Political theory - Democracy Flashcards
What is representative democracy?
Electing individuals or professional politicians to make decisions on your behalf is know as representative democracy.
What is generally considered the most effective form of democracy?
Representative democracy.
How many levels of representatives do Scottish people have?
3: local councillors, MSP’s and MP’s
What is the key argument for Representative democracy?
Representative democracy allows the selection of people with expertise and experience
What was Plato’s argument that supports Representative Democracy?
Plato argued that common people do not know what is best for them, so it is better to have well-educated people to take control of government.
What is an example of British Chancellors who are highly educated in the necessary fields to be competent enough to effectively fulfil their duties?
Rishi Sunak and Philip Hammond studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford university.
What is the key argument against representative democracy?
It creates self-serving politicians, causing the public to become increasingly suspicious.
What is an example of politicians being self-serving?
The MP’s expenses scandal of 2009, where politicians were claiming taxpayers money for their own personal use.
What are some examples to support the claim that representative democracy is not representative of the country?
The majority of the UK has not gone to university, whereas over 20 prime ministers have attended the exclusive Eton college.
What is the most recent example of a PM who went to Eton college?
Boris Johnston
Overall, what can be concluded about representative democracy regarding experience and expertise?
While the actions of certain representatives could be criticised, there is a need for experts in certain fields who can make informed decisions in the interests of the country.
Regarding accountability and compromise, what are the advantages of representative democracy?
- Limits extremism
- Governments can be properly scrutinised
- Citizens are distance from politics and so compromise is easier
What are the three arguments regarding representative democracy?
- Experience and expertise
- Accountability and compromise
- Practicality
What is an example of the public mandating a parliamentary decision in favour of the government?
In 2019, Boris Johnston called a snap general election and woman a majority with 365 seats to pass a Brexit deal, claiming he had a legitimate mandate from the British people.
What is an example of a leader being held accountable when unable to find a compromise?
Between 2016 and 2019, Theresa May failed to reach a compromise for Brexit and was replaced by Boris Johnston.
What does Theresa May being replaced reveal about representative democracy?
That the public can hold the government to account by electing representatives they think will best help themselves and the country as a whole.
What is the primary argument against representative democracy, regarding being representative?
Fair representation of all facets of society
What is an example to support the idea that representative democracy may not wholly represent society?
There have only been 2 female prime ministers when females make up around 50% of the UK’s population.
What groups are likely to be under-represented?
- Working class
- Women
- Minority ethnic groups
Regarding practicality, what is generally considered about representative democracy?
Representative democracy is the most practical form of democracy.
Why is representative democracy the most practical form of democracy?
Because, in a large scale society of over 45 million eligible voters, it is far more sensible to elect representatives to make decisions on behalf of the public.
How many people does each MP represent in their constituency?
There are 650 MO’s who represent around 70,000 people each (their constituencies).
What is an argument against the practicality of representative democracy?
In the 21st century the increased use of referenda is necessary to improve democracy.
What is an argument to support the increased use of referenda in representative democracy?
For issues of high public interest such as Scottish independence and Eu membership, the use of referendums is essential to make a decision in the best interests of the public.
What are statistics to support the idea of increased referenda use in representative democracy?
The turnout for the 2016 EU referendum was 72% and the turnout for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum was 84%.
What do the EU and Scottish independence referendum turnouts tell us about voter apathy?
It shows that the public want a say in important issues and will turn up to represent their views.
What are the three arguments regarding direct democracy?
- Increased control
- More informed citizens
- Greater legitimacy
Regarding control, what is the advantage of direct democracy?
Direct democracy is genuinely democratic in action as it increases control.
What is a quote about direct democracy and purity?
It is stated that direct democracy is “the purist form of democracy”.
Why does direct democracy more accurately represent the views of the public?
Because the decisions are being made directly by the people, therefore the decision could not be more accurate of their views.
What are two countries that continually use direct democracy?
Switzerland and California use regular refernda on specific issues.
How many times a year to Swiss citizens vote on specific issues?
Swiss citizens vote around 4 times a year of specific issues.
What are some example of changes made by direct democracy?
Euthanasia clinics being legalised in Switzerland and marijuana being decriminalised in California.
Why would direct democracy be less effective in the UK compared with somewhere like Athens in ancient Greece?
The UK has a electorate of 45 million people, compared with 50,000 eligible male voters in ancient Athens (less than one MP’s constituency)
What can be concluded about direct democracy?
Direct democracy does increase control and can be effective in small societies. However, Plato was correct when he stated that this form of democracy is unworkable in larger societies.
Regarding informed citizens, what is an advantage of direct democracy?
Direct democracy creates more informed citizens because they are more involved in the political process. It creates more politically literate citizens.
What is an example of direct democracy creating more informed citizens?
The 2014 Scottish independence referendum and 2016 Eu withdrawal vote provided opportunities to inform the public on the merits of the respective arguments.
What is an argument against the idea that direct democracy creates a politically literate populous?
It is argued that the public would soon become bored of the constant civic duty. ‘Election fatigue’ would occur and lower participation rates would ensue.
What are examples to support the idea that ‘election fatigue’ would negatively impact direct democracy?
The turnout for UK general elections rarely exceeds 70%, Scottish parliament elections are generally around 60%. A significant minority already do not participate, this would be amplified by direct democracy.
Why is direct democracy more legitimate?
Direct democracy is more legitimate because people are more likely to accept decisions they made themselves. The decisions are more accurate to the true feelings of the people.
What are some examples of decisions being accepted due to direct democracy?
There was a devolution referendum in 1997 and a Scottish independence referendum in 2014. The outcomes of these have largely been accepted.
What is the argument about direct democracy increasing political instability?
Direct democracy has increase instability because citizens are given a binary choice in a very complicated political issue and may not have all the necessary information.
What is an example of direct democracy creating political instability?
52% of the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, many who voted remain argued that a ‘peoples vote’ on the details of the deal should be held as the people were not sure what Brexit would actually mean.
What is an example of instability increasing as a result of direct democracy regarding Scotland?
After the EU vote, Scotland requested another independence referendum, showing an increase in the UK’s political instability.
