Participation and voting behaviour- Types of democracy Flashcards
what is democracy
rule by the people/ people power
what is representative democracy
citizens elect representatives to formulate legislation and take decisions on their behalf
what is a liberal democracy
free and fair elections with key rights and responsibilities, right to vote extended among citizens, freedom of speech
what is a totalitarian democracy
Citizens are granted the right to vote but can’t choose between candidates representing parties other than the one in power –they are top down, citizens aren’t allowed any real input in policy making
what is a majoritarian democracy
where the government is based on the majority support of those who inhabit a given territory- potential of minorities being marginalised
what is consensual democracy
there is a more conscious effort to reach out in a more inclusive way to all groups in a given place, opposed to simply seeking to carry the support of the majority
what is parliamentary democracy
where the executive is drawn from the elected legislature and is in turn accountable to it
what is consultive democracy
more conventional representative democracy has elements of direct democracy like public inquiries, referendums or elements of e-democracy – thus increasing participation
what is a pluralist democracy
system of government that encourages participation and allows for free and fair competitions between competing interests
Where did direct democracy start
Athens, Greece 500 BC
what is direct democracy
where citizens are given a direct input into the decision making process eg referendums
where is an modern example of direct democracy
New England (town hall meetings)
what was Edmund Burkes quote on representative democracy
“your representative owes you not his industry but only his judgement and he betrays you if he sacrifices it to your opinion”
what is the Burkean view
individual is elected to represent them voters and they are expected to represent the interests of their constituents until the following election—but they are not delegates, they should use their own judgements
what are the YES arguments for direct democracy working with representative democracy
- Representatives have terms of 5years so, makes them more accountable between elections
- Many MPs simply do as the whips tell them instead of working as the Burkean model suggests they should, elements of direct democracy reminds them who they were elected to serve
- Increases participation between elections
