TOPIC 1 - Nature of Democracy

Question 1

What is meant by Legitimacy?

Answer 1

This means “right to govern” and to “make laws” is RECOGNISED and the laws made will be enforced and obeyed by the people

Question 2

Are all governments legitimate?

Answer 2

No. The UK government is legitimate as it is universally recognised. However, the government of say Kosovo is disputed.

Question 3

What is meant by POWER?

Answer 3

POWER refers to the ability of an individual or a body to force others to do something they might otherwise not do.

Question 4

What are the three levels of POWER?

Answer 4

1. COERCION - This means force (often physical force)
2. POLITICAL POWER - involves the use of rewards and sanctions, legal authority and persuasion
3. INFLUENCE - means being able to affect how others act or think but no force is involved.

Question 5

In the democratic world, how is legitimacy achieved?

Answer 5

By election.

Question 6

What is meant by AUTHORITY?

Answer 6

Authority like legitimacy means “the right to exercise power”.

Question 7

What are the three sources of POWER?

Answer 7

1. TRADITION - power has been exercised for a long time and has been accepted for many years.
2. ELECTION - power may be exercised if an individual or party has been elected
3. CHARISMA - a person delivers authority through the force of their personality and their ability to inspire a following.

Question 8

What is meant by CONSENT within politics?

Answer 8

CONSENT refers to evidence that the people consent to be governed in a particular way and/or by a particular government.

Question 9

How can CONSENT be shown?

Answer 9

1. By free elections
2. By good turnouts in free elections
3. By a distinct lack of popular dissent
4. By clear demonstrations of support for government
5. By an explicit referendum (also known as plebiscite) to adopt a particular constitution.

Question 10

what is meant citizenship?

Answer 10

Citizenship grants a person certain rights (freedom of expression, of movement, of thought, of association) and also carries certain obligations (to obey laws, to pay taxes, possibly to defend the country).

Question 11

Provide a general definition for democracy?

Answer 11

Any system of government where the people have access to independent information and are able to influence government decisions.

Question 12

What are the two main forms of democracy?

Answer 12

Direct and representative democracy.

Question 13

Give 6 features of a modern democracy

Answer 13

1. There is a peaceful transition of power from one government to the next.
2. There are free and fair regular elections.
3. People have open access to independent information (incl. press and other media).
4. Government should be accountable to the people and representative institutions.
5. There is a high degree of freedom for individuals and groups.
6. Different political ideologies and beliefs are tolerated.
7. The rule of law applies - all are equal under the law.
8. Government operates in the broad interests f the people.

Question 14

What is direct democracy?

Answer 14

Decisions - Consultation - Initiative

1. People make the decisions - usually through referendums.
2. People are directly consulted on political decisions - known as consultative democracy.
3. People may take the initiative in creating political change (ie popular action provokes a political decision).

Question 15

What is representative democracy?

Answer 15

1. People elect representatives.
2. The people do not make most decisions themselves but delegate that power to their representatives
3. There are political parties that represent different sections of society, interests and causes.
4. There are representative assemblies that express the will of the people and of sections of society.

Question 16

How does representation operate in the UK?

Answer 16

MPs (members of parliament) represent

1. their constituency (such as Northampton South, Northampton North etc).
2. causes (banning of fox hunting or seeking to extend voting to 16 year olds).
3. national interest (for or against Brexit)
4. their political party and manifesto

Question 17

Apart from MPs how else does representation work in the UK?

Answer 17

1. Political parties have a representation function (even though they may not have any MPs - UKIP’s Nigel Farage is not an MP).
2. Pressure Groups represent interests and causes
3. The House of Commons as a whole can represent the national interest.
4. The House of Lords consists of many peers who represent sections of society and prominent causes as well as national interest.

Question 18

What is a pluralist democracy?

Answer 18

1. Multiple parties and political associations are allowed to operate.
2. Different political beliefs are tolerated and allowed to flourish.
3. There are many sources of independent information and opinion through the media.
4. Power is dispersed among the different individuals, bodies and institutions rather than being concerned in one or a few locations.

Question 19

Give an example of a pluralist democracy.

Answer 19

USA

Question 20

What is a liberal democracy?

Answer 20

A democracy where:

1. Individual liberties are respected and well protected.
2. There is a strong constitution that limits the powers of government.
3. Government features strong internal checks and balances
4. There is a high level of political toleration.

Question 21

Give an example of a liberal democracy

Answer 21

Germany.