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Politics Paper 1 > Mr Scriven - Democracy/Participation > Flashcards

Mr Scriven - Democracy/Participation Flashcards

1
Q

Representative democracy is a crisis in the UK - analyse and evaluate - 25 marks

A

Intro- representative democracy is = representatives elected by public can be seen as an issue as we aren’t proportional however we do promote electoral influence in many ways

Agree 1 - FPTP distorts the result and leads to an inaccurate representation
- Example - favours larger parties and disadvantages smaller parties e.g 2019 conservatives = 43% vote and 365 seats and Greens won 3% of votes and 1 seat.
- Significant as it highlights the flaws of winners bonus of FPTP so therefore representative democracy would be improved by more proportional system like AMS used for London assembly elections.

Agree 2 - unelected elements such as HOL means those making decisions are unaccountable to the people
- Example - Cameron became a lord in November 2023 after being appointed foreign secretary - Cameron previously stepped down from being an MP in 2017 after he failed to convince the electorate to vote remain in 2016
- significant weakness as it shows representative democracy is a crisis - as foreign policy decisions could be being made without check from electorate
- uk is also only democracy to have an unelected chamber
However - the HOL does provide good checks on the elected chamber to ensure the MPS are creating legislation that with benefit the population.

Disagree 1 - all part of the uk are represented in constituencies of equal size roughly
- this demonstrates how everyone is represented by a mp and most act in ways which represent their constituents e.g Zac Goldsmith
However not all parts of the UK are equally represented and have a smaller population eg Isle of white

Disagree 2 - pressure groups enhance representative democracy
- example - Marcus Ashford’s free serve campaign launched in October 2020 and by April 2021 has 1.1m signatures which led to two govt u-turns
- pressure groups contribute to pluralist society and there are many groups which represent many aims - opportunities for government influence
However not all pressure groups are listened to e.g CND

Conclusion - disagree as we have pressure groups and referendums which promotes electorates influence/opinion not just MP’s

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2
Q

Explain and analyse three circumstances under which referendums have been held in the uk - 9 marks

A

P1 - to fulfil manifesto pledges in party manifestos
-e.g labour in 1997 promised a referendum on a mayor of London as well as conservatives in 105 who promised a brexit refendum

P2 - to satisfy the terms of an agreement
-coalition
- AV referendum in 2011 = Lib Dem/coalition agreement

P3 - political pressure
- SNP received a huge majority in Scottish election which called for independence
- agreements were made to hold the Scottish independence referendum in 2014

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3
Q

Different forms of political participation

A

-demonstrations
- voting
-social media
-writing to a local mp/politician
- pressure groups
- signing petitions
-joining a political party - volunteer
- protest/march
- watching political programmes
- contacting the media
-fundraising/charity
-displaying political party posters
-boycotts

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4
Q

Evidence of increased participation

A

-demonstrations
- social media
- pressure groups
- signing petitions
- protest
- fundraising/charity
-political posters
- boycotts
- contacting the media
-writing to a politician

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5
Q

Decreasing participation evidence

A

Voting
Political programmes
Joining a political party

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6
Q

First past the post - key facts

A

Name for the electoral system used to elect mps to Westminster parliament
650 MPs in parliament who represent constituencies
The leader of the party with the most MPs elected becomes pm if they have a majority over all over parties
They need a simple majority (+1)
Majoritarian system
Each constituency represents around 65,000 voters

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7
Q

Evidence of the decline of party membership

A

Labour members 2014 = 190,000
Labour members 1953 = 1 million

Conservative members 2014 = 135,000
Conservative members 1953 = 3 million

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8
Q

Reasons to explain the decline in traditional forms of participation - voting

A

Apathy - pointless
People don’t see a change in every day life
Peer pressure
Smaller parties have no chance of winning
Elderly - not their future
Location - may be too far from local election station
Lack of trust for politicians
Politicians life’s too public
Needing photo id
Religion

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9
Q

Turnout comparison to other countries 2012 - fptp

A
  • french presidential election = 80%
  • Germany = 71%
  • Switzerland = 47%
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10
Q

Turnout comparison to other elections in the uk 2012 - fptp

A
  • 1998 local council elections = 30%
  • 1999 European Parliament election = 23%
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11
Q

How does fptp work

A

Uk is split into 650 constituencies and one is elected from each constituency
X represents your vote on a ballot paper
1 vote per candidate
Candidate with most votes in each constituency wins
The majority is the difference in votes between 1st and 2nd place

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12
Q

Elections results - case study

A

1983 = labour got 28% of vote and 209 seats and Lib Dem got 25% of vote and only 23 seats
1997 = labour won 418 seats compared to conservatives 165

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13
Q

Turnout declining

A

1950 = 83.9%
2001 = 59.4% (lowest ever)

