Democracy + Participation 10 Markers Outlines

Question 1

How can use of direct democracy make the UK more democratic?

Answer 1

Mini referenda, e-petitions e.g. over 100,000 signatures debate, use of internet, e-technology instead of voting stations

Question 2

Why can use of direct democracy make the UK more democratic?

Answer 2

Participation crisis, more convenient ways to vote = more votes = more legitimate outcome/parliament, greater DD = every individual gets say

Question 3

In what circumstances are referendums held in UK? (3)

Answer 3

Manifesto Pledges (1997 Labour MoL, 2015 Con EU), Increase Democracy (devolve), Local Issues (disputes)

Question 4

How is legitimacy maintained in the UK political system? (3)

Answer 4

Define legitimacy (tight to rule), Elections, Framework of Established Rules (constitution)

Question 5

What problems have been associated with direct democracy? (3)

Answer 5

Uneducated Public (lack education, binding), Impracticality (drag out decision making, impossible for large societies, large burden for those with families), Lack of Distance

Question 6

What are the main features of representative democracy in the UK? (3)

Answer 6

Free, Fair + Regular Elections (fixed parliaments every 5 years, ‘secret ballot’ + ‘one person, one vote’ - elect rep), Universal Suffrage (decisions based on maj actually reflect maj - extension of franchise), Ranging Political Parties (accommodate visions of all, BNP)

Question 7

How has direct democracy been more widely used in the UK in recent years? (3)

Answer 7

Referendums (Scottish independence 2014), Focus Groups/Opinion Polls (Labour 1997 intro opinion polls), Citizens Juries (2007 Gordon Brown, debate + deliberate policies/issues)

Question 8

Explain the arguments in favour of making voting compulsory? (3)

Answer 8

Turnout (make increase long term), Education (forces to think about politics, more politically engaged thus educated), Legitimacy (gov voted in by more of public more legitimate since more have consented and given right to rule)

Question 9

Apart from referendums explain three ways in which democracy in the UK could be improved? (3)

Answer 9

Electoral Reform (PR, more proportional, represent public more accurately as under FPTP only need plurality - enhance equality UKIP AMS 83), Compulsory Voting (increase turnout, legitimacy, reflect interests of all), E-Democracy (bring democracy into modern era, more appealing, more voting)

Question 10

Explain the arguments in favour of lowering the voting age? (3)

Answer 10

Responsibilities without Rights, Youth Interests Ignored (also need to live with it for potentially 5 years - when they’re over the age), Irrational Cut Off Age (not limited to educated + politically engaged so why not for 16 year olds)

Question 11

Explain three strengths of representative democracy? (3)

Answer 11

Practice (DD unrealistic + unachievable in modern age, division of labour, easily operable in large societies, Ancient Athens), Government by Expert (expertise in political field, govern with public interest, DD allows ill-informed public to make important decisions), Distances Public (more willing to compromise)

Question 12

Explain three forms of democratic participation? (3)

Answer 12

Voting in elections, Voting in referendums, Joining political parties

Question 13

In what ways has political participation in the UK declined in the UK in recent years? (3)

Answer 13

Voter Turnout (1992 = 77.7%, 2001 59%, 2010 65%, 2015 66%), Party Membership (Con 1998 1.2m > 2006 0.27m - 1980 party membership 1.7m, 2008 476,000 members), Partisan Dealignment (identify less closely with political parties than used to)

Question 14

Explain the main features of the UKs democratic system? (3)

Answer 14

Free, Fair, Regular Elections, Representative Democracy, Range of Political Parties