Representative Democracy

Question 1

Professional Politicians (A)

Answer 1

• More likely to make politically informed decisions than members of the public
• Not swayed by emotion
• Public might not understand the complexities of a question
• A bill is debated in both chambers and is reviewed by SC -experts

Question 2

Burkean Principle (Representation)(A)

Answer 2

• Politicians can balance conflicting interests
• Ensures that minorities are represented and accounted for in debate
• Parliament usually leans towards the majority

Question 3

Accountability (A)

Answer 3

• Voters can unselect an MP if they’ve performed badly
• Mandate renewed at GEs
• Public can choose candidate with better policies

Question 4

Unrepresentative (D)

Answer 4

• MPs represent a metropolitan elite
• MPs could be disengaged from the public and not represent their interests
• in EU referendum - 52% of the public voted leave but 74% of MPs voted to stay

Question 5

Other interests (D)

Answer 5

• MPs can have second jobs which could have a conflict of interest
• In 2021, Owen Paterson resigned after he lobbied on behalf of companies that employed him
• Sir Geoffrey Cox was criticised for earning £900,000 a year from law as well as an MP salary

Question 6

Not representative of demographic (D)

Answer 6

• FPTP is a restrictive electoral system
• 2 party system created
• 34% female - national average is 51%
• 10% Ethnic minority - national average is 14%
• 7% LGBTQ - national average is 2.7%
• 29% Priv Edu - national average is 7%
• 19% from Oxbridge

Question 7

Ignores poorest in society (D)

Answer 7

• 2018, Hansard Society estimated that 83% of A/B people are likely to participate in politics
• Only 41% of D/E people were