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14
Q

What’s the highest ever turnout been in the uk

A

Scottish independence referendum - 85%

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15
Q

What are the majoritarian systems

A

Fptp
Alternative vote
Supplementary vote

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16
Q

What are the proportional systems

A

List systems
Single transferable vote

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17
Q

Hybrid system

A

Combo of majoritarian system and proportional = additional member system

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18
Q

Strengths of fptp

A

+ simple system ‘x’ in the box for chosen candidate
+ the count is simple not common mistakes
+ don’t need to wait a long time - results often declared in a few hours
+ constituency link - local candidate represents a local area
+ rare coalition
+ low chance of extremism
+ turnout rising since 2001
+ lack of perfect alternative

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19
Q

Weaknesses of fptp

A
  • you can be elected with less than half votes - ‘minority mandate’
  • lots of votes are wasted and don’t count if a candidate doesn’t win
  • surplus votes for candidates who already have a majority +1
    -votes for smaller parties seen as a waste of time as its got little chance of winning
  • elected
    -Safe seats
    -Tactical voting
    -Turnout has fallen below ‘historic norm’ since 1997
    -low proportionality
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20
Q

First past the post - 1951 case study

A

Labour got the most votes but the conservatives won

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21
Q

Fptp - 1974 case study

A

Conservatives got the most votes but labour won

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22
Q

What were the 4 criteria that the Jenkins report said an electoral system should do

A
  • broad proportionality
  • stable govt.
  • voters choice
  • constituency link
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23
Q

