Democracy - Paper 1 Flashcards
What is direct democracy?
A form of democracy where the electorate decides on policy initiatives without elected representatives as proxies
What is representative democracy?
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives who govern on their behalf?
In what form does direct democracy still exist?
In referendums, and thus should be seen as a suplementation of a representative democracy rather than a system in itself.
What are the features of direct democracy?
- elections to choose representatives
- accountability
- different scales of representation
- opposition parties scrutinise incumbent
What is social representation
social representation - that the characterisitics of members of representative bodies should broadly be in line with the haracterisitcs of the population which they are representing - a microism of society. For example, 40% of MPs in 2024 were woman
What is representing the national interest?
That elected officials should make decisions based on they feel is in the best interest of the nation, not on what is popular. For example, the bombing of Iraq in 2003 despite large public pushback
What is party representation?
When politicians vote in a way that represents what their party stands for, rather than what they or the electorate believes in. E.g James Cleverly supporting the Rwanda Policy despite it going against his personal beliefs
What is causal representation?
Representing an idealogy or aim for socitey, rather than a group of people
What is constituency representation?
Putting the needs of your consituency above all else - Philip Davies stated he will always put constituency interests before those of his own or his party, voting against the tory whip 250 times.
What are the advantages of direct democracy?
- It is the purest form of the democracy
- it encourages political engagement as people vote directly on bills, so will learn about it in the process -
What is a pressure group?
A group of like minded people wo attempt to influence government policey without seeking election to public office.
What are the different types of pressure group?
Insider - regular contact with decision makers and so are able to work ‘inside’ the political system - eg the National Farmers Union
outsider - do not have close ties to the political system, so must influence the government through other means - eg just stop oil/XR
Sectional - represent a particular sub section of society - e.g the BMA
Causal - represents a particular belief or issue - Greenpeace/Ash
What are the different methods used by pressure groups?
will vary greatly depending on their status:
*insider groups will target various ccess points (the people and places pressure groupd can apply pressure to acheive their desired outcome.
