constituents with their party’s ideals in mind)
What is Occupational/Social Representation?
Members of representative bodies who represent groups such as doctors or trade unions, or social groups like older people or low-income groups
What is Casual Representation?
Members of a representative body who represent ideas, principles and causes, rather than people (usually from pressure groups)
What is Liberal Democracy?
Governments rule by the consent of the governed, a social contract exists between the people and those in power so leaders should answer to the people. Also to ensure freedom of people, limitations restrict the government of full power, in order to create a free society
What is the peaceful transitions of power?
Those who lose power by democratic means accept the authority of those who have won. If they do not, politics breaks down and non-peaceful conflict is likely to occur. This helps to ensure that democracy can hold governments to account and ensures the legitimacy of those who have won an election.
What are Free elections?
Adults are all free to vote and stand for office, so no groups are excluded from the election and everyone can exercise their right to vote without fear, threat or intimidation. This is enforced through a secret ballot and a strictly enforced right to vote by courts.
What are Fair elections?
Everyone has one vote and each vote is of equal value, and there are safeguards in place to avoid electoral fraud and ballot rigging
What is the Widespread participation in politics?
When a large proportion of the population participates in politics, which can prevent the government from becoming too dictatorial
Without people’s participation in the political process, there is a breakdown in communication between the government and the governed
What is the Freedom of expression and information?
The right of people to express their opinions and criticise the government (Civil liberty)-> people cannot be arrested or persecuted for expressing negative opinions of those in power, their policies or their competence.
Also free access to public information- enabling the public to check the government on how well it is governing
What is Freedom of Association?
The freedom to form parties or pressure groups with legal aims and methods-> important for representation
What is the protection of rights and liberties?
Rights and liberties of citizens should be firmly safeguarded
(UK) Human Rights Act-> protects rights and liberties, the state cannot erode them
Equalities and Human Rights Commission (England and Wales)-> promotes and protects human life
What is the Rule of Law?
All citizens should be treated equally under its laws + governments should be subject to the same laws as its citizens
(they cannot break the law and if they do, they are subject to the same punishments)
What is Limited Government?
The idea that there are clear restrictions on government in order to protect the natural right of citizens (legally restrict the power of the government)
What is an Independant Judiciary?
Judges (members of the judiciary) are independant from the government so ensure everyone is treated equally under law and that government doesn’t exceed its authority.
Rights and liberties of citizens are more likely to be upheld
What is a constitution?
Add firm limits to the powers of government through law
What is Proportional Representation?
Those who are elected represent the number of the overall votes in the country, rather than per constituency
What are Unionist MPs?
MPs from Northern Ireland that are loyal to the UK, and want to remain fully part of the UK
What are Elections?
Based on democratic rules, used to elect representatives to Parliament and other representative institutions
Rules include adult suffrage, free and fair elections, fixed elections either within a maximum term or according to fixed terms
What is Parliament?
UK= constitutional democracy
Parliament is formed from parliamentary elections + is sovereign + source of all political power
- establishes a link between the government and the people, ensuring they are accountable to the people
- 2 Houses: House of Lords, House of Commons
- Governments secure authority by having a majority in the House of Commons
What is the Party system?
Democratic as a number of parties compete for power, affording the public a choice of candidates and manifestos at election time
What is the role of pressure Groups?
Broaden political participation + provide the public with an additional channel of communication with the government in relation to particular issues
What are Local Authorities and Devolved bodies?
system of elected local authorities + devolved bodies in Scotland,Wales, Northern Ireland
What are Referendums?
Resolve major constitutional issues + device of direct democracy
What does Standing for Public office mean?
Give up time to attend meetings, campaign, meet constituents, read information, make decisions
Lots of time even if you are unsuccessful in getting elected
What does Active Party Membership mean?
Engaged with the party they support, attend local meetings, voting for officers, campaign in the community, canvass at election time
What does Active pressure group membership mean?
Help to raise money and awareness of the cause they support
Can mean attending or organising demonstrations
What does Passive party or Group membership mean?
Support enough to join the party or pressure group, but take little of an active part, maybe only active during election time or signing petitions
What is a Digital Activist?
Common form of participation, individual takes part in campaigns and movements that happen online
Signing e-petitions, joining social media campaigns, express support on social media
What does Voting mean?
postal voting- don’t have to leave the house
Takes little effort to sign a ballot
What does Franchise/Suffrage mean?
Franchise and suffrage both refer to the ability/right to vote in public elections. Suffragettes were women campaigning for the right to vote on the same term as men.
What is a pressure group?
A membership-based associated whose aim is to influence policy-making without seeking power.
What are insider pressure groups?
Organisations that can negotiate behind the scene, may be able to offer their views on acts and drafts
Ie Think Tanks, close to certain parties, have effect and can change policies set by governments at the time
IPPR, Adam Smith, Nissan
What are outsider pressure groups?
less contact with government, protests, petition, more public disruption
- May have a lack of influence as to have to result in more physical measures, have less of an impact in government themselves
- More prosecutions
- Ie Tuition fees increased even after 2010 student demonstration
What are Sectional pressure groups?
Promotes the interests of a particular section of society
What are Causal pressure groups?
Promote certain causes or values found within society
What are Think Tanks?
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.
What is the role of Think Tanks?
Evidence based ideas into policy making
Research to improve society, influence policy makers, general public, decision makers
Infuse public debate with research, evidence, information, advice
What is a Lobbyist?
A lobbyist is paid by clients to try and influence the government and/or MPs and members of the House of Lords to act in their clients’ interests, particularly when legislation is under consideration.
Distinct organisations or individuals that sell expert knowledge of the political process to those who can afford to hire them
What is Lobbying?
When an individual or group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign. Lobbying can be done in person, by sending letter and emails or via social media.
What do Lobbyists do on a basic level?
Employ people with close relation to those in power (ie former advisers or staff for politicians), create strategies for their clients to access the political process + selling insider status
Provide political blueprint to help put pressure on those in power
What are universal human rights?
Enaliable and universal, cannot be granted or revoked
