Democracy & Participation Flashcards
What is Legitimacy? [2]
Right to govern
Right to make laws
How is legitimacy conveyed and how can the UK be seen to lack legitimacy as a result?
Through election
The FPTP system elects a government on a minority of the vote
How can consent be given? [5]
By election Good turnouts in elections Lack of popular dissent Clear demonstrations of support for government Referendum
What is Citizenship? [3] Give examples
Grants enjoyment of certain rights (to vote)
Enjoyment of civil liberties (freedom of expression)
Carries certain duties or obligations (to pay taxes)
Define democracy
System of government where the people have access to independent information and can influence the actions of government. Government is accountable to the people
Features of a modern democracy [7]
Free and fair elections
Peaceful transfer of power
Access to independent information
Government is accountable to the people
Different political beliefs are tolerated
Government operates in the broad interests of the people
2 examples of democratic institutions
UK, USA
What is direct democracy?
The people making the decisions themselves, normally through referendums
Examples of direct democracy
2011 AV Referendum
What is representative democracy? [5]
People elect representatives
People delegate their powers to these representatives
Parties represent different political views
Pressure groups represent sections of society and interests
Representative assemblies express the will of the people
How does representation operate in the UK? [6]
MPs represent constituencies
MPs represent their party
Parties represent different political views
Pressure groups represent different sections of society
HoC represents national interest
HoL represents sections of society
Features of a pluralist democracy? [4]
Multiple parties are allowed to operate
Different political beliefs are tolerated
Many sources of independent information
Power is dispersed
Example of a pluralist democracy
USA
Features of a liberal democracy [4]
Liberties respected and well protected
Strong constitution limits government power
Government has strong internal checks and balances
High level of political toleration
Example of liberal democracy
Germany
Advantages of representative democracy [5]
People don’t have time to be politically involved so elect representatives to act on their behalf
Representatives have more knowledge and expertise
Representatives can be made accountable
People may react emotionally, representatives are more rational
Representatives can educate the public
Disadvantages of representative democracy [4]
Difficult to make representatives accountable between elections
Representatives may ignore or distort the views of the public
MPs may toe party line rather than act in the interests of constituents
Voters can’t express preferences within election manifestos
Advantages of direct democracy [5]
Purest from of democracy
Referendums give decisions legitimacy
People can participate more directly in direct democracy
Important change can be entrenched through referendum
When government is decided, referendums solve the conflict
Disadvantages of direct democracy [6]
Issue too complex
People may vote irrationally
Too many referendums lead to voter fatigue
Voters lose respect for representative institutions
Referendums encourage tyranny of the majority
With a low turnout, result lacks legitimacy
Example of a referendum issue being too complex
2016 EU Referendum
Example of a referendum being voted on irrationally
Capital punishment
Referendum encouraging tyranny of the majority
2008 Californian referendum making civil partnerships illegal
Example of referendum lacking legitimacy due to poor turnout
1998 London elected mayor - 34%
Scenarios when referendums are necessary with examples [4]
When government is split on an issue (1975 European community membership)
When important constitutional change is being proposed (1998 London mayor)
When important constitutional change needs entrenching (1997 Scottish devolution)
When there is special need to secure popular consent (1998 GFA)
Compare direct democracy and representative democracy [5]
DD is purer
DD more associated with constructional change whereas RD more associated with daily politics
DD only majority view where RD considers all views
Representatives can be made accountable in RD
Referendums can be seen as more legitimate
How can UK citizens participate in politics? [4]
Voting in elections and referendums
Taking part in public consultations
Joining a pressure group or party
Standing for office
Evidence of decline in political participation [4]
Turnouts in referendums are low (2011 AV - 42%)
Party membership falling (4% in 1980 to 0.8% in 2010)
Widespread disillusionment with politics
Partisan de alignment
3 methods for increasing political participation
Compulsory voting
Votes at 16
E-democracy
Arguments for and against compulsory voting [3/3]
For
- increases turnout
- people become used to voting
- results are more legitimate
Against
- abuses people’s freedoms
- results are artificial
- can’t solve the problem of apathy
Arguments for and against votes at 16 [3/3]
For
- makes young politically aware
- improves identification with politics
- makes political education relevant
Against
- too young to make a judgement
- may not vote
- policies may be distorted to attract young voters
Arguments for and against E-democracy [3/3]
For
- provides greater to politics
- promotes direct democracy
- may increase electoral turnout
Against
- vulnerable to fraud and hacking
- false information can circulate easily
- those lacking technical knowledge might be excluded
Evidence of increasing political participation [3]
Pressure groups growing in numbers and membership
Increased use of social media
Increased use of direct action (STW Coalition)
Argue that the UK is democratic [7]
Free and fair elections
Free media with a number of independent sources
Democratic institutions
Freedom to vote
Tolerance of all views - parties and pressure groups
Parliament holds the government to account
Rights and liberties protected by ECHR
Argue that the UK isn’t democratic [7]
Unelected institutions exist such as the HoL
FPTP is unfair and elects government on a minority vote
PM has prerogative rights
No entrenched constitution
Parliamentary sovereignty means liberties are at its disposal
Power delegated to the EU
Political participation in decline
6 methods for improving UK democracy
Replacing the monarchy with a head of state Changing the voting system Introducing a second elected chamber Increased use of referendums Introducing a codified constitution Decentralising politics
Arguments for and against replacing the monarchy with an elected head of state [3/3]
For
- increase democratic legitimacy of the head of state
- make the head of state democratically accountable
- could improve political engagement
Against
- too much power to the governing party
- UK loses a historic institution
- could destabilise politics
Arguments for and against a second elected chamber [2/3]
For
- increase legitimacy of the second chamber
- act as an effective check on government power
Against
- less independent of party politics
- could check government excessively
- could challenge the authority of the commons
Arguments for and against reforming the electoral system [3/4]
For
- new systems would be fairer and make votes more equal
- HoC would be more politically representative
- increase democratic legitimacy of MPs
Against
- would remove the MP-Constituency link
- would make it harder for governments to be formed
- voters may not accept it
- unpredictable consequences
Arguments for and against increased use of referendums [3/5]
For
- increase political awareness
- purer form of democracy
- improve political education and participation
Against
- voter fatigue
- issues too complex
- voters react emotionally and irrationally
- voters lose respect for representative institutions
- encourage tyranny of the majority
Arguments for and against introducing a codified constitution [3/3]
For
- stop the drift towards excessive executive power
- create more public engagement and awareness
- rights and freedoms better protected
Against
- system loses flexibility
- many political traditions destroyed
- too much power to unelected unaccountable judges
Arguments for and against decentralising politics [3/2]
For
- local and regional government smaller and so more democratic
- less tight party control over politics
- strengthen local communities
Against
- not taken seriously could lead to low turnouts
- increased tension between local and national government