What system was recommended by the Jenkins report

A

AV+
Av and list system

24
Q

2011 referendum result for changing from fptp to av

A

Keep = 68%
Swap = 32%

25
Alternative vote
Majoritarian Still elected in constituencies Rank order candidates on a ballot paper Winning candidate must have 50% of 1st choices Candidate who is last is knocked out and the vote is reallocated until someone gets 50%
26
Strengths av
Must have 50% support Constituency link Low chance of extremism Less negative campaigning Reduces tactical voting Reduces safe seats More proportional than fptp Less surplus/wasted votes
27
Weaknesses of AV
Most popular candidate may not win as 3rd/4th may win through ‘run off’ Not proportional Takes longer to count
28
The list system
Proportional system Parties produce a heirarchal list of potential MPs for all the available seats Voters vote for a party not a candidate- total number of votes counted nationally for each party Loss of constituency link - may not have local connections to seats allocated Used for European Parliament elections
29
Strengths of list system
Most proportional system No wasted or surplus votes Quick results Simple system Can be used to ensure representation of women and ethnic groups Encourages high turnout
30
Weaknesses of list system
Higher rise of extremism Almost guarantees coalition govt. Unstable coalitions - high frequency of elections No constituency link
31
The supplementary vote
Majoritarian system Two columns on the ballot paper - put an x for first choice then x for second choice Need 50% of vote to be elected Votes are reallocated until one candidate gets 50% +
32
Strengths of supplementary vote
Encourages strategic campaign to target second choice votes Increased voter choice - first and second choice might count Simpler than av but still similar
33
Weaknesses of supplementary vote
Can lead to wasted votes Favours the main parties not smaller ones Encourages tactical voting
34
Single transferable vote
Proportional vote system Multi-member constituencies (5mps per constituency) Candidate gains a seat in the constituency if they achieve a quota of votes Rank candidates 1-5 Quota is decided by droop formula Quota = number of voters/number of available seats in a constituency +1 E.g 250,000 voters/5 seats + 1 = 50,001 votes If no candidate reaches quota then losing candidates eliminated and preferences are reallocated When a candidate reaches quota extra votes are reallocated to 2nd preferences
35
Strengths of STV
Different parties represented within a constituency - increased constituency link No surplus votes Highly proportional More women and ethnic minorities elected Encourages high turnout No safe seats
36
Weaknesses of STV
Long time to calculate vote Most complex system High chance of coalition Can lead to large constituencies Long ballot papers can be confusing
37
Additional member system
Hybrid system Used to elect Scottish parliament, welsh assembly and London assembly Voters have 2 ballot papers On the first is a list of candidates who want to be mp - vote with a x On the second ballot paper is a list of parties who wants seats in parliament ( a vote for a party is a vote to make more of their lists of candidates into MPs In Scotland voters elect 73 MPs from the first ballot and 56 from the 2nd
38
Strengths of AMS
More voter choice - can select preferred local candidate and have a separate national party vote Highly proportional Fair to all parties No wasted votes
39
Weaknesses of AMS
Can be confusing Not as proportional as lists or stv High chance of coalition
40
Case study arguments to KEEP fptp
- tradition - goes back to the representation of the peoples act 1919 - generally produces strong government with a majority - lack of perfect alternative - majority mandate increasing (33% in 2010 and 49% in 2015) - 2011 referendum to keep fptp won instead of swapping to AV -2015+2019 delivered the most socially diverse parliament - quick and simple - constituency link - squeeze out extremists - turnout increasing from 59% 2001 to 67% in 2019
41
Case study arguments to REFORM fptp
- 2/4 last GE (2010/2017) have not produced a clear winner with am overall majority -2010 coalition with conservatives with lib dem - took a week to decide during worst financial crisis - 2017 minority government under Theresa may - supply and confidence deal with DUP - data from 2015 election (ukip 3.9million votes and 1 seat) - 1983 election - labour = 28% and 25% with massive differences - 2019 conservative = 44% vote 56% seat (massive winners bonus) - 2015 (snp = 50% of vote 96% seats - winners bonus) - 2001 - 59% turnout = lowest ever - wasted/surplus votes, minority mandate, safe seats
42
AMS - Scottish election 2021
Established in 1999 Has 129 msps The Scottish party is commonly known as holyrood Laws that Scotland can pass - most aspects of day to day life, education, health and transport They can’t pass - international impacts - defence - foreign policy - immigration Voters can vote at age 16\ Voters vote for a constituency mp (73) and regional mp (56) Each person in Scotland is represented by 8msps
43
Jenkins commission
Parliamentary commission established by Tony Blair under the leadership of Roy Jenkins to investigate if electoral reform was needed Jenkins has been labour chancellor in the 1970’s but had defected to Newley formed SDP (social democrat party) His 4 commissions were - broad proportionality - stable govt - more voter choice - constituency link He recommended AV+ (85% elected through AV 15% with lists)
44
What are the 2 types of referendums in the uk
Local = more frequent since 1990s both approve or reject structural changes to local govt and to authorise local policies National = govt usually decides whether and when to call a referendum
45
Arguments for the use of referendums
- direct form of democracy - encourages citizens to have a say in important issues - 2016 EU referendum (33million votes 72% turnout) - could be used to give a clear and final answer where parliament is deadlock - referendum to remain in eec in 1975 - give mandate to an issue or legitimise constitutional change - gave legitimacy to Scotland having its own parliament in 1997 - provide a method of resolving tricky moral questions - Irish referendum on gay marriage 2015 - can prevent dangerous divisions within political parties over controversial issues - Harold Wilson and David Cameron hoped to resolve divisions on Europe within their parties
46
Arguments against the use of referendums
-too many can lead to apathy and low turnout - 22% turnout for north east assembly + 42% for av referendum - they are inconsistent with our parliamentary system - undermines representative democracy to allow them to duck big decisions - brexit 2016 - to complicated to be a yes/no answer - many complained it was MPs jobs to decide on big issues such as brexit - decisions are not always final govt can go back on their word - govt imposed elected mayors despite referendums rejection - govt can word the question in a certain way to favour a particular outcome - ‘should the uk stay’ should be ‘should the uk be a part of eu’
47
Positives of scottish independence ref 2014
- very high turnout - 85% - 16/17 year olds had the vote - three main parties would of widened devolution in result of a ‘no’ vote - healthy debate - decisive result 56%-44%
48
Negatives of Scottish independence ref 2014
- only 44% wanted independence - result did not settle the issue - SNP supports a 2nd vote - better together shared a negative campaign on the dangers of independence - pressure for 2nd vote after Scotts vote anonymously to remain in Brexit
49
Clement atlees views on referendum
‘Devices alien to our tradition’
50
Winston Churchill’s views on referendums
‘They are devices of demagogues and dictators’
51
Arguments for 16/17 year olds to be given the vote
-responsibilities without rights ( jobs, tax. Marriage) - youth interest is ignored (may cause new debates on issues such as education) - stronger political engagement ( 75% = 16/17y/o compared to 54% = 18-24y/o) - irrational cut off point (what about poorly educated or ignorant adults)
52
Arguments against the 16/17 year olds be given the right to vote
- ‘immature’ voters ( immature - not full citizens education is incomplete) - ‘preserving’ childhood’ ( don’t need heavy political matters) - differed representation (only differed for 2 years and 16/18 year old have similar views) - undermining turnout ( may decline turnout)
53
Arguments for giving prisoners the right to vote
-Harder to rehabilitate ( denying right to vote removes civil responsibility) - fundamental right ( human rights says franchise is fundamental) - alienation ( non-person further alienates them from society) - European rulings ( ruled that blanket ban on prisoners is a violation of HRA) - not a deterrent (no proof)
54
Arguments against giving prisoners the right to vote
- punishment ( should lose their say of how society is run) -deterrent ( threat of losing vote reduces crime) - undermines justice ( giving criminals the right to vote undermines principle of justice) - constituencies are undermined ( criminals address is prison)
55
Wider use of referendums in the USA - 2020
Oregon - first state to decriminalise the possession of hard drugs (cocaine, heroin, mushrooms) however those who manufacture and distribute hard drugs will face punishment Arizona, New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota legalised weed
56
2010 coalition background
- labour been in power since 1997 - economic crisis ‘banking crisis’ - nick clegg flourished under Lib Dem’s ‘cleggmania’
57
What’s a hung parliament
No party has an overall majority E.g -1974 lib/lab pact - 2010 conservative/libdem - 2017 supply and confidence deal conservative/DUP

Politics Paper 1 (10 decks)

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