Exam prep Flashcards
Themes: UK has a democratic defecit (agree)
-Accountability (Elections Act, every 4 years)
-Legitamacy/Stability (FPTP disadv, two party system, 2019 43% vote Con extra 48 seats despite 1.2% inc vote share)
-Participation (71% wasted votes in 2019 as for non-elected, 48% LD tact vote)
Themes: UK has a democratic defecit (disagree)
-Accountability (1997 NewLab replaced Major cons, Recall of MPs Act 2015)
-Legitimacy/stability (2011 AV ref 67% no vote)
-Participation (2019 408 registered parties, LD important kingmakers role)
Themes: media has most significant impact on VB (agree)
-Floating voters (2010 Cleggmania jumped 10% in polls overnight)
-Trusted broadcast media (1997 + 1979 careful media image, 2019 Johnson hid in fridge, 2010 Brown presented as a continuation of NewLab who were blamed for 2008 econ crisis)
-Young people + social media (2019 Con 2500 FB ads for mid ages, Lab 250)
Themes: Media has most significant impact on VB (disagree)
-Echo-chamber (2014 72% left wing Guardian readers, critical of Corbyn from r-w papers)
-Must remain impartial by law+ readership in decline (local paper sales fell by 19% in 2022, adults who read daily paper declined by 24%)
-Age (1992 all age groups strong Con maj except 18-24, 65+ 48% Con and 83% turnout compared to 63% for younger)
Themes: TT, lobbyists, pressure groups have little impact on gov decisions (agree)
-TT, simply offer advice not changing legislation(ASI 1988 Con budget which recommended personal income tax allowance raised to £12,000, not implemented until 2020)
-Lobbyists, gov pursues own interests instead (‘Get Brexit Done’ while Best for Britain wanted ref on Brexit deal, CBI strong ties to Con but not policies informed on Brexit)
-PG, outsiders not consulted (Occupy London protested against corporate greed and social inequality (Anti-capitalist) but ultimately made no change)
Themes: TT, lobbyist and pressure groups have little impact on gov decisions (disagree)
-TT, direct contact with gov officials, influence MPs (IEA ‘incubated’ Truss for mini budget)
-Lobbyist, influenced on seismic decisions (BAA windfall tax 1997, Leave EU on Brexit, in 1996 53% MPs felt lobbyists were effective)
-PGs, public support and popular reputation give influence (Inside Interests opened ballot on industrial action, influencing over pay disputes)
What is a democratic defecit?
Neil McNorton defined as “features of the political system which do not conform to, or fall short of, the normal criteria for a true democracy”
Themes: ETVT UK needs a codified constitution (agree)
-Interpreted by SC Justices (neutral and independent Miller v PM)
-Clearly establish confines of gov power (ref no legal status, covid, Brexit, Rwanda emergency legislation)
-Provides proper limited gov (‘elective dictatorship’ Lord Hailsham, Blair didnt lose vote from landslide seats in Commons)
Themes: ETVT UK needs a codified constitution (disagree)
-Justices unelected and not representative of public (only one female, no ethnic minority, avg age 66)
-Codified rigid and difficult to amend (Brexit passed by simple majority vote, rigid unable to keep up with social change)
-Wouldn’t limit power of gov (power should be balanced through devolution instead of unstable codification)
Themes: ETVT political parties should be state funded (agree)
-Reducing party dependence on vested interests (wealthy donors), Lord Sainsbury gave over £10 mil to Con since 2019
-SPF can be done democratically, more fair to minor parties with proportional systems
-Can avoid controversy from donations, (Ecclestone, Cash for Honours etc) SPF boosts legitamacy and trust
Themes: ETVT political parties should be state funded (disagree)
-Steady income may make parties complacent, currently they must recruit members (Corbyn 450k increase in membership during leadership elections)
-Reinforces political biases and 2P system (Leader of opp gains much more money than other opp parties)
-Lack of public support (Loss of trust since 2009 expenses scandal, violation of freedom to donate to parties)
