Paper 1: Democracy and Participation Flashcards
Leader of Lib Dems
Vince Cable
Leader of SNP
Nichola Sturgeon
Leader of UKIP
Gerrard Bratten
Leader of Green Party
Caroline Lucas + Jonathan Bartley
Leader of DUP
Arlene Foster
Leader of Sinn Fein
Mary Lou McDonald
Leader of Plaid Cymru
Leanne Wood
Legitimacy definition
The right to rule following an election
Direct Democracy definition
All people represent their opinions themselves and not through representatives
Indirect/Representative Democracy definition
Where someone acts on behalf of the people and exercise political choice
Pluralist Democracy definition
Where there’s lots of choice for a voter e.g pressure groups, lots of political parties and power is widely dispersed
Democratic Deficit definition
Criticism of any political system where decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy e.g people not voting
Participation Crisis definition
Lack of engagement by a significant number of people e.g not voting or not participating in petitions etc.
Franchise/Suffrage definition
The people who are allowed to vote
Think Tanks definition
A body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain issue as politicians aren’t experts on the specific issue
Lobbyists definition
Payed professionals to try and persuade politicians using evidence, acting in their clients’ interest
Bicameral Legislature definition
A particular body of government that consists of two legislative houses or chambers
Liberal Democracy definition
Normally incorporates a Bill of Rights to protect the interests of individuals and minorities. This is to counter ‘Tyranny of the majority’
What does a parliamentary democracy include?
Parliament is sovereign and has ultimate power
Laws will only be enforced if legitimised by UK parliament
Govt. is drawn from parliament and is part of parliament
Parliament ensures geographical representation of the UK
Arguments for direct democracy
Pure form of democracy, no corruption of representatives
Improves participation as individual voices heard
Increases public engagement hence legitimacy
Gives equal weight to all votes
Arguments against direct democracy
Not practical due to no. of issues and size of population
Populist outcomes, ppl vote on short-term measures instead of greater good
Minority groups may be overlooked (tyranny of majority)
Low turnouts
Emotional responses
Referendums easy way to get out of issue
What is a referendum?
A popular vote where people asked to determine an important political or constitutional issue directly
When was the first Britain wide referendum?
1975 on British membership of the EEC
What is the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty?
Principle in UK that parliament (legislature) is the supreme law making body therefore could go against result of referendum
Arguments for indirect (representative) democracy
Practical system in large state
Parties give people a real choice of representation
More chance for minority parties
Representatives can be held to account
Politicians better informed than public (supposedly)
Arguments against indirect (representative) democracy
Ppl may hand responsibility to politicians (reduce participation)
Parties and pressure groups often run on own agenda, not representing ppl
Minorities still underrepresented
Politicians only held to account every 5 years
What is the normal layout for a referendum?
Normally only 1 question
Exception in 1997 on Scottish devolution where 2 questions 1 on devolution and 1 on tax varying powers
What are the three ways that non-participation in elections can be explained?
Could be absent from country or ill
‘apathy’ where voter can’t be bothered or not interested or has other priorities
‘abstention’ which is the conscious decision not to vote i.e feel their vote is wasted
What is a passive party member?
A supporter that doesn’t get involved in day-to-day activities of party.
May have joined for financial and moral supporter or to become eligible to participate in leadership election
What is an active party member?
May attend regular party meetings, campaign and canvass in local community or use media to show support
What is the membership of the Labour party as of April 2018 and how many of these are ‘full members’?
Just over 540,000 300,000 are ‘full members’
How many members did the Tories have in 1953
Just under 3 million
What is the membership of the Tories as of March 2018?
124,000 people
In 2016, what % of the electorate were members of a political party?
1.6%
In 1983, what % of the electorate were members of the Tories, Labour or Lib Dems parties?
3.8%