TYPES, FEATURES & EVALUATIONS OF DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION Flashcards
What are the features of direct democracy
- INDIVIDUALS EXPRESS OPINIONS THEMSELVES
- THERE WAS LIMITED SUFFRAGE TO BEGIN WITH; ADULT MALE CITIZENS WOULD TAKE PART IN DECISION MAKING & PUBLIC MEETINGS
- BASED ON THE CONCEPT MAJORITY RULE
what are the features of representative democracy
PEOPLE ELECT REPRESENTATIVES WHO MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF MERELY TAKING INSTRUCTION FROM VOTERS
- THEY’RE EXPECTED TO EXERCISE THEIR JUDGEMENT. IF VOTERS ARE UNHAPPY, REPS WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE AND REMOVED AT THE NEXT ELECTION
- ALL CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR REPRESENTATIVES; THEY PASS THEIR AUTHORITY TO THEM
- ELECTIONS ARE FREE AND FAIR
What are the types of democracy
- Liberal
- majoritarian
- parliamentary
- presidential
- representative
Strengths of uk democracy
- multiple elections
- parliamentary accountability
- party variety
- universal suffrage
- impartial watchdog
- wide range of pressure groups
WEAKNESSES of UK democracy
- low voter turnout
- unelected institutions
- influence of dominant pressure groups
- lack of written constitution
- limited electoral commission action
- two party dominance
strengths of Westminster model
VOTERS ARE PRESENTED WITH A CLEAR CHOICE BETWEEN THE GOVERNING PARTY & THE OPPOSITION
THE RULE OF LAW DEFENDS BASIC CIVIL LIBERTIES AND ENSURES THAT POWER IS NOT EXERCISED ARBITRARILY. MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW
GOVERNMENT IS REPRESENTATIVE, RESPONSIBLE & ACCOUNTABLE. GOVERNMENT ANSWERS TO PARLIAMENT AND THE PUBLIC. PARLIAMENT CAN FORCE THE GOVERNMENT OR A MINISTER TO RESIGN IF THEY FAIL THEIR DUTIES
STRONG, EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT. THE SINGLE MEMBER PLURALITY ELECTORAL SYSTEM CREATES A SINGLE PARTY GOVERNMENT WITH A MAJORITY, ALLOWING IT TO PASS LAWS AND KEEP ITS PROMISES TO VOTERS
STRONG, EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT. THE SINGLE MEMBER PLURALITY ELECTORAL SYSTEM CREATES A SINGLE PARTY GOVERNMENT WITH A MAJORITY, ALLOWING IT TO PASS LAWS AND KEEP ITS PROMISES TO VOTERS
Weaknesses of Westminster model
THERE ARE LIMITED OPPORTUNITIEES FOR POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
THE CONCENTRATION OF CENTRALISED POWER MEANS THE DECISIONS AREN’T TAKEN CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE
THERE’S NOT A STRONG RIGHTS CULTURE: GOVERNMENT CAN USE ORDINARY LEGISLATION OR EXECUTIVE POWERS TO RESTRICT THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS
LACK OF CHECKS AND BALANCES. WITH PARLIAMENT HAVING SO MUCH POWER AND GOVERNMENT OFTEN CONTROLLING IT, THERE AREN’T ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES AND GUARDS IN PLACE TO PREVENT GOVERNMENT ACTING IN ITS OWN SELF-INTERST. THIS IS SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS AN ELECTIVE DICTATORSHIP
