Representative Democracy

Question 1

What is democracy?

Answer 1

A system of political decision making where the people are the ultimate decision makers

Question 2

What’s representative democracy?

Answer 2

A democracy where citizens do not make the most political decisions directly but instead elect a representative to make the political decisions in their behalf

Question 3

What’s a cabinet reshuffle?

Answer 3

Technically did elect the MPs but we did not select there for the specific roles they take on

Question 4

House of Lords

Answer 4

Queen appoints then and public does not have a say

Question 5

Who is Pope Francis?

Answer 5

Representative of catholic community

Question 6

The six types of representations

Answer 6

Social - national interest - constituency - party - occupational - casual

Question 7

What’s a social representation?

Answer 7

They have the same characteristics of a population “microcosm”

Question 8

What is a constituency?

Answer 8

A specific geographical area with local issues such as railway or airport, redress grievances and whole area

Question 9

What is a party?

Answer 9

A group of politicians in a political party

Question 10

What’s occupational representation?

Answer 10

On behalf of certain sectors

Question 11

What is casual representation?

Answer 11

Based on specific ideas or principles

Question 12

Types of elections where we can elect representatives

Answer 12

Mayoral - general - devolved

Question 13

What is substantive representation?

Answer 13

When someone else represents you because of your ideas or interests

Question 14

What is descriptive representation?

Answer 14

When someone represents you because they look or symbolise you

Question 15

How often are the general elections?

Answer 15

Every five years

Question 16

Around how many MPs are in the UK parliament in Westminster?

Answer 16

650

Question 17

What is a devolved election?

Answer 17

When Scotland wakes and not then Ireland hold deprecate elections in their own country’s away from the Westminster government

Question 18

What does devolved elections deal with?

Answer 18

They don’t deal with overall uk policy but with problems specific to their regions

Question 19

Advantages of representative democracy

Answer 19

Professional politicians make complex decisions - minority views are considered and upheld - elected politicians are held to account by the people - the most practical form of democrats

Question 20

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 20

Citizens are disengaged from politics - tightly controlled parties result in politicians lacking independence - politicians lacking independence - politicians are skilled at swerving accountability and passing the buck - politicians are open to corruption and self interest

Question 21

Issues with the practicality of representative democracy

Answer 21

A- it’s the only practical system
D- may lead to political disengagement

Question 22

Issues with the representation of issues in representative democracy

Answer 22

A- parties give people simple distinct and clearly understandable choices
D- parties may not represent what people want or not provide enough options

Question 23

Issues with minority rights in representative democracy

Answer 23

A- Reduces the chance of a ‘tyranny of the majority’ over minorities
D- elections only take place every five years and politicians are very good at avoiding accountability

Question 24

Issues with ability to hold representatives to account in representative democracy

Answer 24

A- representatives can be held to account through regular elections which maintains legitimacy
D- elections only take place every five years and politicians are very good at avoiding accountability

Question 25

Issues with the quality of political decision making

Answer 25

A- politicians are theoretically better informed than the average citizen about complex political issues which leads to better decision making
D- politicians may be corrupt or incompetent or may make decisions based on what their party wants rather than what the citizens want

Question 26

Why can representative democracy lead to apathy?

Answer 26

Apathy- disengaged
We as a society become disengaged in politics are we have ‘hand over’ the decision making to the representatives and will switch off from learning about politics and important issues of our times which is not good for the long term health of our democracy