Functions And Democracy Flashcards
What is an election?
An occasion when voters are given the opportunity to choose a representative.
What is meant by the term mandate?
“Mandate” is the principle that, when a government is elected, it is considered to have the authority to carry out the commitments made in its manifesto as it has been vindicated by the people.
What are the four main functions of elections?
1) To elect representatives to represent different areas.
2) To grant a mandate to the government.
3) To hold the outgoing government to account for what it has done over its past 5 year term. The electorate have the freedom to reward them by reelecting them or to punish them by voting for a different party.
4) To choose between competing sets of policies and leaders.
In what way are elections considered to be educative?
Citizens are informed of the major issues facing their countries which makes them more politically aware.
How do elections ensure legitimacy?
They confer the authority to act on another’s behalf - either as an MP for a constituency or as the government for the entire nation.
In what ways do elections promote democracy in the UK?
1) Elections give people a choice which is a key principle of democracy.
2) All citizens have one vote only so everyone has equal input.
3) Elections are free for all to contest.
4) They give the people a voice over the issues which affect them and their lives.
5) Elections in the UK are significantly more practical than direct democracy which requires ongoing active participation.
Approximately how many voters are there in the UK?
45 Million
In what ways do elections not promote democracy in the UK?
1) The choice is limited to mainstream political parties.
2) Votes in marginal seats count a lot more than those in safe seats.
3) Only a third of MPs gain their seats with a majority of the vote.
4) Elections aren’t necessarily the best mechanism for democracy and other ways such as referenda and e-voting would work much better.
How many governments since 1945 have gained over 50% of the vote?
0
In the 2015 election, how many votes went to losing candidates?
15 million, which is 50%
In the 2015 election, how many votes are believed to have been used tactically?
2.8 million, or 9%
What is meant by a tactical vote?
To vote for what you consider to be the lesser evil, rather than for the party whose beliefs align the most with your own.
