Democracy vocab list Flashcards
Accountability
- The fact or condition of being held responsible
Civil liberties
-Being subject to laws established for the good of the community - especially regarding the freedom of action and speech
Civil society
- Society concerned as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity
Common law
- English law derived from custom and judicial (court) precedent rather than written law (statutes)
Decentralisation
- Transfer of control of an activity or organisation to several lord offices or authorities - not a single power
Democratic deficit
- When democratic organisations don’t fufill the principles of democracy in practice
Direct democracy
- Policies and law decided by the public electorally rather than a body of elected representatives
E-democracy
Digital democracy using electric forums
Electoral mandates
Someone who can carry out a particular policy or task as they are elected to
Elitism
The belief that a society or system should be led by the elite
Formal equality
Everyone is giving the same opportunity regardless of a person’s circumstance
Franchise and group politics
The right to vote in public elections
A party
Hyperpluralism
When multiple groups or factions become so politically strong the government is unable to function
Legitimacy
Conformity to the laws/rules
Limited government
There should be legal constraints on the power of political authorities - especially with respect to individual rights
Lobbyists
People who sell political information/advice
Manifesto
A public declaration of policy and aims especially one issued before an election by a political party
Participation crisis
When a large proportion of the population do not engage in the political process
Pluralism and a pluralist democracy
A coexistence of 2+ sources of authority
A political system where there is more than 1 centre of power
Promotional group
Organisations campaigning for a specific cause of objective and promoting approaches
Redress of grievances
The right to make a complaint to/or seek the assistance of government without fear of punishment
Representative democracy
When elected officials debate and pass legislative on behalf of the general public
Sectional group
A PG that promotes the interest of a particular department
Suffrage
The right to vote in political elections
Think tanks
An organisation that researches for bill ideas and amendments for the government
