Democracy + participation Flashcards
Liberal democracy
right to vote widespread and representatives act in interests of electorate
Majoritarian democracy
will of majority primary concern
Parliamentary democracy
parliament highest authority- executive accountable to peoples representative in parliament
presidential democracy
executive elected seperately from legislative body- chosen and accountable to the people
direct democracy
citizens directly involved in decision making- referendums
representative democracy (current)
people transfer power to make decisions on elected representative
Functions of democracy
Representation accountability participation power dispersal- evenly distributed legitimacy- legal authority education
arguments for direct democracy
pure- everyone has a say
increased legitimacy
improves participation + engagement
improved political education
Arguments against direct democracy
impractical tyranny of majority- minority groups overlooked undermines elected representatives low turnouts emotional response+ populist outcomes
turnout examples
Scottish referendum- 84.6%
EU referendum- 72%
2017 general election- 69%
2001 election- 59%
Pressure groups
raise public awareness and bring significant matters to attention
Voting system (FPTP) flaws
Wasted votes- vote for candidates who don’t win plays no role
safe seats
unrepresentative- EG UKIP winning 13% of vote 2015 but only 1 seat, SNP 56 seats with 2%
Winners bonus- exaggerates support received by most popular party
2 party system
Unfavourable to minority parties
Positives of representative democracy
everyone represented
FPTP simple and clear
Universal suffrage
Negatives of representative democracy
FPTP unfair- wasted votes + unrepresentative, safe seats
2 party system- lack of choice
problems of low turnout
question of legitimacy of elected officials.
Extremist parties gain larger share of vote
Lack of accountability
Participation crisis
Electoral participation- 2001 59%
Party membership dropped- 1950s Labour had 1 million members- 2015 is 500,000
No participation crisis
Increasing turnout
More parties- 11 parties represented in last parliament
Pressure group membership increased- BLM
Social campaigns + social media
Sectional and casual pressure groups
Sectional- protect interests of members, self interest, closed
Casual- promote ideal, open
Internet good for pressure groups (table)
Yes: cheap and spreads awareness (viral)
More participation
No: difficult to stand out
professional website etc- expensive
HR effectively protect rights?
Yes: enshrined in statute law
Legislation has to comply w HR
No: act not entrenched
Can’t overturn primary legislation in parliament
Reasons for pressure group failure
Goal contradicts govt policy
govt resists pressure- EG Stop the War Coalition rallies for Iraq 2003
Countervailing forces- loss against stronger group
Goals against popular opinion- EG Coalition for Marriage against legal recognition of gay marriage
Group alienates public
Reasons for pressure group success
Insider status- close links to govt able to influence
Wealth- 2012 Bankers association paid lobbyists to cut corporation tax
Large membership
Organisation- 2012 RMT union strikes for bonus for members during olmypics
Expertise- AA provide evidence for mobile phone when driving
Celebrity endorsement
Judiciary best defending rights (table)
Yes: Judges exercise rule of law+ judicial review to protect
Judicial independence- neutral without political pressure
No: Judges undemocratic and unnaccountable
Seniour judges work w parliament to advide on legality of legislation
Lack of codified constitution- judiciary can’t strike down primary legislation
Judges unrepresentative and from narrow background- less aware of modern issues
Parliament best defending rights (table)
Yes: parliamentary sovreignty
more representative of people
MPs raise constituents concern
Parliament democratically elected- more accountable
No: Parliament can suspend HRA
dominated by governing party- tyranny of majority
HOL undemocratic
