Key terminology - UK pol

Question 1

direct democracy

Answer 1

a system where the people are able to make decisions directly on an issue, usually in the form of a yes or no response

(ie. Brexit referendum)

Question 2

representative democracy

Answer 2

a system where the people elect a person or a group of people to represent their interests and make a decision on their behalf

Question 3

liberal democracy

Answer 3

the right to vote is widespread and representatives will act in the interests of everyone

Question 4

majoritarian democracy

Answer 4

when the will or desires of the majority of the population are the prime considerations of the government

Question 5

parliamentary democracy

Answer 5

a system where Parliament stands as the highest form of authority

The executive branch will be drawn from and accountable to the people’s representatives in Parliament

Question 6

presidential democracy

Answer 6

a system where the executive will be elected separately from the legislative body and therefore is chosen and directly accountable to the people

(US system)

Question 7

pluralist democracy

Answer 7

a system where the power is widely and evenly distributed across society rather than concentrated in the hands of an elite

• government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisation

Question 8

democracy

Answer 8

a system where power is held by the people

Question 9

political participation

Answer 9

activities through which citizens seek to influence the individuals, institutions, and processes that shape their everyday lives

Question 10

formal participation (examples)

Answer 10

the election of representatives, voting in referendums / elections, membership of political parties, and attending public meetings

Question 11

informal participation (examples)

Answer 11

range of ‘bottom up’ grassroots activities

online activism, signing petitions, purchasing or boycotting certain products for political reasons, discussing politics with family and friends.

Question 12

franchise / suffrage

Answer 12

the ability / right to vote in public elections

Question 13

lobbyist

Answer 13

someone who is paid by clients in order to try and influence the government / MPs / Peers to act in their client’s interest, particularly when legislation is under consideration

Question 14

think tank

Answer 14

a body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain topic(s)

• investigate and offer solutions to often complicated economic, social, or political issues

Question 15

participation crisis (+ examples)

Answer 15

a lack of engagement with the political process by a significant number of citizens

• choosing not to vote
• choosing not to join a political party
• not offering themselves for public office

Question 16

legitimacy

Answer 16

the rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely held agreements

(ie. government’s right to rule following an election)

Question 17

civil liberties

Answer 17

rights and freedoms enjoyed by the citizens that protect them from unfair treatment by the government
- never guaranteed

Question 18

civil rights

Answer 18

rights and freedoms that are protected / guaranteed by the state and the constitution

• the government must play an active part in protecting and allowing people to exercise these rights freely and equally

Question 19

accountability

Answer 19

where those who have been elected in a representative democracy must be made responsible for their policies, actions, decisions, and general conduct

without accountability, such representation becomes meaningless

Question 20

polls

Answer 20

another term for elections

• establish the number of people who support a particular person, party, or issue

Question 21

constituents

Answer 21

the ordinary voters who elect a particular representative, usually based on residence in a particular geographical area

Question 22

universal suffrage

Answer 22

the idea that all people who are recognised as adults have the right to vote regardless of any social or economic considerations

Question 23

secret ballot

Answer 23

the practise of voting being private so no one will know how an individual cast their vote

Question 24

ballot rigging

Answer 24

the process of fixing an election to ensure a particular outcome

• extra votes stuffed into ballot boxes
• miscounting votes
• losing ballot boxes

Question 25

civil society

Answer 25

all various activities that are able to occur without any government interference
–> it is a vital counterbalance to the power of the government

• pressure groups
• parties
• voluntary organisations
• charities
• media

Question 26

elective dictatorship

Answer 26

a government that dominates Parliament - usually due to a large majority, and therefore has few limits on its power

Question 27

democratic deficit

Answer 27

flaw in the democratic process where decisions are taken / made by people who lack legitimacy (due to not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input / not being subject to accountability)

• reason for many Brexiteers (applied to the EU and its laws)

Question 28

national interests

Answer 28

something that may not be popular but will be the best for the nation as a whole
therefore, MPs have a duty to prioritise that above the concerns of the citizens

(The responsibility of the government is to firstly protect the people)

• the reason for what is deemed as a national interest is highly debated often

Question 29

redress of grievance

Answer 29

ancient function of the HoC

• an MP pursues a grievance that a constituent may have against a public body (usually claiming that they have been unequally treated)

–> MPs may lobby ministers and officials to raise the matter in the HoC

Question 30

features of a liberal democracy

Answer 30

PPPFFFFRIC

• peaceful transition of power
• protection of rights
• participation in politics (widespread)
• free elections
• fair elections
• freedom of expression
• freedom of association
• Rule of law
• Independent judiciary
• Constitution

Question 31

Parliament vs Government (distinction)

Answer 31

Parliament = HoC and HoL (+ monarch)
–> represent the public’s interests and make sure they’re taken into account by the Government.

Government = PM, Cabinet, ministers, civil servants (the winning party + civil servants)
–> responsible for running the country
–> cannot make new laws / raise new taxes without Parliament’s agreement