Direct & Representative democracy & participation (1.1) Uk Politics - Democracy & Participation Flashcards
Direct democracy
All individuals express their opinions themselves and not through representatives on their behalf.
Representative democracy
A form of democracy in which an individual selects a person (or political party) to act on their behalf to exercise political choice
Majority rule
Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority.
Advantages of direct democracy (x4)
- Gives equal weight to all votes, unlike a representative system where the varying sizes of constituencies mean that votes do not all have equal value.
- Encourages popular participation in politics by expecting people to take their duties as citizens seriously.
- Removes the need for trusted representatives, as people can take responsibility for their own decision
- Develops a sense of community and encourages genuine debate.
Disadvantages of direct democracy (x4)
- Impractical in a large, heavily populated modern state where decision-making is complicated.
- Many people will not want to, or feel qualified to, take part in decision-making, so political activists decide what happens.
- Open to manipulation by the cleverest and most articulate speakers, who will persuade people to support their viewpoint.
- Will of the majority is not mediated by parliamentary institutions, so minority viewpoints are disregarded.
Advantages of representative democracy (x5)
- The only practical system in a large modern state, where issues are complex and often need rapid response (for example, the deployment of troops).
- Politicians form parties, bringing coherence and giving people a real choice of representative. Pressure groups form to represent different interests, promoting debate and encouraging pluralist democracy.
- Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by ‘tyranny of the majority’
- Elections allow people to hold representatives to account.
- Politicians are (in theory) better informed than the average citizen about the many issues on which they must take a view.
Disadvantages of representative democracy (x5)
- May lead to reduced participation as people choose to hand responsibility to politicians.
- Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites pursuing their own agendas, not truly representing the people
- Minorities may still find themselves under-represented as politicians are more likely to follow the views of the majority to secure election.
- Politicians are skilful in avoiding accountability, especially as general elections are usually 5 years apart in the UK.
- Politicians may be corrupt and incompetent, may betray election promises or put loyalty to their party before responsibility to the electorate.
Tyranny of the majority
The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain to the detriment of minority rights and interests.
Pluralist democracy (2 definitions)
a model of democracy that stresses vigorous competition among various interests in a free society.
A type of democracy in which a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations
Direct democracy within representative democracy (x2)
National Referendum & Recall of MPs Act (2015)
The UK 3 referendums
- Britain’s membership on the European Economic Community 1975
- Whether to change the voting system for Westminster Parliament 2011
- Brexit 2016
Recall of MPs Act (2015)
If an MP is imprisoned or suspended from Parliament for more than 21 days it’s constituents can sign a petition calling for a by-election
Positive democratic features of UK government (x5)
Free media Independent Judiciary Devolved Governments Free & fair elections Wide range of political parties & pressure groups
Free media (positive attribute of UK government)
This challenges government policy and exposes misdeeds of politicians
Independent Judiciary (positive attribute of UK government)
Upholds the rule of law and protects a wide range of personal freedoms
Devolved Governments (positive attribute of UK government)
Enabling more decisions to be taken closer to local people
Free & fair elections (positive attribute of UK government)
Free of corruption and intimidation (private votes)
Wide range of political parties and pressure groups (positive attribute of UK government)
A variety of views - people feel represented
Legitimacy
The legal right to exercise power, for example, a governments right to rule following an election
Democratic deficit
A perceived deficiency in the way a particular democratic body work, especially in terms of accountability and control over policy making
Ways UK political system is undemocratic (x5)
Under-representation of minority viewpoints due FPTP voting system
House of Lords lack democratic legitimacy
Lack of protection for citizens’ rights
Control of sections of the media by wealthy, unaccountable business interests
Participation Crisis
Under-representation of minority viewpoints due FPTP voting system (ways UK political system lacks democracy)
Minority viewpoints go unheard under First-past-the-post system - mismatch between votes cast for a party and seats won e.g. UKIP 2015 3.9 million votes & only 1 seat vs Conservatives 11.3 million votes & 329 seats (4 times the votes 329 times the seats)
House of Lords lack democratic legitimacy (ways UK political system lacks democracy)
Wholly unelected. Mainly appointed by Prime Minister but also other party leaders.
Non-party ‘crossbench’ peers nominated since 2000 by independent House of Lords Appointments Commission. Leads to a variety of professions and views but still unelected
Lack of protection for citizens’ rights (ways UK political system lacks democracy)
European Convention on Human Rights (1998 incorporated into UK law) provides inadequate guarantees for the rights of citizens in their relationship with the state.
Governments can ‘derogate’ from articles of Human Rights Act stating that parts no longer have legal authority (Article 15 - derogation in time of emergency) e.g. Belmarsh 9 case
Control of sections of the media by wealthy, unaccountable business interests (ways UK political system lacks democracy)
EG The Murdoch group owned Times, Sunday Times & The Sun all at once
Participation Crisis (ways UK political system lacks democracy) - definition
A lack of engagement with the political system. For example where a large number of people choose not to vote, join a political party or stand for office.
Article 15 of human rights act & example
Derogate in times of emergency e.g. 2001 terrorist threat / Belmarsh 9 case (those considered a ‘national threat’ were held without trial)
