Evaluate Democracy

Question 1

Features of democratic states

Answer 1

Universal suffrage
Civil liberties- rights, freedoms etc
Free, independent media

Question 2

Adv of direct- genuine

Answer 2

Only pure form of democracy= ensures laws made by people are followed

Question 3

Dis of representative- genuine

Answer 3

Always gulf between government and people= leads to political apathy= people feel powerless

Question 4

Adv of direct- personal development

Answer 4

Better informed citizens= educational benefits= encourages participation

Question 5

Dis of representative- personal development

Answer 5

Votes very infrequent= people switch off from politics= less understanding

Question 6

Adv direct- legitimacy

Answer 6

Ensures rules are legitimate= people take own responsibility= ensures political stability

Question 7

Dis representative- legitimacy

Answer 7

Voter turnout is low= less engaged

Question 8

Overall adv of direct

Answer 8

Genuine democracy
Legitimate government
End of professional politics
Personal development

Question 9

Adv direct- end of professional politics

Answer 9

Reduces public dependence= increase public trust= decisions have legitimacy

Question 10

Overall adv representatives

Answer 10

Practicable democracy
Division of labour in politics
Government by experts
Political stability

Question 11

Adv of rep- practicable

Answer 11

Only democracy that works in large, modern societies

Question 12

Adv rep- division in labour

Answer 12

More efficient= citizens relived burden of decision making

Question 13

Adv rep- experts

Answer 13

Decision making left to pros= better education than mass of the people

Question 14

Adv rep- political stability

Answer 14

Maintains political stability= distance citizens from politics= encourage compromise

Question 15

Data for no participation crisis

Answer 15

11% donate money to political party
18% take part in strikes
58% vote in election
34% sign e-petitions

Question 16

Key ideas of proof of participation crisis

Answer 16

Not voting
Not joining political parties
High levels of dissatisfaction with system

Question 17

Reasons for party membership decline

Answer 17

Parties remain stuck in past
= don’t reflect modern society
Age, gender, economics divides no longer considered

Question 18

Adv individual participation

Answer 18

Express individual preferences
= engage people in politics
= new ways to revive democracy’s fortunes

Question 19

Dis or individual preferences

Answer 19

Low level of engagement as it requires so little effort
= no repayment for higher levels of political participation like voting etc

Question 20

Order of franchise widening

Answer 20

1832- property owners could vote
1867- extended to skilled workers
1872- ballot act introduced
1883- people in counties could vote on same basis as those in towns
1885- redistributed seats in House of Commons
1918- all men over 21 and women over 30
1928- extended to women over 21
1969- extended to everyone over 18

Question 21

Overal dis direct

Answer 21

Only achievable in small communities
Politics is a job for everyone
Hard to clear tough decisions without education
Can over engage with people= get bored and create Dee divisions in society

Question 22

Reasons for membership decline

Answer 22

Parties stuck in the past= don’t reflect modern society
Age, gender, income etc divides no longer considered

Question 23

Parties that have gained members since 1950s

Answer 23

Green
SNP
UKIP
Liberal Democrat

Question 24

Adv of democracy in UK

Answer 24

• opportunities for public participation
• increased turnout from 59% to 69%
• universal suffrage
• pressure groups raise awareness and education on electorate
  = legally equal
• wide and growing party variety
  = wide range of options and views
  = educate public

Question 25

Dis of democracy in UK

Answer 25

• dip in turnout in 2019, from 69% to 67%
• lack of entrenched rights
  = key rights easily overturned by gov
  = undermines principle of democracy
  = eg covid rules restricted freedom of assembly right
• some pressure groups dominate political debates due to insider status etc
  = don’t compete on equal footing

Question 26

Adv and dis of initiatives

Answer 26

Adv
= allow new laws from public
= more direct control over law making

Dis
= undermine UK democracy by removing politicians from decision making
= potentially create scene that majority undermine rights of minority groups
= lead to tyranny of the majority

Question 27

Adv and dis of citizen assemblies

Answer 27

Adv
Way of exploring views of public on a policy issue and coming up with solutions
= reinforce representative democracy by building trust in political process through participation and engagement

Dis
To be successful must have clear question, sufficient time and large budget to cover topic in detail

Question 28

What happens during and afterwards if recall is successful

Answer 28

If 10% of those eligible to vote sign recall petition, MP removed from post
= by-election called to fill seat

Question 29

Adv and dis automatic voter registration

Answer 29

Adv
Ensure everyone is able to vote
= higher voter turnout

Dis
Costs
Issues wo try ensuring accuracy and concerns around security against fraud