Democracy + participation

Question 1

Liberal democracy

Answer 1

right to vote widespread and representatives act in interests of electorate

Question 2

Majoritarian democracy

Answer 2

will of majority primary concern

Question 3

Parliamentary democracy

Answer 3

parliament highest authority- executive accountable to peoples representative in parliament

Question 4

presidential democracy

Answer 4

executive elected seperately from legislative body- chosen and accountable to the people

Question 5

direct democracy

Answer 5

citizens directly involved in decision making- referendums

Question 6

representative democracy (current)

Answer 6

people transfer power to make decisions on elected representative

Question 7

Functions of democracy

Answer 7

Representation
accountability
participation
power dispersal- evenly distributed
legitimacy- legal authority
education

Question 8

arguments for direct democracy

Answer 8

pure- everyone has a say
increased legitimacy
improves participation + engagement
improved political education

Question 9

Arguments against direct democracy

Answer 9

impractical
tyranny of majority- minority groups overlooked
undermines elected representatives
low turnouts
emotional response+ populist outcomes

Question 10

turnout examples

Answer 10

Scottish referendum- 84.6%
EU referendum- 72%
2017 general election- 69%
2001 election- 59%

Question 11

Pressure groups

Answer 11

raise public awareness and bring significant matters to attention

Question 12

Voting system (FPTP) flaws

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Positives of representative democracy

Answer 13

everyone represented
FPTP simple and clear
Universal suffrage

Question 14

Negatives of representative democracy

Answer 14

FPTP unfair- wasted votes + unrepresentative, safe seats

2 party system- lack of choice

Question 15

problems of low turnout

Answer 15

question of legitimacy of elected officials.
Extremist parties gain larger share of vote
Lack of accountability

Question 16

Participation crisis

Answer 16

Electoral participation- 2001 59%

Party membership dropped- 1950s Labour had 1 million members- 2015 is 500,000

Question 17

No participation crisis

Answer 17

Increasing turnout
More parties- 11 parties represented in last parliament
Pressure group membership increased- BLM
Social campaigns + social media

Question 18

Sectional and casual pressure groups

Answer 18

Sectional- protect interests of members, self interest, closed
Casual- promote ideal, open

Question 19

Internet good for pressure groups (table)

Answer 19

Yes: cheap and spreads awareness (viral)
More participation
No: difficult to stand out
professional website etc- expensive

Question 20

HR effectively protect rights?

Answer 20

Yes: enshrined in statute law
Legislation has to comply w HR
No: act not entrenched
Can’t overturn primary legislation in parliament

Question 21

Reasons for pressure group failure

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Reasons for pressure group success

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Judiciary best defending rights (table)

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Parliament best defending rights (table)

Answer 24

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