Mr Scriven - Democracy/Participation

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Different forms of political participation

Answer 3

-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

Question 4

Evidence of increased participation

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Decreasing participation evidence

Answer 5

Voting
Political programmes
Joining a political party

Question 6

First past the post - key facts

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Evidence of the decline of party membership

Answer 7

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

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Turnout comparison to other countries 2012 - fptp

Answer 9

• french presidential election = 80%
• Germany = 71%
• Switzerland = 47%

Question 10

Turnout comparison to other elections in the uk 2012 - fptp

Answer 10

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

Question 11

How does fptp work

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Elections results - case study

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Turnout declining

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What’s the highest ever turnout been in the uk

Answer 14

Scottish independence referendum - 85%

Question 15

What are the majoritarian systems

Answer 15

Fptp
Alternative vote
Supplementary vote

Question 16

What are the proportional systems

Answer 16

List systems
Single transferable vote

Question 17

Hybrid system

Answer 17

Combo of majoritarian system and proportional = additional member system

Question 18

Strengths of fptp

Answer 18

+ 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

Question 19

Weaknesses of fptp

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

First past the post - 1951 case study

Answer 20

Labour got the most votes but the conservatives won

Question 21

Fptp - 1974 case study

Answer 21

Conservatives got the most votes but labour won

Question 22

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

Answer 22

• broad proportionality
• stable govt.
• voters choice
• constituency link

Question 23

What system was recommended by the Jenkins report

Answer 23

AV+
Av and list system

Question 24

2011 referendum result for changing from fptp to av

Answer 24

Keep = 68%
Swap = 32%

Question 25

Alternative vote

Answer 25

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%

Question 26

Strengths av

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Weaknesses of AV

Answer 27

Most popular candidate may not win as 3rd/4th may win through ‘run off’
Not proportional
Takes longer to count

Question 28

The list system

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Strengths of list system

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Weaknesses of list system

Answer 30

Higher rise of extremism
Almost guarantees coalition govt.
Unstable coalitions - high frequency of elections
No constituency link

Question 31

The supplementary vote

Answer 31

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% +

Question 32

Strengths of supplementary vote

Answer 32

Encourages strategic campaign to target second choice votes
Increased voter choice - first and second choice might count
Simpler than av but still similar

Question 33

Weaknesses of supplementary vote

Answer 33

Can lead to wasted votes
Favours the main parties not smaller ones
Encourages tactical voting

Question 34

Single transferable vote

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Strengths of STV

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Weaknesses of STV

Answer 36

Long time to calculate vote
Most complex system
High chance of coalition
Can lead to large constituencies
Long ballot papers can be confusing

Question 37

Additional member system

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Strengths of AMS

Answer 38

More voter choice - can select preferred local candidate and have a separate national party vote
Highly proportional
Fair to all parties
No wasted votes

Question 39

Weaknesses of AMS

Answer 39

Can be confusing
Not as proportional as lists or stv
High chance of coalition

Question 40

Case study arguments to KEEP fptp

Answer 40

• 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

Question 41

Case study arguments to REFORM fptp

Answer 41

• 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

Question 42

AMS - Scottish election 2021

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Jenkins commission

Answer 43

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)

Question 44

What are the 2 types of referendums in the uk

Answer 44

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

Question 45

Arguments for the use of referendums

Answer 45

• 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

Question 46

Arguments against the use of referendums

Answer 46

-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’

Question 47

Positives of scottish independence ref 2014

Answer 47

• 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%

Question 48

Negatives of Scottish independence ref 2014

Answer 48

• 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

Question 49

Clement atlees views on referendum

Answer 49

‘Devices alien to our tradition’

Question 50

Winston Churchill’s views on referendums

Answer 50

‘They are devices of demagogues and dictators’

Question 51

Arguments for 16/17 year olds to be given the vote

Answer 51

-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)

Question 52

Arguments against the 16/17 year olds be given the right to vote

Answer 52

• ‘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)

Question 53

Arguments for giving prisoners the right to vote

Answer 53

-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)

Question 54

Arguments against giving prisoners the right to vote

Answer 54

• 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)

Question 55

Wider use of referendums in the USA - 2020

Answer 55

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

Question 56

2010 coalition background

Answer 56

• labour been in power since 1997
• economic crisis ‘banking crisis’
• nick clegg flourished under Lib Dem’s ‘cleggmania’

Question 57

What’s a hung parliament

Answer 57

No party has an overall majority
E.g
-1974 lib/lab pact
- 2010 conservative/libdem
- 2017 supply and confidence deal conservative/DUP